No One is Listening in Churches Either

This is an interesting article at 

https://katherinebouton.com/2016/03/26/hard-of-hearing-nobodys-listening/

Read all the comments too.

And clearly nobody is listening, not even in churches.

Article on accessible Catholic Mass for the deaf and hard of hearing, plus a comment from me

CLOSED CAPTIONING DURING TV MASS BETTER SERVES FAITHFUL

The Sunday TV Mass on WFFT-TV and WNDU-TV has been offering closed captioning (CC) since Feb. 1 in Fort Wayne and March 15 in South Bend.

All televisions are equipped with the CC feature noted Fort Wayne TV Mass co-producer Beth Machall-Dwyer. “The viewer uses the ‘CC’ button on the TV remote or by checking the settings for ‘Closed Captioning’ in the menus on their TV or converter box,” Machall-Dwyer said.

Via a telephone connection, a professional captioning service accesses the audio going to the WFFT or WNDU transmitter. A transcriber — a real human being — listens to the Mass and transcribes what is heard and types out the captions live.

Sister Agnes Marie Regan, a Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration who produces the TV Mass on WNDU and who serves as the hostess, told Today’s Catholic that many viewers asked for the closed captioning for the TV Mass.

“Over the years, we’ve been frequently asked about the possibility of ‘closed captioning’ as many of our viewing congregration have age-related hearing difficulties,” Sister Agnes Marie noted. “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. What a beautiful gift of making inclusion in our Sunday TV Mass liturgies more complete.”

Machall-Dwyer added, “Many of our viewers are elderly, homebound Catholics that are unable to attend Mass at their parish. This is an important ministry that enables them to attend Mass without leaving their homes. The same holds true for others that are not mobile, such as the hospitalized.”

The closed captioning is sponsored by D.O. McComb and Sons on WFFT-TV and by Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center on WNDU-TV.

“Our hope is that this also touches those that are not Catholic or have fallen away from the Church,” she added. “There are other national/international televised Masses available. What is unique about ours is that it is local. Local, familiar priests celebrate. I have to believe that our Catholic viewers enjoy seeing priests that they know.”

The TV Mass accepts donations to pay for broadcasting costs. Contact Tina in the Office of Communications at 260-744-0012 for information.

Above information taken from:  http://www.todayscatholicnews.org/2015/03/closed-captioning-during-tv-mass-better-serves-faithful/

My Comment on the article:  

This is very nice.   It is a wonderful service.

However, the 1 in 5 Americans who have a hearing loss are not necessarily elderly or home bound. 

 While hearing loss does increase with age, there is plenty who are not elderly and can also benefit from CC.  1 in 3 Americans over age 65 have a hearing loss and these are not necessarily homebound either just because they are elderly!  There are lots of active elderly folks who have a hearing loss.  

Churches need to provide CC at their services too so we can go in person to hear the Mass.   On top of this, 90 percent or more of those who have a hearing loss do NOT attend services because it is NOT accessible.  

If you want to touch those who are not Catholic or have fallen away from the church who have a hearing loss, you need to be able to at least let them hear the message at the service as well because many are mobile.  Don’t expect them to just sit there and be unable to participate or follow along when you dont include them by making it accessible. Don't expect them to do this week after week, year after year.   Most will not tolerate that non inclusive, unwelcoming and frankly very rude approach of not making it accessible, especially if you tell them to go to Mass and yet not make it accessible to them,  or invite them back and then not make it accessible.  That doesn't work very well in today's world in which ADA mandates take place for accessibility.

Technology today is available to make the Mass accessible to those with  hearing loss.  Its affordable any more then the expensive organ or sound system a church has so people can enjoy it and participate more.  If many have not been to church in a long time they are not being evangelized at the Mass because they can't hear it. That means your homily too, prayers of the faithful, announcements, blessings and more. All these things are community based participation and you deny them that if you don't make it accessible to them.  You reach the fallen away when they hear the message and can participate and connect.  Evangelization happens with connection.

