[Squaredancing] Re: Calling for a Deaf Person

[Mike Gormley]

Mike Gormley wrote:

> Kenritucci at aol.com wrote:
>
>> A local club is going to be having a totally deaf person attempt to 
>> take lessons this year. They asked me if I could solicit any ideas 
>> out there of callers/clubs who might have attempted to do this and 
>> how it was handled.
>>  
>> Has anyone ever attempted this?
>>  
>> Thanks,
>>  
>> Ken
>
> The first thought I would have is if he can hear a "little" to use a 
> hearing enhancement system tuned strictly to the callers voice.
>
> The second thought I have is to keep the choreo to set figures such as 
> done in Eastern Square Dancing.  The deaf dancer could then be in the 
> #4 position of the square and know what to do by watching the others 
> first.   
>
> If  Modern Western Square Dance movements are used, try standard 
> figures.   Advise the deaf dancer in advance the figure to be used 
> before it is called.  The figures could be numbered.   The dancer and 
> the caller  would memorize the figure number.  The dancer could square 
> up in the number 2, 3 or 4 position of the square, so he could glance 
> over to the caller for "hand signal" of the next figure to be 
> called.   The signal would be given during the Promenade Home.
>
> Maybe there is  some way to take a radio transmitter keyed to the 
> Beats per Minute  of the music,  and transmit it to the receiver worn 
> by the deaf person.  The difference is the receiver would be like a 
> vibrator attached to his body.   He could then "feel" the beat and 
> "dance away".  If a cell phone can vibrate as a ringer, why can't any 
> such receiver vibrate in 128 pulses per minute?  Or maybe the signal 
> could be a small LED light tied to the BPM attached to his glasses.
>
> I know the later part of this message is a little wild, but I am 
> brainstorming.  Maybe my Son, the inventor, can come up with something.
>
> Mike Gormley
> Florida Keys


Additional comments from Mike Gormley:  

I would suggest that what we teach to ALL DANCERS, be strongly 
emphasized AGAIN TO ALL DANCERS under this circumstance of dancing in a 
square with a deaf person part of it.  What I am talking about  is:   
proper positioning after each call (how does a Dosado, a DoPaso or a 
Swing end?), reach out an touch somebody to establish your partner or 
the line you are in, how to help someone else in a square without 
pushing or pulling, etc.   If the other dancers are not in position for 
each call or touching hands, they can't help others who are limited or 
who are having troubles hearing the calls. 

Mike Gormley
Florida Keys
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