Why are Churches difficult for those who are deaf and hard of hearing?
"Your ears are connected to your heart "
Distorted Sounds:
The high ceilings of many churches, AND the microphone/sound system AND hard floors creates distortions and echo's all over the place. I know this because I use my residual hearing (wearing powerful hearing aids for my profound hearing loss that offer sound patterns which is not the same thing as hearing speech as it's all muffled, but useful in elimination process of any possible pattern associations) to guide my lipreading, along with seeing the body/facial language of the person - matching sounds to lips, facial expressions, and body language of that particular person speaking to figure it all out. Many of us use ALL tools for lipreading (making use of residual sound patterns aids in lipreading in case you didn't know). The sounds coming through the microphone are not the same sound patterns coming through with hearing aid or cochlear use alone that we are used to for assistance in lipreading. The sounds from the microphone makes it even more distorted when you add in the high ceilings and hard flooring or surfaces around the church. I've known many people with varying degrees of hearing loss in my life tell me similar stories.
For the hard of hearing (mild to moderate hearing loss) the use of an audio loop helps with this reduction in sound distortion, but for those with severe hearing loss, profound hearing loss, late deaf, oral deaf –they generally need captioning (either solo or as an addition to the audio loops to help track the audio). Because the sound patterns are all distorted due to high ceilings, microphone and hard floors it robs an important lip-reading tool for those of us who are more dependent on the combination of lipreading and sound patterns, and the audio loop just isn't powerful enough for them to overcome that distortion. It doesn't help either when the speaker walks around, drops their head when praying, the lights are changing with the natural sky lights in the ceilings or stain glass windows from one minute to the next depending on the sun that day and unpredictable shadow effects, dim lights in church, talking too fast or with an accent, or if you can't see their face and body language because someone is blocking it or the microphone is obscuring part of the face, along with many other dynamics (crying babies, musical instruments do not help hearing the words, adding to the distortion as well and so forth). The list goes on.
"but combining spaciousness with modern audio technology can lengthen the time for sound to reverberate, and the longer it takes a sound wave to fade into silence, the harder it is to understand the spoken word. " (Source: http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2013/11/catholic-churches-and-the-hard-of-hearing
This is why Captioning is needed for many of those with hearing loss and deafness. The mainstream have a hard time understanding this so I'm hoping my blog will raise that awareness. They either think hearing aids and cochlear implants are the 'cure all' or they think one can lipread w/o sound guidance of some kind (and w/o distortion created by the church building) so they may often offer you an 'oral interpreter' (even untrained ones) if you 'lip read', thinking that you can get any one to move their lips and not use sound with it when very few people can read lips w/o any kind of sound patterns to guide it. They often think sign language is used by all those with hearing loss and deafness when 90 percent of the deaf and hard of hearing do not know or use sign language, as well as thinking that American Sign Language is English in signs (rather then understanding that ASL is a foreign language with its own syntax and grammar). They frequently believe that someone providing notes for you allows full, active, effective and equal participation when it only gives you a basic summary but it doesn't connect you to the event or community to allow full, equal and active participation in real time that a full verbatim, audio or interpretation provides. That's why the mild and moderate hearing loss folks like Audio Loops, and the severe and profound hearing loss folks, late deaf and oral deaf like Captioning. For the culturally Deaf, they use ASL (American Sign Language) and that should be provided for them as well.
The majority of those with hearing loss and deafness use captioning and audio loops in educational, business and entertainment segments of secular society and it needs to be in place in worship services more as we live in 21st century not 17th or 18th. Understanding God's word in church is often more important to many people then what is available in secular society via captioning. Shouldn't the have full access to God's word?
Captioning can cover a wide spectrum of those with hearing loss including some of the culturally Deaf who are bilingual and if they feel comfortable with it. You have to ask of course. The hearing aid and the cochlear implant often don't adapt well for background noises or microphone use when placed in a high ceiling and hard floored church which is why the mild to moderate hearing loss folks love the audio loop. The audio loops though are not powerful enough (or reliable enough) for many of the more severe hearing loss folks, or profound hearing loss, and they like captioning, with the exception of the culturally Deaf who like ASL (American Sign Language). It's their language too, just like captioning is our language so whatever works for them and you – is what works as a valid and effective communication access allowing full, equal, active engagement, connection and participation! In general, ASL = Culturally Deaf, Captioning = late deaf, oral deaf, severe and profound hearing loss, Audio Loops = mild and moderate hearing loss (hard of hearing).
_______________________________________________________________________
The majority of those with hearing loss and deafness use captioning and audio loops in educational, business and entertainment segments of secular society and it needs to be in place in worship services more as we live in 21st century not 17th or 18th. Understanding God's word in church is often more important to many people then what is available in secular society via captioning. Shouldn't the have full access to God's word?