Remember too that other parts of church life are often not accessible to them so the Mass should at least be accessible.  I know churches provide music CD's (not accessible) online faith formation (but the company failed to provide CC to all its programs so that is not accessible too).  Bible study groups are often not accessible and some of them are using video's and DVDs that don't have CC on them. Confessional booths may or may not be accessible in which they may have to make special appointments for and not spontaneous show ups because of the way it is often set up. Privacy is not considered (no slit  in grill to pass back and forth paper and pen is common in some churches  so its usually face to face and not a grill for those with hearing loss -no options provided is common).

The church is not really hearing loss friendly or accessible in many ways.The Mass at least should be.  If there is one thing to pick on, its making the Mass more accessible to them.

None the less, this is a beautiful inclusive idea to let the homebound deaf and hard of hearing folks to have access to the Mass, at least on TV.  I would just like to see the church also provide CC at their services too.  Its called CART, voice writer, automation captioning, Typewell and other text based services. Even a powerpoint with the homily script done ahead of time and songs and community prayers on powerpoint with someone using a teacher stick to guide them along is a step in the right direction.

Don’t exclude these people from participating at Mass, so they can be able to follow along and know what is going on.  Its very evangelizing too to hear the message.   Its the right thing to do to share the joy of the gospel message.  

Meanwhile until the churches start providing CC at their services, attending Mass via TV with CC is a very evangelizing service for even the mobile faithful and those curious about the Catholic faith and the fallen away.I encourage that!

One creative way is to go to Mass twice, one via TV with CC and the other at a non accessible Catholic church to receive Communion.  Save your donation for the TV Mass funding though, and none to minimal basket donation to any church that is not accessible for those with hearing loss.  Maybe they will get the message that way and make it more accessible for those with  hearing loss by providing CC for their services.  Then we can donate if they make it accessible to the 'disabled'. ADA is the law in the secular world but not in churches. Churches are exempt from ADA laws. But shouldn't it be accessible any ways so the gospel message can be shared?

                                    The Kennedy Center is Accessible.


Kennedy Center in DC area  uses captioning (and sign language and assistive listening devices). 

See http://www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility/hearing.html

The Kennedy Center recognizes the diversity within the deaf and hard of hearing population.

Not everyone uses assistive listening devices.  Not everyone uses CART/captioning.  Not everyone uses sign language.  They provide CART/captioning, ASL and ALD's for the diverse deaf and
hard of hearing population because of this.

The Kennedy Center also advertises this accessibility on their website. It is inclusive.


Is Your Church accessible too and inclusive to all the deaf and hard of hearing? Do you let 
them know its available on Diocese and Church websites like the Kennedy Center does?
Do you let them know what is available?  Do you let them know they can request it?  How will they know what is available if it is not listed on websites, newsletter, or a bulletin or something?  How will they know they can ask for it?

My suggestion is to encourage inclusion (and evangelization) by putting on websites and bulletins and newsletters that they can request these communication accommodations that will break the sound barriers. Otherwise they may not know what is available and what they can ask for, or that they can even ask.

The secular world is increasingly accessible and inclusive for the deaf and hard of hearing and they will let them know it is accessible as well by stating it on their websites and newsletters etc.  Shouldn't the churches be accessible and inclusive too and indicate that it is accessible?

                                 Why a Homily?                                                  

" The homily has special importance due 

to its eucharistic context: it surpasses all 

forms of catechesis as the supreme 

moment in the dialogue between God and his 

people which lead up to sacramental 

communion. “  -Pope Francis 

(Source:  http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium_en.html#I.%26%238194%3BThe_entire_people_of_God_proclaims_the_Gospel)

               
                What do they mean by Mass for the Hearing Impaired?

Do you ever see that on some  Catholic church websites? I do.  Check it out for yourself.  It makes me scratch my head.  What does that mean?

