OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Members of the Deaf community are getting a special visit from Santa Claus who speaks their language.
Deaf Santa Claus, also known as Santa Charles, made a stop at Gaylord Palms on Monday.
Santa Charles communicates with children using American Sign Language, ASL, and is one of the few Deaf Santas in the country.
As a graduate of the International University of Santa Claus, Santa Charles said he feels a greater connection to guests who visit with him because he has a full understanding of the Deaf experience.
“I can see all the deaf kids, the glisten in their eyes, the glow,” Santa Charles said. “A deaf Santa Claus that can sign? It brings so much joy to be able to communicate with each other, interact. We’re connecting on a cultural level as well.”
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For the holiday season, Santa Charles is visiting each Gaylord Palms location in the United States.
On Monday, families got a special tour from Deaf Santa Claus through “ICE!” - an attraction that features 2 million pounds of ice, hand-carved into larger-than-life characters and scenes from the animated special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Brian Steinhoff lives in Central Florida and brought his family for the visit.
“This Santa actually knows my language, so it’s fantastic,” Steinhoff said. “I’m 40 and this is the first time I’ve gotten to see a Deaf Santa.”
Steinhoff’s two daughters are children of Deaf Adults, or CODA.
“To have Santa, somebody who’s a role model, and to use ASL and use a slightly different style than they see at home, it’s a great opportunity to have them interact and see all the other deaf people and see how everybody communicates here,” Steinhoff said.
The communication can speak volumes when it comes from Saint Nick himself and those who visited Monday said it’s something they’ll cherish well beyond Christmas.
“There is a large deaf community here so it is great to get the word out about this event and I’m happy to see how many people were able to show up,” Steinhoff said.
For details about Christmas at Gaylord Palms, click here.
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