Aquarium of Niagara partners with People Inc. to offer ASL-interpreted presentations

Aquarium promotes accessibility with return of annual Deaf Culture Awareness Weekend

Aquarium of Niagara press release

In recognition of Deaf Awareness Month, the Aquarium of Niagara is once again partnering with People Inc. to enhance the accessibility of its daily talks and presentations for the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing loss community. 

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, all talks and presentations at the venue will feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. Interpreters from St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo will also be offering an ASL story time at the Aquarium of Niagara’s expansion, Great Lakes 360, on Saturday.

People Inc. stewards the community by promoting communication access, awareness and opportunities for the local deaf community. With their help, the Aquarium of Niagara has not only taken steps to promote accessibility through events and programming, but also to develop long-term solutions such as prerecorded videos of ASL-interpreted facts about various animals and exhibits that will soon be available on-demand on the Aquarium of Niagara’s website.

“Members of the deaf community should have the same opportunities to experience all that our community has to offer,” People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey said. “Providing ASL interpretation at events like these helps open the door to new experiences, new connections and a stronger sense of belonging. We’re proud to partner with the Aquarium of Niagara to help make that possible.”

This weekend bolsters the Aquarium of Niagara’s commitment to serving as a quality-of-life resource to the community and to fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all. The initiative aligns with the venue’s other inclusive programming offerings, including sensory-friendly events and free community celebrations on the organization’s outdoor plaza featuring access to the first floor.

“Inviting people to connect with the aquatic world means striving to be accessible for everyone,” said Chad Fifer, president and CEO of the Aquarium of Niagara. “Thanks to the guidance and expertise of People Inc., Deaf Awareness Weekend offers an immediate opportunity for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to engage with the Aquarium, and solidifies our commitment to accessibility as a key goal of our organization.”

The Aquarium of Niagara’s daily schedule of programming includes penguin, sea lion, seal and sea turtle presentations, along with two feeding demonstrations. Notably, interpreters will be present for presentations in the newly renovated outdoor seal habitat featuring the Aquarium of Niagara’s newest addition, a rescued harbor seal named Papita. The full schedule can be viewed here. 

The Aquarium of Niagara is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets are available online at aquariumofniagara.org.