Contributed by Debbie Clason, staff writer for Healthy Hearing | Wednesday, November 18th, 20152015-11-18T00:00:00-0600
Unless your name is Rumpelstiltskin, you’ve likely heard of Las Vegas and its reputation as a resort town where 24-hour casinos and endless entertainment draw millions of visitors every year. While fully deserving of its wild reputation for gaming and parties, there’s more to Las Vegas than its gambling history.
“The City of Lights” has entertainment for everyone. Assistive listening devices are available at many venues but often require two weeks notice for reservations.
Located in the southern Nevada desert, the city was built during the 1950s and 1960s with money from organized crime, Wall Street banks, union pension funds, the Mormon Church and the Princeton University endowment. Thanks to notables like Howard Hughes and Steve Wynn, mega-casinos began dotting the Las Vegas skyline in the mid-1960s. The resorts attracted tourists from all over the world, growing from a modest 8 million a year by 1954 to nearly 40 million in 2008. Even if you’re not a gaming fan, you can still find something to do in Las Vegas. Take in a show at one of the world-class theaters, play outdoors in one of the beautiful recreation areas, or immerse yourself in one of the city’s many intriguing museums. We’ve listed a few attractions and organizations with hearing-accessible services, find others by calling ahead before you visit.
Arts and culture
Smith Center for the Performing Arts 361 Symphony Park Ave. Las Vegas, Nevada 89106 Located in downtown Las Vegas, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a five-acre, world-class performing arts center consisting of three theaters where you can buy tickets for Broadway, music, theater, jazz, classical and dance in Las Vegas. Assistive listening devices (infrared ALD) are available at most performances free of charge upon request at the patron services desk in the grand lobby of Reynolds Hall. This service is also available at select performances in Troesch Studio Theater and Cabaret Jazz by request to a front of house representative. A driver’s license or state-issued ID will be held until the device is returned after the performance.
Entertainment
According to a popular Las Vegas travel site, most of the showrooms, lounges and restaurants in the hotels have assistive listening devices available at the showroom or lounge entrance. We’ve listed details for a couple of the more popular venues for your convenience; call ahead before you reserve lodging at another property to confirm services are available. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 See world-class entertainers such as Elton John, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Jerry Seinfeld live at the Colosseum, a $95 million facility which seats up to 4,300 patrons. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace was recognized as Billboard magazine’s Venue of the Decade: 2000-2009 and is home to some of the greatest entertainers in the world. Complimentary ALDs are available at the Guest Service Counter located in the main lobby level. A driver’s license or other state-issued ID will be held until the device is returned at the end of the performance. Sign language interpreters are available for select concert events with a two weeks’ advance notice. Please contact the box office for further information. Wynn 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Watch as aerial acrobats perform in Le Reve —The Dream, a $3 million hydro and pyrotechnics show which incorporates 172 high-powered fountains and shooters and 16 fire-shooting devices. The show took nearly 60 designers, technicians, engineers and choreographers more than 18 months to complete and is the only show in which performers actually dance through fire. The show celebrates its 10 year anniversary in 2015 and is consistently ranked one of the top shows in Las Vegas. ALDs are available at the box office.
Hearing loss organizations
No Limits No Limits Theater Group is the only theater group in the nation for deaf children who are learning to speak and listen. No Limits Academy provides year round, high-quality specialty services to deaf children and their families. Nevada Hands and Voices Nevada Hands and Voices is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. The organization is a parent-driven, parent/professional collaborative group which exists to help children reach their highest potential. Reprinted with permission from www.healthyhearing.com. Please visit our site for the original article: https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52574-Hearing-loss-in-las-vegas-be-part-of-the-conversation
