Signing Santa Claus pays special visit to Barton Creek Square

Santa Claus knows all languages, including American sign language, and he arrives at Barton Creek Square mall Wednesday afternoon, ready to check the wish lists of Austin-area children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

AUSTIN, Texas - Santa Claus knows all languages, including American Sign Language.

On Wednesday evening, Santa spent time with and checked the wish lists of Austin-area deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families at Barton Creek Square Mall.

Every child that attended had the opportunity to sign with Santa and receive a free photo, stocking, and toy.

Holden Ewan and his parents Heidi Macglaughlin and Karl Ewan have been coming to the event since Holden was little.

"I wanted to see my friends, and I wanted to get Christmas gifts from Santa," Holden Ewan said.

"The nice thing about coming to this event every year is one, you get to see people that maybe we haven't seen in a long time," Karl Ewan said. "Two, having a Santa Claus who can sign, that pretty much gives communication access to deaf kids who sign."

Families attending also got to enjoy a holiday music performance by the students of the Texas School for the Deaf's Sign Choir, who performed songs like the hit "Let It Go" from Disney's "Frozen" and the Christmas novelty song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

The event brings together the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and gives them an opportunity to share in some holiday fun.

"We enjoy coming here so we can get into the holiday spirit and be able to socialize with everybody and we appreciate Texas School for the Deaf for hosting this event on an annual basis," said Karl Ewan.

The "Signing Santa" event was started in 2004 by the North Austin Optimist Club, which is part of a worldwide volunteer organization dedicated to bringing out the best in children and the community.

"About 20 years ago, we decided to have a deaf Santa and have the children sign to him for what they wanted for Christmas," club president Diana Melcer said.

Melcer said they started working with TSD because they saw a need.

"We try to reach out to all types of children and we just thought there was a need for this," Melcer said.

To learn more about the North Austin Optimist Club, visit their website.

To learn more about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit their website.