Seneca Park Zoo Celebrates Deaf Culture Awareness

Seneca Park Zoo will celebrate its fourth annual Deaf Culture Awareness Day this Saturday, with a full day of programming including American Sign Language (ASL)- interpreted programs and activities. In collaboration with the Rochester School for the Deaf, and Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID), the Zoo will be offering inclusive programming including American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted programs, interactive exhibits, and activities throughout the day.

• All presentations will include spoken and ASL interpretation, provided pro bono

by students from RIT/NTID's Bachelor of Science in Interpreting program.

• ASL Story Time with voice interpretation at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

• Five Insider Chats: Red Panda at 10:30 am; Elephant at noon; Alpaca at 1:30

pm; Sand Hill Crane at 2:30 pm, and; Baboon at 3:30 pm

• The Zoo's Nature Cart will explore autumn backyard birding

• Make your own pinecone bird feeder to take home with you

• Demos of new technology by Sign-Speak

• Three ZooTeen stations throughout the Zoo

One of the new features this year is the Zoo’s partnership with Sign-Speak, a company working to use technology to provide automated ASL interpretation, captions, and translation. They will be on site Saturday morning providing demos of their platform.

“Sign-Speak has grown alongside the Rochester community with a mission to expand access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people,” said Yamillet Payano, CEO & Co- Founder.” As a Deaf-owned company, we deeply value the experience Seneca Park Zoo creates and its commitment to making that experience more accessible to our community, so of course we love this chance to partner with the Zoo!”

“Deaf Culture Day at Seneca Park Zoo is a wonderful opportunity for deaf, hard-of- hearing, and hearing people to come together, celebrate the richness of Deaf culture and American Sign Language, and experience all the zoo has to offer in an inclusive environment,” said Caroline Solomon, president of Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. “The event also gives NTID sign language interpreting students valuable real-world experience as they provide interpreting services for the event. We are proud to support community partners like Seneca Park Zoo that recognize accessibility as an essential part of creating meaningful, welcoming experiences for everyone.”

"Zoos and aquariums are places of joy and wonder, where everyone should feel welcomed and inspired to fall in love with the living world." said Pamela Reed Sanchez, CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. "Our partnerships with Rochester School for the Deaf and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf have made this event possible in a multitude of ways for several years. We are proud to work together to ensure the Zoo is a place of belonging for all.”

The Zoo’s commitment to accessibility and to serving our region’s deaf and hard of hearing community extends well beyond this annual event. Over the past year, a growing number of Zoo staff and volunteers have participated in introductory ASL classes, and families may also find themselves greeted in ASL by staff looking to practice their skills.

The Zoo has also clarified its admission policy on providing complimentary admission for a caregiver, including a family member or friend serving as an interpreter for a deaf guest or as a guide for blind or visually impaired guest. In addition, ASL signs for appropriate 20 animal species can be found throughout the Zoo, giving both deaf and hearing guests an opportunity to learn the ASL sign for the animals they encounter.

“Deaf Culture Awareness Day reflects the kind of Zoo we are working to be every day: a place where everyone feels welcome, included, and able to connect with wildlife,” said Seneca Park Zoo Director Bob Lee. “This work goes well beyond a single event. From staff learning ASL to more accessible programs and experiences throughout the Zoo, we want to continue listening, learning, and removing barriers so more people can fully experience everything Seneca Park Zoo has to offer.”