"Faith come by hearing how will they hear if there is no one to preach?" (Roman 10:14-17).
Catholics with hearing loss (and indeed in many other churches and synagogues as well) are strangers in the midst when it comes to their ability to fully participate at worship places. Without effective communication access, they sit there as silent spectators or strangers.
Who are the strangers in our midst? Those with hearing loss in the church who have no effective communication access to the Mass (real time captioning, sign language and audio induction loop covers the diverse spectrum of hearing loss/deaf/Deaf/hard of hearing/hearing impaired). Real time captioning is in high demand in the secular world for the late deaf, oral deaf and those with severe and profound hearing losses, as well as the hard of hearing. They use it every where (tv, dvd's, classes, business meetings, movie theaters, conferences, shows, captioned phone etc. ) However, it is missing in the churches. Isn't that odd that they have this much access in the secular world, but not in church?
Only 23 percent of US Catholics attend Mass each week according to several sources.
But only 4-10 percent of people with ANY form of hearing impairment attend church at all because it is not accessible to them according to various sources. That means 90 plus hearing impaired/deaf/hard of hearing/hearing loss/deafness people are NOT in church at all in any given week if there is no effective communication access for them (sign language is used by the culturally Deaf (10 percent), CART or Remote CART (real time captioning) is used by the late deaf, oral deaf, severe hearing loss, profound hearing loss, and audio induction loops or ALD's or used by the mild and moderate hearing loss (hard of hearing).
Real time captioning is very rare in Catholic churches in spite of its popularity and high demand in the secular world. It continues to rapidly gain popularity with the tech savvy generation including the baby boomers.
"Statistics tell us that 98% of people with hearing loss do not have a church home, and the deaf and hard of hearing are the fourth largest unreached people group in the world." (Source: http://captioningtheword.com/information.html)
Real time captioning is very rare in Catholic churches in spite of its popularity and high demand in the secular world. It continues to rapidly gain popularity with the tech savvy generation including the baby boomers.
I wonder if those with hearing loss over represent the low attendance stats of US Catholics attending Mass each week, particularly the ones in which access is not given to them? After all, 1 in 5 Americans have a hearing loss? 1 in 3 after age 65 have a hearing loss?
Does the New Evangelization consider the communication access needs of the growing hearing loss population or 20 percent of Americans? Baby boomers will drive current hearing loss demographics upwards rapidly between now and the year 2030 or so. Lots of Baby Boomers will not be hearing the Mass.
The New Evangelization: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/upload/Disciples-Called-To-Witness-The-New-Evangelization.pdf)
The New Evangelization: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/upload/Disciples-Called-To-Witness-The-New-Evangelization.pdf)
Not only that, those with 'disabilities' in general, any form of 'disability' may be over representing the missing brothers and sisters not attending Mass each week. How can the
church welcome the strangers? Is the church reaching out to them and making the Mass accessible to them so they can fully, actively and consciously participate in the life of the church? If those with disabilities and hearing loss are not in church, they may represent a larger percentage share of the missing. Should we not be trying to make the Mass fully accessible to them in sharing the Joy of the Gospel to all people? Maybe we can welcome them back by making the church accessible to them?
church welcome the strangers? Is the church reaching out to them and making the Mass accessible to them so they can fully, actively and consciously participate in the life of the church? If those with disabilities and hearing loss are not in church, they may represent a larger percentage share of the missing. Should we not be trying to make the Mass fully accessible to them in sharing the Joy of the Gospel to all people? Maybe we can welcome them back by making the church accessible to them?
The homily alone is a very catechetical and evangelical tool in sharing the gospel message. The Universal prayers after the Creed are very powerful if you can engage in it and the announcements connect you to the community. Is this something you are willing to offer to your brothers and sister in Christ at church instead of having them sit on the margins of church life as a stranger unconnected with no access? Or do we push them away with our indifference because they are strangers to us and don't really give it a second thought that we are denying them an accessible church and allowing them to experience the fullness of their faith? Could that be why 90 percent of the those with hearing loss do not attend church? Are we welcoming the stranger in our midst by making the church accessible to them?
"It's not enough to know Christ, we must bring him to everyone!" - Pope St. John Paul II
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" If a house of worship is not doing CC,
however, then a major portion of the
dialogue will not be picked up by the
whole audience.”
