Why is Barbie Parker having such a good time? Because she loves to sign and loves music. She's a professional sign language interpreter who specializes in providing her services at musical concerts:
At live music shows, Ms. Parker, 45, does not just sign lyrics — she communicates the entire musical experience. She mouths the words. She plays air guitar and air drums. She jams along with the bands.
“Music is such a large part of who I am,” she said. “I want to be able to open up that experience.” [...]
The number of deaf and hard of hearing music fans taking advantage of interpretation at free shows held at Auditorium Shores as part of SXSW has risen noticeably in the past few years, Frank Schaefer, the officer manager for the festival, said in an e-mail. The increase can be attributed, at least in part, to a growing number of interpreters who specialize in that kind of work.
Link -via Marginal Revolution | Photo: Barbie Parker