TCC interpreters expand access during Deaf Day at Fort Worth Zoo

Tarrant County College students, faculty and staff provided sign language interpretation during Deaf Day at the Fort Worth Zoo. The event served approximately 150 Deaf community members.

Tarrant County College students, faculty and staff helped make Deaf Day at the Fort Worth Zoo accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors on Sept. 19.

The annual event provided sign language interpretation for zookeeper chats, giraffe feedings and other zoo experiences. Eighteen TCC students, 11 faculty and staff members, and nine community volunteers served approximately 150 Deaf community members. The Texas Education Agency outreach office also provided information to parents of Deaf children.

“This is our fourth annual Deaf Day at the Fort Worth Zoo. Attendance seems to increase every year,” said Maureen Denner, director of TCC’s Sign Language Interpreting program. “The day provides access for the Deaf community to enjoy the zoo just like everyone else.”

Denner said the event gives Deaf people and their families opportunities to discuss what they learned, what they talked about and which animals they liked, much as hearing families do after a visit.

Fort Worth Zoo marketing director Avery Elander said the zoo is committed to ensuring it can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone. “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with TCC for this annual event. It has become a special tradition for our community,” Elander said.

For TCC interpreting students Natalie Trevino and Efrain Plasencia, the event also offered valuable experience. Trevino, who has Deaf family members, said the communication access provided by the zoo made the event especially meaningful. Plasencia said conversations with Deaf evaluators and community members gave him feedback that helped him become a better interpreter.

Deaf Day contributes to the 432 internship and field hours required for students to complete TCC’s Associate of Applied Science in sign language interpretation and qualify for Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters credentialing.

Denner said the event exposes interpreting interns to different settings and vocabulary while preparing them for careers serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in schools, healthcare settings and community organizations.