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"…May the church be the place of God's mercy and love where everyone can feel themselves welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the good life of the Gospel. And in order to make others feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged, the church must have open doors so that all might enter. And we must go out of those doors and proclaim the Gospel." -Pope Francis
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“We want God! We want God! The Polish people shouted, as John Paul II made his first visit to Poland. “Papa! Papa! We want God!” (Source: http://westsiderepublicans.com/?page_id=36)
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How can we make the Catholic church
accessible to ALL the deaf and hard of
hearing?:
SEE:
accessible to ALL the deaf and hard of
hearing?:
SEE:
______________________________________________________________________
"The majority of people who are deaf and hard of hearing do not know sign language. According to a Johns Hopkins study, more than 48 million people in the United States are deaf or hard of hearing, or a fifth of all Americans. Of these, almost 99 percent lost their hearing or were raised orally–not using sign language–and rely on their residual hearing (aided by hearing aids or cochlear implants), speech reading, and the printed word for communication access. This group of people are greatly aided by text forms of access." (Source: http://www.captionaccess.com/communication-access-101/?replytocom=41)
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"A general rule of thumb is to ask whether people are able to access the facility and, once in, is effective communication happening?" (Source: https://hsdcstore.com/adasystems.htm)
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“The primary users of CC are not necessarily deaf people, but those who are elderly and hard of hearing.
This is very much an underserved population. If CC is made available to them, however, it allows them to follow sermons and services word-for-word and be connected to the message that they were previously having trouble hearing."
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"individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination, including outright intentional exclusion, the discriminatory effects of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers….." see more at http://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/q-ada-church-and-americans-disabilities-act
____________________________________________________________
"Too many Catholic schools and churches do not
have adequate resources for people with
disabilities." (Source: http://americamagazine.org/issue/dignity-disabled)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADA and the church: http://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/q-ada-church-and-americans-disabilities-act
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A sobering thought for religious leaders is that 90% of those with a hearing impairment may not attend services due to an inability to hear and participate. (Source: http://premiervisualvoice.com/index.php/blog/16-blog-8)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real time captioning:
"Typically, the service is geared toward the hearing impaired.
"What is driving the demand is the baby boomers," said Fred Sharp, president of the Chartered Shorthand Reporters Association of Ontario."
(Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/2007/11/29/speedy_court_reporters_flying_fingers_in_high_demand.html)
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“What a gift this will be for them now to have
the ability to follow along with the Scripture
readings and Mass prayers right along with us. "
(Source: http://www.todayscatholicnews.org/2015/03/closed-captioning-during-tv-mass-better-serves-faithful/)
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Does Captioning Matter to You?
_______________________________________________________________________
Captioning Shares the Message
__________________________
How do you make it Inclusive to all those
who are deaf and hard of hearing?:
"However, in order to serve ALL deaf, hard of hearing, the hearing impaired or people with hearing loss (whichever terms you choose), all of these accessible solutions need to be provided, and the Deaf and hearing impaired should always be placed down front where they can use their eyes to see to hear and the audio amplifiers to be picked up by their assistive devices. Captions should be on the wall or a screen for those who need to read what is being said." (Source: http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/16/deaf-discrimination-to-deaf/)
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Demo of Real time Captioning (aka Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART):
Go to: http://www.acscaptions.com/subpages/CART.asp (scroll down to find demo video,
click on CC)
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"All of us are covered by the ADA. This is not about a
preference, a personal choice, or the opinion of one
over another or over a majority." (Source: http://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/q-ada-church-and-americans-disabilities-act)
preference, a personal choice, or the opinion of one
over another or over a majority." (Source: http://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/q-ada-church-and-americans-disabilities-act)
__________________________________________________________________________
Captioning in church services:
___________________________________________________
Opening the Doors:
SEE:
________________________________________________
"The ADA calls us to be aware of and correct what we do that unnecessarily excludes people"
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The Coming Home Network: See http://chnetwork.org
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Are you an ex Catholic? Were you once Catholic? Are you a Recovering Catholic?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"When designing a space or
planning
an event, we need to strive for
universal access—so that all
members of our communities can
attend and participate. This means
that, in addition to ramps and
elevators, we need assistive
listening technology like hearing
loops and captions, and signage
that makes it clear that the service
is available. This is a goal that we
can achieve, but in order to do so,
we need to change the way we
think about communication and
hearing access. "
- See more at: http://agewisekin
gcounty.org/en/134/1/661/Too-Many-People-with-Hearing-Loss-Miss-Out.htm#sthash.em7Uhug6.nW91Nm7I.dpuf
(Source: http://agewisekingcounty.org/en/134/1/661/Too-Many-People-with-Hearing-Loss-Miss-
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"The key to deciding what aid or service is needed to communicate effectively is to consider the nature, length, complexity, and context of the communication as well as the person’s normal method(s) of communication." (Source: http://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm)
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Welcoming the Stranger Among Us:
________________________________________________________________
Captioning, Sign Language and Audio loops are the three most common communication access used by the deaf and hard of hearing in secular business, education and entertainment settings. It would be nice if it was also being provided in churches even though the church is ADA exempt. The hearing loss and deafness population is diverse so all three most common communication access needs to be in place.
