Windsor Light Music Theatre first to offer a sign language interpreter

People with hearing loss will have access to an interpreter in a musical for the first time in Windsor.  Windsor Light Music Theatre is taking a progressive step forward this holiday season with their performance of A Christmas Story: the Musical being the first musical in Windsor to offer a sign language interpreter  

“It’s good to see theatres taking a step in the right direction to help those with hearing conditions,” former sign language interpreter, Ethan Chevalier said. “I have seen so many people who suffer from hearing loss show interest in shows only to learn they aren’t accessible to their individual conditions.”  

This initiative may spark a larger motion that will help more people suffering from hearing loss experience previously inaccessible plays and performances.  This addition of a sign language interpreter is being seen in a positive light. 

“I think it’s great as a community to add initiatives like this, as a community it’s our job to help everyone where they need it,” Ethan Drouillard said, “just because you’re hard of hearing, doesn’t mean you should be excluded from the better things in life.”   

Hearing loss is quickly becoming a rising cause of concern, with 38 per cent of adults suffering from some form of hearing loss according to Statistics Canada.  This may also be beneficial to older age groups with over 50 per cent of people ages between 51 and 59 suffering from hearing loss. That number shoots up to 77 per cent for ages 60 and up. 

The inclusion of sign language interpreters into events like these is relatively new, however, certain musicians are adding interpreters to their concerts to help spread their musical message to a wider audience.  Canada has also moved to include subtitles in movie theatres for those who ask.  There have been several improvements like those previously mentioned to help people hard of hearing, this may seem like a small step, but one small step for man is one big leap for those hard of hearing.