Deaf Actress Marlee Matlin Talks About Joining DWTS

Marlee Matlin has a rhythm even if she is almost completely deaf. The Academy Award-winning actress believes she's got what it takes to rule the dance floor of 'Dancing With The Stars,' where she will contend with other celebrities for the ultimate dancing celebrity title.

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Matlin, 42, has been partnered with professional dancer Fabian Sanches. She says that her disability will be her advantage in finding the rhythm of the dance.

"So much will depend on me being in synch with my partner with my eyes, with my arms, with my legs. Plus, sign language has given me an internal metronome," she tells People magazine.

"My partner, Fabian, is Latin. And as any one can tell you, Latins speak with their hands, their bodies. He's great. We use a combination of lip reading (he's easy to follow even if he has a slight accent), singing (the first sign he learned was 'again') - he uses it a lot - and an interpreter."

Matlin is not the first with a disability to join the top-rating reality dancing competition. The show's 4th season features a Beatle's ex-wife, Heather Mills, who has a prosthetic leg.

The actress also reveals her own personal reason for signing up the show. "I'm really doing it for my kids because they want me to be the coolest mom ever. I don't know if I'm crazy or what, but I'm going to give it my best shot!"