Captioning can cover a wide spectrum of those with hearing loss including some of the culturally Deaf who are bilingual and if they feel comfortable with it. You have to ask of course. The hearing aid and the cochlear implant often don't adapt well for background noises or microphone use when placed in a high ceiling and hard floored church which is why the mild to moderate hearing loss folks love the audio loop. The audio loops though are not powerful enough (or reliable enough) for many of the more severe hearing loss folks, or profound hearing loss, and they like captioning, with the exception of the culturally Deaf who like ASL (American Sign Language). It's their language too, just like captioning is our language so whatever works for them and you – is what works as a valid and effective communication access allowing full, equal, active engagement, connection and participation! In general, ASL = Culturally Deaf, Captioning = late deaf, oral deaf, severe and profound hearing loss, Audio Loops = mild and moderate hearing loss (hard of hearing).
_______________________________________________________________________
"… as many as half or more — simply stop attending if
they
they
can’t hear the sermon."
________________________________________________________________________
"If this is so, then amplification alone isn’t the answer. Real time captioning (CART) at church and meetings would help her far more than amplification in this case. "(Source: http://hearinglosshelp.com/weblog/hearing-loss-isnt-the-only-problem—discrimination-is-important-too.php
______________________________________________________________________
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.
"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)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"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)
________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________
______________________________________________________
What do the deaf and hard of hearing use for Communication Access?:
Lets pray that we break the
communication barriers for all!
more likely to be inactive Catholics
than their non-disabled counterparts."
" No captions is like no ramp for people in wheelchairs or signs stating ‘people with disabilities are not welcome."
This applies just as well to real time captioning in churches as well, only the church is ADA exempt. The ADA law does not apply to churches. The church and any kind of worship place of any faith is allowed to discriminate and not provide real time captioning for church services. 90 percent of the those with hearing loss do not attend church because the church is not accessible to them.
_________________________________________________________________________
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.)
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)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
" 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)
______________________________________________________________
"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)
"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)
__________________________________________________________________________
Captioning the Word: http://captioningtheword.com
___________________________________________________________
This Catholic church has real time captioning (CART) for the deaf and hard of hearing:
"St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, VA: HOMILY REAL-TIME TRANSLATION SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE VIA iPAD – Are you not hearing the Sunday mass homily as well as you’d like? Especially for the hearing impaired and deaf but open to all, you now have an amazing option to receive the Sunday mass homily, prayers of the faithful, and announcements via real-time translation (CART service) directly to your iPAD during mass! St. Theresa parishioner and professional court reporter Donna L. Linton has volunteered to provide the service (just like closed captioning on your television). Please contact Donna at CARTsttheresa@aol.com for information on mass times and how to join in. "
_______________________________________________________________________________________
"CART is a type of “accommodation”
service for people with disabilities. In
function, CART is similar to sign
language interpreting for people who are
deaf, because it transforms spoken
language into a visual format that is
appropriate for people with hearing loss.
But CART can be used by the 95% of
hard of hearing and deaf people who do
not use American Sign Language (ASL)
to communicate."
(Source: http://www.visiblevoices.com/faq.html)
service for people with disabilities. In
function, CART is similar to sign
language interpreting for people who are
deaf, because it transforms spoken
language into a visual format that is
appropriate for people with hearing loss.
But CART can be used by the 95% of
hard of hearing and deaf people who do
not use American Sign Language (ASL)
to communicate."
(Source: http://www.visiblevoices.com/faq.html)
________________________________
 |
_____________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________
What is the Catholic Mass?: http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/mass.php
______________________________________________________
Technology and the 'new deaf way':
This is an interesting perspective. I personally don't get hung up about this because for me, the way I see deafness is that there are many ways to be deaf, and that makes us all unique, wonderful, awesome, and so much diversity among us!
see http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/how-technology-could-threaten-deaf-identity/361604/
see http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/how-technology-could-threaten-deaf-identity/361604/
_________________________________________________
Catholic Mass for the deaf and hard of hearing:
"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…"
(Source: http://www.dioslc.org/ministries/disabilities/guidelines-for-accommodating-people-with-disabilities)
________________________________________________________
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)
__________________________________
 |
Pray For Us All!
|
___________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________________
"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)
__________________________________________________________
Lets pray that we break the
communication barriers for all!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"Catholics with disabilities are much
more likely to be inactive Catholics
than their non-disabled counterparts."
________________________________________________
" 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
__________________________________________________________
"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 __________________________________________________________________"People who learn English as a second language often understand English text better than speech".(Source: http://www.captionaccess.com/faq/)____________________________________________________
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)
_________________________________________________________________
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
