North Pole Express Brings Christmas to Life for Deaf Kids

With Christmas approaching, Stuhr Museum in Grand Island decided to rethink the experience of the “Polar Express” for kids who are deaf or hard of hearing. Though the train car is stationary in the museum, the experience gets at the core feelings of the story. The conductor reads from “Polar Express” while an interpreter signs next to him. Throughout the story, the museum staff acts out the experience, with cranked up bass to feel the rumbling of the train, hot chocolate to appeal to the senses, and of course a tasty treat. At the end of the ride Santa comes to see the kids, and they’re left with the memory of sharing a fun Christmas experience with a bunch of kids they can relate to.

Read the full story here.