This tour is organized by Katie Fleming, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Tenon Tours.  Soon after Katie was born her brother Mark became deaf after being diagnosed with meningitis at the age of 2. Katie learned sign language with her twin brother, Andrew, before they even learned to talk. They figured getting what they needed with hand signs was much easier than learning how to talk so they continued it getting their fill from signing milk, cookies and more.. more!

With her love of travel Katie was able to share this with her family on a trip to Ireland in February of 2010. Mark joined with his wife, Lisa  (pictured to the right with Mark and Katie), who he met in high school as she learned to sign so she could communicate with her crush. At the time Lisa had no idea she would enjoy sign language so much that it would become her full time job as a sign language interpreter all these years later.

Realizing the lack of tours available for the deaf and with Tenon Tours’ belief that traveling with like-minded individuals only enhances your travel experience Katie started to organize scheduled weeks each year to bring the deaf, hard of hearing and the entire deaf community together with a deaf tour to Ireland.  Tenon Tours operated the first deaf tour to Ireland in June of 2010.  With many requests to expand the tour to include Scotland and England Tenon Tours is happy to announce the 2012 tour the week of June 17th to be a 14 day escorted coach tour visiting Ireland, Scotland and England!

See more pictures of Katie, Mark & Lisa’s trip to Ireland below and pictures from the deaf trip to Ireland in 2010.  To contact Katie please feel free to email her at kfleming@tenontours.com or on AIM: KatieTenonTours.

Fleming Family Ireland Tour, February 2010:

Deaf Tour to Ireland, June 2010: