Deaf children find rewarding work at Six Flags
By ALEXA GARCIA-DITTA
ARLINGTON — Six Flags guests can hear six international languages
spoken by All American Cafe employees this summer — and see one
signed.
Morgan Campbell and Laura Lower, both 16 and of Arlington, are two of
11 deaf employees on staff. Five days a week, they don
highlighter-yellow shirts and prepare hamburger vegetables and
condiments at the restaurant alongside peers who can hear. Campbell
and Lower, students at the Texas School for the Deaf, communicate with
each other through American Sign Language.
“I’ve met a lot of friendly people here,” Campbell said through the
park’s interpreter, Cindy Whitley. “I love being here every day and
learning to communicate with people.”
Deaf employees also work at food stands, park gates and guest
services. The park accepts applicants 15 and older all year and has
staffed as many as 30 deaf workers at one time, Whitley said.
“In general this experience benefits everyone,” Whitley said.
“We’re all learning to be flexible and deal with people not like
ourselves.”
Six Flags employs Texas School for the Deaf students during the
school year as well. The school, in Austin, buses students to
Arlington on weekends to work. Whitley and other interpreters help
smooth communication among Six Flags employees.
TSD Superintendent Claire Bugon encourages summer jobs for students
and hopes they will develop a solid work ethic.
“A place like Six Flags is such a fun place to work,” she said.
“It’s also good for the hearing population because they get exposure
to another language, American Sign Language.”
‘I love it here’
Campbell prefers mingling with patrons and earning extra money to
sitting at home during the summers. She said that most park guests can
read her lips but that when they have difficulty communicating, they
whip out pens and paper.
“Here, I’m working and interacting with so many different types of
people,” she said. “I’m seeing a different part of life.”
Campbell knew about her grandmother’s experience working for the
park and was eager to start.
Lower was wary at first, but after she applied, in April, her
excitement grew.
“My mom helped me fill out my forms and communicate,” Lower said
through Whitley. “And now I love it here.”
Being deaf and working at Six Flags comes with challenges. Campbell
said that when she and Lower wander the park on their breaks, they get
nervous that guests will ask them for directions.
“If you don’t have paper, it’s awkward,” she said. “We usually
write notes and point at maps to show them.”
The two girls called their job “awesome” and hope that more deaf
students and adults will apply.
“This is the best you can have as your first job,” Campbell said
through Whitley.
——————————————————————————–
How to apply http://www.sixflagsjobs.com
or 817-640-8900 ext. 4200
ALEXA GARCIA-DITTA, 817-548-5421
Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/855/story/744169.html
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