Does it mean the Mass is accessible to the hearing impaired?  Who are the hearing impaired?   When I check it out, I often only find ASL.  Is
a Mass in ASL, a Mass for the hearing impaired?

Indeed the mainstream often think all the deaf and hard of hearing use sign language when the diversity is not explained further.  You can find many church websites saying something to the effect 'Mass for the Hearing Impaired' only to find out it only offers sign language, while totally necessary, it does not provide access to the majority of the 'hearing impaired'. Both Captioning, Sign language, and Audio loops are very effective communication access that can provide 'Sacrosanctum Concilium'  for the diverse deaf and hard of hearing population.

"Only a small percentage of those who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing communicate through American Sign Language. Providing CART services can help overcome this barrier.

ASL is a form of language, and many people who communicate through ASL may not have the reading comprehension or speed necessary to utilize CART. However, many individuals who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing, especially late-deafened adults and those who lost their hearing after learning speech, read lips and rely solely on CART and captioning in group settings. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution when dealing with communication access. Consumers need access to the accommodation that best meets their individual needs. “ 

(Source:  http://alacarteconnection.com/how-works/

                       Why can’t we just provide ASL interpreters for everyone?

"Only a small percentage of those who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing communicate through American Sign Language. Providing CART services can help overcome this barrier.

ASL is a form of language, and many people who communicate through ASL may not have the reading comprehension or speed necessary to utilize CART. However, many individuals who are deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing, especially late-deafened adults and those who lost their hearing after learning speech, read lips and rely solely on CART and captioning in group settings. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution when dealing with communication access. Consumers need access to the accommodation that best meets their individual needs. “ 

(Source:  http://alacarteconnection.com/how-works/

"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." 

                 The Smithsonian Museum is Accessible

Tours and program during Smithosian visit in Washington, DC  

http://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/accessibility.htm

If you would like to have a sign language interpreter or real-time captioning (CART), you should call (202) 633-3611 or send an e-mail toNaturalExperience@si.edu.

Every faith should be accessible to the deaf:  https://www.munkymind.com/blog/2016/03/21/every-faith-should-be-accessible-for-the-deaf/

A Mass that was captioned:  http://ncra.www.staging.cms-plus.com/Specialty/contentCARTP.cfm?ItemNumber=9124

        Getting Personal with God at the Catholic Mass

“You don’t really have a relationship with God if you don’t hear the sermon,” she said.:  (Source:  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700052299/Churches-showing-the-way-for-hearing-impaired.html?pg=all)

How Catholics can help their relationship with God:  
http://catholicphilly.com/2014/02/think-tank/archbishop-chaput-column/ten-ways-to-deepen-our-relationship-with-god/

Get Personal with God:  http://catholicherald.com/stories/Establish-a-personal-relationship-with-God,26685

Having effective communication access like CART (real time captioning), qualified/certified oral  interpreter, sign language interpreter and audio induction loops or FM system/Assistive

Listening devices help the diverse hearing impaired population to connect to the Mass and deepen their relationship with God, and worship experiencing sharing with the community.

"That’s why the Church allowed for the native language {in real time} — to promote a full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful in all the prayers, hymns, and responses of the Mass all over the world. Since Vatican II, Catholics have been asked — and are strongly encouraged — to participate fully in the Mass, not just to physically attend.” (Source:  http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/celebrating-catholic-mass-in-the-local-language.html)

Real time Captioning (like CC you see on the live news on TV) or CART is real time verbatim of English for the deaf and hard of hearing so they can participate at the Mass.  Connecting is important. It deepens your relationship with God with real time
'listening' with the community via translation of CART from
spoken to verbatim in real time.

"When an event needs to be made inclusive, projecting the CART display for the benefit of the entire room can be the best way to provide universal access for Deaf, late deafened, and hard of hearing people, as well as people who might have some degree of hearing loss but who don’t self-identify as hard of hearing or deaf. CART is also useful for English language learners and people with dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, or ADHD. When the CART display is available to every audience member, no one has to feel singled out or as if they’re demanding special privileges. Everyone benefits."