About 10 percent estimated of the hearing loss population benefit from sign language (3 percent are native/primary users and 7 percent estimate are acquired/bilingual for a total estimate of 10 percent ), about 40 to 60 percent estimated of the hearing loss population benefit from Captioning, and about 70 to 80 percent estimated can benefit from Audio Loops (assuming they are wearing hearing aids and cochlear implants with T coils so this is more in theory). However in reality; 1 in 5 Americans with hearing loss who can benefit from a hearing aid wear one. 1 in 4 deaf adult Americans who can benefit from a cochlear implant wear a cochlear implant. 25 percent of hearing aids do not have T coils in them. Many people with more severe and profound hearing losses who do wear hearing aids and do have T coils in them often find the Audio Induction loops not reliable for them or 'strong' enough. Captioning can also cover all these groups and thereby provide effective communication access. Technically though any one who can read (receptive) and speak (expressive) can benefit from Captioning so real time captioning can cover a wide user population within the spectrum of hearing loss.
Think those with mild and moderate hearing loss who most benefit from audio induction loops are wearing hearing aids? According to this:
"Only 14% of older adults with hearing loss use
hearing aids, according to estimates from a
nationwide survey.
The proportion dropped to fewer than 4% of people
with mild hearing loss across all age decades and
to fewer than 5% of adults ages 50 to 59,
irrespective of the severity of hearing loss."
(Source: http://www.awesomecapital.com/awesome-blog/most-hearing-impaired-adults-forgo-hearing-aids)
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" This {real time captioning} technology is primarily used by people who are late-deafened, oral deaf, hard-of-hearing,or have cochlear implants. Culturally deaf individuals also make use of CART in certain situations. " (Source: http://www.everyonecommunicates.org/methods/captioning.html)
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"A growing number of churches, synagogues
and other places of worship are adopting
closed captioning for hearing-impaired
congregants." (Source: http://www.stenotype.edu/news/stenographer-goes-church/#sthash.5tWSYgfx.dpuf)
________________________________________________________________________________________
"Although many churches use sign language to convey
a sermon to the deaf, others are using technology to
translate each word so that it appears simultaneously
on the big screen. "(Source http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-06-16/lifestyle/0106150471_1_schick-fellowship-bible-church-born-deaf)
Captioning the Word: http://captioningtheword.com
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 |
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This is a wonderful resource for understanding
Catholicism called Catholic Bridge.
See http://www.catholicbridge.com
Catholicism called Catholic Bridge.
See http://www.catholicbridge.com
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What is the Catholic Mass?: http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/mass.php
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Pray For Us All!
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What do the deaf and hard of hearing use for Communication Access?:
ASL (American Sign Language) is used by the Culturally Deaf in the USA, CART (real time captioning) or its newer tech version called Remote CART is used by the late deaf, oral deaf and severe to profound hearing loss, ALD's (Assistive Listening Devices) are used by the hard of hearing (mild and moderate hearing loss). Captioning (CART) can sometimes be used by the culturally Deaf but you need to ask them first. The Hard of Hearing (mild and moderate) can also use captioning but they usually prefer Audio Loops. Again, you need to ask them first. Yes, I know I keep saying this through out my blog. We are diverse you see. We need to break the sound barriers for everyone so they can fully and actively participate and share the Joy of the Gospel to all.
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"Of all the barriers to full participation and
inclusion, the barrier of unexamined attitudes
is the most difficult to address," states Ginny
Thornburgh, director of the American
Association of People with Disabilities'
Interfaith Initiative."
inclusion, the barrier of unexamined attitudes
is the most difficult to address," states Ginny
Thornburgh, director of the American
Association of People with Disabilities'
Interfaith Initiative."
(Source: http://www.disabilitiesandfaith.org)
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"For the Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
Arrange for seating the Deaf community in the front, near the
speaker.
Arrange for interpreter or real time captioning services at
least
two weeks in advance.
Utilize room amplification system or personal amplification
system.
