REVIEW: Deaf Friendly Review! Santa Fe Rafting Co.

*Rafting in ASL!
Very impressed with how deaf-friendly this rafting company is.
First off, they've got not one, but TWO deaf rafting guides as full-time employees on their team. They've got a CODA on the team and other members in the company who sign. They're offering a full-ASL Rafting trip with their two deaf guides this July!
When asked about hiring Cassandra, their first Deaf rafting guide, they said, "We hired her because we saw her passion, knowledge, and skills as a river guide. Her deafness wasn't a factor in the decision to hire, but having her with us made us consider accessibility and being creative on how we all communicated." Cassandra does rafting trips fully in ASL, for both hearing and deaf customers.
Accessibility is important for Santa Fe Rafting Company. Their social media is fully captioned/subtitled, some of their media is presented in ASL, and their online reservation system is a breeze to use. They're quick to respond to emails, and their place is well-lit. Plus, they're right across the street from the New Mexico School for the Deaf! I really like their vibe!
Transcript:
We're here to review Santa Fe Rafting Co. Is this company #deaffriendly?
So we have our list to check how deaf friendly they are.
First, they're located right across New Mexico School for the Deaf!
Right over there! (points fingers across street)
Here, at Santa Fe Rafting Company,
They hire Deaf!
I'm aware there are two Deaf guides!
And there's also a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)
And others who know sign language.
Let's meet them!
(waves)
I'm Cass. (signs name)
I'm a Deaf river guide!
I'm Brian. (signs name BG)
I'm also a Deaf river guide.
I'm Maggie. I'm a guide,
I'm an interpreter.
I operate the company.
And I'm good friends with both Cass and Brian.
(people signing inside the building)
Mario: I wanna be there... (points on boat in rapids)
Looks like so much fun. And they SIGN!?!
That's so cool... I wanna!
Summer: How many years you've been working here?
Cass: 8 years
Summer: So, I'm curious, how is the company Deaf-friendly?
Cass: As a deaf guide, I offer tours, from beginning to end, fully in ASL.
That means I give tour talks in ASL
I also do safety instructions in ASL
On the river, I mention all the rapids.
Summer: With interpreters?
Cass: For Deaf people, no interpreters are needed cause all of us use sign language.
But if the group is mixed or if clients are all hearing, we have interpreters.
But the entire trip, from beginning to end, yes-
accessible in sign language.
Summer: What are other features you offer that are deaf-friendly?
From the start (registering) to the completion of trip?
Other than being accessible, having people that sign, online booking, captioning?
Cass: Yes, online booking. We respond quickly to emails.
Some companies you email, you have to wait forever for them to email back. Not here. We respond to emails quickly as it's our way to communicate in addition to phone calls.
Also, our social media postings... all are captioned/ subtitled.
Summer: Wow! That's awesome. I love watching people sign in this building.
So impressed! That's my review for this DeafFriendly business!
Check them out: www.santaferafting.com
1000 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
Willingness to Gesture Pen and Paper Available Well Lit Environment Experience Hiring Interpreter Schedule/Order On-line or E-mail Subtitles/Closed Caption/Open Caption Accepts Relay Calls Positive Attitude Knows Sign Language Speaks Clearly Makes Eye Contact