His Deaf Friends Faced Difficulties While Traveling, So He Took Action

Imagine being a deaf traveler from America visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, only to be told you need a hearing companion to enter. Such an experience can feel incredibly humiliating, patronizing, and stressful. Sadly, many deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans traveling abroad have reported facing similar obstacles, stemming from environments that are not accessible and cultural biases regarding the capabilities of deaf individuals.

Terry Giansanti, the founder of Hands On Travel (previously known as Hands On Italia), is dedicated to easing the travel experience for the deaf community. Since its inception in 2002, his company has arranged over 350 tours for small groups and private trips, all conducted by local deaf guides across more than 60 countries, catering to over 4,000 customers who primarily communicate in American Sign Language.

Giansanti's inspiration to create Hands On Travel came while he was living in Italy more than twenty years ago. After graduating from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world's only bilingual ASL-English university, he relocated to Rome to work at the 2001 Deaflympics. Hearing complaints from fellow deaf Americans about their disappointing travel experiences during the games sparked his idea to improve the situation.

In September 2024, I had a conversation with Giansanti as he led a group tour through the Balkans, covering Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and Macedonia, with 15 deaf Americans. At that moment, it was evening in the dimly lit streets of Zagreb, Croatia's capital, while it was a sunny afternoon in northern Virginia on my end.

What prompted your move from America to Rome? Also, which part of the U.S. do you hail from?

I grew up in Maryland, primarily in Greenbelt. I have Italian heritage on my grandfather's side. During college, I backpacked through Europe twice, which sparked my desire to live there after graduation. I planned to stay for just a couple of years, but here I am, 25 years later and still going strong.

How did Hands On Travel come to be?

During the 2001 Deaflympics in Italy, several friends visited me in Rome. As an American resident, I wanted them to fully appreciate the city and all it had to offer. However, some shared negative experiences from their time here, and when I asked for details, their answers made me think, 'Oh no, you should have done this instead.'

This made me realize there was a significant lack of accessible information for deaf individuals back then. It inspired me to create a business aimed at providing that access and knowledge directly, since ASL is my first language and the primary language for nearly all our participants.

Can you share a specific example of a negative experience that a friend told you about?

It's been a while, but I remember it mainly revolved around going to the wrong restaurant, staying in an unsuitable place, missing key attractions, and visiting the wrong neighborhoods—things like that.

A deaf American influencer recently went viral for being refused entry to the Leaning Tower of Pisa unless she was accompanied by a hearing person. Have you encountered similar situations? How do you deal with these challenges?

Deaf individuals often face stereotypes, discrimination, and barriers in many parts of the world, compounded by a lack of clear communication. This can lead to stressful and awkward situations.

Since travelers have invested money into their journeys, it's our responsibility to absorb any unpleasantness in these situations, alleviating that burden from them. This way, they can enjoy their travels without encountering negative vibes. While it's impossible to eliminate all issues completely, our aim is to minimize them as much as we can.

How would you assess the current state of travel for the deaf community? What is the experience of a deaf traveler like in 2024, and how does it differ from previous years?

There have been significant advancements since we began in 2002. A lot of this improvement is due to technology; back in 2002, smartphones didn't even exist. Now, there's much greater access to information, making it somewhat easier for deaf individuals to travel independently with the necessary tools for a successful journey.

What do you mean by 'somewhat easier'?

It's never going to be 100 percent easy, and it never will be. Travel will never be completely easy for anyone—not just for deaf individuals. There are too many unpredictable variables involved, requiring flexibility and creative thinking. For deaf travelers, the challenge is heightened due to the limited visual cues or communication available in many popular tourist locations.

What changes would you like to see implemented to facilitate easier travel for deaf individuals?

The United States should create a national disability ID card that allows individuals with disabilities to 'verify' their condition. [Ed. note: Several countries, such as India, Israel, and Japan, have established national disability ID cards. Additionally, the European Union (EU) is on the verge of adopting a disability card applicable across all member states.] Deafness, in particular, is not always visually evident. Around the globe, many tourist attractions require an ID card as proof for reduced or free entry, a provision that currently does not exist for Americans. This change would significantly ease access for deaf travelers worldwide.

Many deaf individuals are eager for more resources to assist in planning their international travel. This includes deaf-friendly destinations, experiences, local deaf guides, social events, and attractions focused on the deaf community.

What sets your company apart from other deaf-owned travel agencies?

I believe we are the first American deaf-owned and operated tour company that organizes, designs, and conducts our own tours, ensuring complete communication access, smaller group sizes, and unique travel experiences.

Currently, there are more deaf-owned tour operators emerging in the industry, which is a positive development as it highlights how deaf individuals are supporting one another within the global travel sector, a thriving industry today.

However, we believe that our 22 years of experience in the business have established us as leaders in the deaf-owned tour operator sector. Our expertise, commitment to customer service, and distinctive offerings set us apart. Clients can trust that their investment in travel with us guarantees our utmost effort, energy, and personal attention in small groups, ensuring that everyone is engaged throughout the journey.