The kids were deaf, I guess we were blind

[ca_rumperee]

Really takes you out of your comfort zone as a ref. Nothing is business as usual. Mechanics need to be superb, you can't rely on your voice like usual.

You now have to use signals you learned before tipoff to communicate with the book (signals for color). It also challenges you to call the game fairly, as you have to deal with your own personal issues with any concept of 'handicapped' that you might have. Forces you to sort all of that out in your head.

At the California School of the Deaf, the backboards are 'ringed' with led lights (like NBA has for time expiring). Every stoppage of play the lights light up as a guide for the deaf players.