Provide all materials to the interpreter or CART reporter one
week in advance.
Provide bright lighting. Avoid creating a special atmosphere
with dim lighting."
(Source: http://www.dioslc.org/ministries/disabilities/guidelines-for-accommodating-people-with-disabilities)
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Lets pray that we break the
communication barriers for all!
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"Catholics with disabilities are much
more likely to be inactive Catholics
than their non-disabled counterparts."
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Sharing the Christmas Message in Real Time Captioning:
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" Listening is a most important form of
active participation."
(Source: http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/ArticleText/Index/65/SubIndex/120/ArticleIndex/35)
active participation."
(Source: http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/ArticleText/Index/65/SubIndex/120/ArticleIndex/35)
Listening is very active and not being a spectator and just sitting there. Having Access to God's Word means you can connect to the message. Captioning connects you to the message and gives you access so you can fully and actively participate at the Mass in the same time and space with the congregation with real time captioning like any other interpretative services.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"An obvious benefit of closed captioning
is to allow everyone to have an equal
opportunity to participate in and enjoy the
benefits of a service, program or activity."
is to allow everyone to have an equal
opportunity to participate in and enjoy the
benefits of a service, program or activity."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Captioning the Word: See http://captioningtheword.com
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"We depend on captions for television, movies, relay phone calls, live theater and meetings, etc. However, captions are lacking at churches and synagogues. As a result we no longer attend. We feel excluded from the spiritual communities." (Source: http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2014/07/why-churches-and-synagogues-need-to.html)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
"Although many churches use sign language to convey
a sermon to the deaf, others are using technology to
translate each word so that it appears simultaneously
on the big screen. "(Source http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-06-16/lifestyle/0106150471_1_schick-fellowship-bible-church-born-deaf)
__________________________________________________________________
Without real time captioning as a valid accommodation for the late deaf, oral deaf and hard of hearing it is like saying to them at the church door: 'no ramp for the wheel chair users' , or 'no blacks allowed', or 'no Irish need to apply'._________________________________________________________________That All May Worship:________________________________________________________"Accessible meeting space allowseveryone to participate."_____________________________________More churches are adding real time captioning:
"Aldersgate United Methodist Church provides open real time captions during both 9 am and 10:30 am Sunday morning worship services. A CART (computer assisted real time translation) professional sits in worship and silently types everything she hears…"________________________________________________________
The increasing demands of real time captioningand broadcast captioning is driven by twoforces:_______________________________If You Have a Hearing Loss - Advocate for Yourself: This is very important because all too often, many of those with hearing loss like to hide it but in doing so, keeps us all in exclusionary circles. Each one of us can do our part. When you advocate access for yourself, you do much more. You help others get access. Speak up.“Just as with wheelchair access issues, advocacy is paramount,” Kasper wrote. “Staying at home to avoid problems or pretending to understand when we don’t will not help us or future generations, and joining with others in a cause can be rewarding in itself.” (Source: http://www.caldranews.org/hackensack-church-offers-captioning-for-hearing-impaired/)_______________________________________________________________________________________Former Roman Catholics: see http://www.oncecatholic.org __________________________________________________________________
US Bishop Statement:
'It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities, since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together'" (Source: http://www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com/component/content/article/3/40)
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The purpose of this blog is to raise Diversity Awareness among those with hearing loss and deafness, and to raise awareness that many with hearing loss are being excluded from full participation at the Mass if the church does not have Captioning. Catholics with hearing loss deserve the fullness of their faith. Does your Diocese/Archdiocese have at least one Mass service in Captioning at a church that one who benefits from it can reasonably travel to in order to fully and actively participate at the Mass? Contact your Diocese/Archdiocese - find it here: http://www.usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/all-dioceses.cfm.)
Is your church or Diocese/Archdiocese inclusive to all those with hearing loss and deafness by providing Real time Captioning, Sign Language and Audio Loops? If not - Diversity and Inclusion Awareness is needed in order to share the joy of the gospel by applying Universal Communication Access. It is very important to share the Word of God with everyone. Let's pray for that!
Prayer of Inclusion: http://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/spirituality/prayers
"Ensure that the power of salvation may be shared by all" (John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, n. 16). "(Source: http://www.ncpd.org/views-news-policy/policy/church/bishops/welcome-and-justice)
"Be not Afraid, Open Wide the Gates" - Pope St. John Paul II (Source: http://jp2forum.blogspot.com/2013/12/be-not-afraid-resounding-from-1531-to.html)
CC-Caption Catholic
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