Fort Worth Zoo
At the Fort Worth Zoo, accessibility isn’t treated as an afterthought — it’s becoming tradition. On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Zoo will host its third-annual Deaf Day, created in partnership with the Sign Language Interpreting Program at Tarrant County College (TCC), according to a release. The event opens the gates wide to members of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, making sure a trip to the Zoo feels as enriching and immersive as it does for any other guest.
“This annual event has become a tradition for the community, and we’re delighted to continue our partnership with TCC,” said Kathy Dorris, the Zoo’s director of education.
From its inaugural year, Deaf Day has represented more than just a day of accommodations. It’s a deliberate effort to weave accessibility into the Zoo’s mission of education and conservation. Guests can learn about animal care, global preservation efforts, and participate in experiences like giraffe feeding or zookeeper chats, all of which feel fully accessible thanks to the presence of interpreters. For many families, that kind of access has turned Deaf Day into a fixture of their fall calendar.
Throughout the Zoo, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from TCC will be stationed at key spots, including animal presentations, restaurants, and merchandise counters. That presence means no missed explanations about an elephant’s diet, no one left out of a spontaneous question-and-answer session with a keeper, and no barriers to simply ordering lunch.
For both the college and the Zoo, the collaboration is mutually reinforcing: students in the interpreting program gain real-world experience, while families visiting the Zoo gain access to a day that feels fully inclusive. It’s an intersection of education, service, and community that underlines the spirit of the event.
“We are so excited about our third annual Deaf Day in partnership with the Fort Worth Zoo,” said Maureen Denner, Tarrant County College sign language interpreting program director. “The feedback from the Deaf community regarding this partnership has been amazing. The access to the wonderful talks and information regularly provided by the Zoo is greatly appreciated.”
