| In the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Paralympics in | | | | For about half of this performance, all the dancers are |
| Athens, a Chinese troupe of twenty-one artists | | | | in a close, straight line down the middle of the stage. At |
| performed a remarkable dance called the Dance of | | | | times the movement of the group's arms begins at the |
| the Thousand Hands. This dance portrayed a | | | | back of the line, moving forward quickly. Without |
| traditional Chinese goddess of mercy who is often | | | | hearing the music or seeing the arms of the dancers |
| shown with many arms and hands. The dance thrilled | | | | behind them, how can the dancers keep this move |
| the audience. Since that Paralympics performance, the | | | | coordinated? The group has come up with an |
| group has performed all around the world and has | | | | ingenious way to cue each other: As each dancer |
| risen to great fame for their artistry, grace and | | | | begins the move, they blow on the neck of the dancer |
| coordination. The group's work is breathtaking by any | | | | in front of them. |
| standards, but what makes it even more notable is | | | | Offstage and in rehearsal, the dancers communicate in |
| that the dancers are deaf. | | | | sign language and many wear hearing aids. The |
| Hearing people might wonder how a group of | | | | services of interpreters are utilized to help the dancers |
| twenty-one deaf people could perform a dance | | | | to communicate with interviewers and other hearing |
| requiring group coordination and tight timing, as well as | | | | people. |
| staying with the music. This group employs four | | | | The dance troupe is the China Disabled People's |
| hearing instructors who teach and help coordinate the | | | | Performing Arts Troupe, which was established in 1987 |
| dancers. The instructors also act as "conductors." In | | | | as an amateur group. It is now a branch of the China |
| rehearsal and performance, they stand at the far sides | | | | Disabled Persons' Federation. All the Troupe's |
| or corners of the stage. They move their arms in the | | | | members are hearing-impaired, visually-impaired or |
| dance moves to cue the dancers. It is interesting to | | | | learning-disabled, and they lead ordinary lives outside of |
| see that the dancers do not appear to look directly at | | | | their performances with the Troupe. Many of them are |
| the conductors. They keep their eyes in the direction | | | | students, corporate employees and other types of |
| the choreography requires, watching the conductors | | | | workers. |
| with only their peripheral vision. | | | | |