Marlee Matlin told People.com she is taking part in the show to "prove to people that the only thing I, and 26 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing like me, really can't do — is hear."

The actress thinks her internal metronome will help her. She told People.com: "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 a an internal metronome."

The actress added: "I've had no formal dance training. Though I did a little dance in Children Of A Lesser God, that was improvised,

"But I figure that I'm ready in that I communicate with my body when I sign and dance is a lot like that. … Right now I'm not terrified of Latin dances; I've got a Latin partner and he's a Mambo champion! I've already begun the Cha Cha and I love it! I don't know about jive."

Marlee ended her interview with People.com by saying: "I'm really doing it (the show) 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!