Zoo and Aquarium Team Up with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community Partners to Spread Deaf Culture Awareness Across the Buffalo/Niagara and Rochester Regions

Two Western New York zoological facilities, in collaboration with regional partners serving the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, are teaming up to promote inclusivity, connection, and awareness of Western New York's vibrant Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

In partnership with Rochester School for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID), and People Inc., the Aquarium of Niagara and Seneca Park Zoo invite guests from the Buffalo/Niagara and Rochester regions to explore both institutions through immersive exhibits, educational opportunities, and accessible programming on Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12.

Seneca Park Zoo | Saturday, Oct. 11

All public animal presentations at Seneca Park Zoo will feature both spoken and signed interpretation, thanks to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from RIT/NTID’s Bachelor of Science in Interpreting program. These students are providing services pro bono as part of their community interpreting curriculum.

In addition to interpreted presentations, guests can attend interpreted story time sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00

p.m., interact with the Zoo’s Nature Cart, and receive seasonal gardening tips from the Zoo’s naturalist team. Families can also participate in a fall-themed scavenger hunt highlighting scarecrows and fairy house doors throughout the Zoo grounds.

"Zoos and aquariums are places of joy and wonder, where everyone should feel welcomed and inspired to fall in love with the living world." said Pamela Reed Sanchez, CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. "Our partnerships with Rochester School for the Deaf and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf have made this event possible in a multitude of ways for several years. We are proud to expand the effort this year to include the Aquarium of Niagara, which shares our commitment to being a place of belonging for all.”

“It is exciting to have Deaf Awareness events at both the Seneca Park Zoo and the Aquarium of Niagara on the same weekend,” said Caroline M. Solomon, NTID president and RIT vice president. “These events are learning experiences for our students, the students from the Rochester School for the Deaf, and the community at large. I look forward to attending!”

Aquarium of Niagara | Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12

All presentations at the Aquarium of Niagara will be interpreted in ASL by professionals from People Inc., supported through a grant from the People Inc. Foundation.

New this year, the Aquarium will offer free ASL-interpreted tours at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. both days. Advance registration is required. When possible, interpreters will also be present at the Aquarium’s interactive touch pools, helping guests engage more deeply with the animals and exhibits.

“Collaboration allows us to deepen our impact and broaden our reach,” said Chad Fifer, president and CEO of the Aquarium of Niagara. “We’re grateful for the guidance and expertise of our partners at People Inc., RIT/NTID, and Rochester School for the Deaf in helping us better serve the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and to our friends at Seneca Park Zoo for working alongside us to expand access to the wonders of the natural world across both of our communities.”

The Aquarium has also partnered with People Inc. to create pre-recorded, ASL-interpreted videos featuring animal facts and exhibit information, now available on demand on the Aquarium’s website.

“We are proud to support Deaf Awareness events in the community. These events are not only fun and engaging for families, they’re also a meaningful way to promote inclusion and celebrate the Deaf community, said People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey. “Building a more inclusive community for everyone is what drives People Inc.’s mission.”

To encourage community participation, both institutions will offer the following reciprocal discounts throughout October:

• Show your Aquarium of Niagara receipt at Seneca Park Zoo to receive $2 off admission.
• Show your Seneca Park Zoo receipt at the Aquarium of Niagara to receive $5 off admission.

Discounts apply to walk-up tickets only and may not be combined with other promotions such as membership reciprocity or Museums for All. Members of Seneca Park Zoo and the Aquarium of Niagara always receive 50% off general admission at participating institutions through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Admission Reciprocity Program.

The Aquarium of Niagara is open 9am to 5pm (Tuesday, Friday-Sunday) and 9am to 4pm (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). More information is available at aquariumofniagara.org.

Seneca Park Zoo is open from 10am to 5pm daily, and more information is available at senecaparkzoo.org.