What Churches should know about accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing :  What does 'effective    
                       communication'  mean?

ADA standard for ‘effective communication’ is the model.

2010 Standards for Accessible Design have been implemented as a revision of the 1990 law.  It took effect in March 2011.

A snapshot of this revision is:

“The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.” (Examples: Qualified ASL and Oral/Cue interpreters, CART, ALDs, captioned phones etc.)

Considers the method of communication used by the individual, along with the nature, length, and complexity of the communication involved and the context in which the communication is taking place (large group/small group/one-on-one). The person’s communication framework depends on their primary language, age, any co-occurring disabilities and so forth.

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/)

"What does it mean for communication to be “effective”? Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities."

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap3toolkit.htm)

Examples of Effective communication:   http://www.dartmouth.edu/~accessibility/effcomm/index.html

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

(Source: http://www.ada.gov/business/accessiblemtg.htm