  (Source:  http://composition.al/blog/2014/05/31/your-next-conference-should-have-real-time-captioning/)

What is active participation?:  http://www.stjeromewaco.org/documents/17%20-%20Active%20Participation%20in%20the%20Holy%20Mass%20(L).pdf

Connecting to the Homily during the Sacred Liturgy:  http://buildingontheword.org/homilies/the-catholic-approach-to-preaching/

US Bishops wrote:

"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)




Hearing Impairment is more widespread then you think.

"The parish is the door to participation for individuals with disabilities, and it is the responsibility of the pastor and lay leaders to make sure this door is always open')" 

 (Source:  http://www.disabilityawarenesstraining.com/component/content/article/3/40

This is an interesting article how churches could provide better access for the deaf and hard of hearing:  

Losing My Religion? : http://origin.misc.pagesuite.com/pdfdownload/7c11713b-7af4-45b3-86b6-2026d9ce54e4.pdf

                      Don't ignore the deaf and hard of hearing in Church

Ignoring your hearing loss won’t make the problem go away. 

 Having the church ignore the problem won’t make it go away either. 

 Remember that bumper sticker that says ‘I’m not deaf, I'm ignoring you'? 

 Ignoring the deaf won’t make the problem go away.

 They still don’t have access to church life unless there is Captioning, Sign Language and Audio Loops, whichever is their social -cultural and linguistic preference that works for that person and makes it effective in order for them to fully participate at Mass.  

Captioning, though benefits a wide spectrum of those with hearing loss and including other ‘disabilities’ that need comprehension and effective communication support by providing captioning of the spoken word.

Don’t look the other way and ignore the deaf and hard of hearing in church.

Why not advertise a simple but very evangelizing message to them in your bulletins and newsletters saying:

Are you deaf or hard of hearing? Can’t hear the Mass?  Audio Induction Loops, CART/captioning, and sign language is available upon request.  Contact ABC person at XYZ number or ask  your pastor for further information.

That way it lets people know what is available, and that they can actually

ask for it in order to participate in church.  Otherwise, how will they

know they can ask for it and what to ask for?  

Encourage your diocese and churches to reach out with this

very simple message letting them know the church is accessible to them.

                            Can't Hear the Catholic Mass?


Does your diocese or church have this in their newsletters and
bulletins to make it known that their churches are accessible?


Are you deaf or hard of hearing?  Can't hear the Mass?  Audio
induction loops, CART, and sign language is available upon
request.  Contact your diocese at...........or ask your pastor for
further information.

"The leadership of a church needs to adopt a Church Disability Policy that includes adhering to the ADA to end disability discrimination--and make it known. The church can end its disability discrimination by pro-actively utilizing universal design, that is, by designing things and activities in a way that includes people who have impairments and pro-actively making accommodations available to people who could not otherwise participate—and making known what is available."

source:  http://network.crcna.org/disability-concerns/q-ada-church-and-americans-disabilities-act

                Are the Churches Prepared? 

"The Americans with Disabilities Act, which became law in 1992, changed the landscape of accessibility to public places in the United States. In general, churches are exempt from ADA. The law applies to the church if it has 15 or more employees and one of them has a disability. ADA also applies to the portion of the facility a church rents for a fee, which must then be accessible to people with disabilities.”

Nevertheless, ADA has had an impact on churches by creating a set of standards for accessibility. Church leaders who desire to make their facilities accessible to all people now have a benchmark that they can meet—or exceed—to accomplish this goal."

Source:  http://www.churchlawandtax.com/web/2013/march/prepare-way.html?start=4

"Various ways exist to accommodate the needs of deaf or hard-of-hearing worshipers. Signing is one alternative that provides an attractive and public volunteer ministry for interpreters. Another is called "real time" closed-captioning of songs and sermon wording on a video screen. This will require investment in a computer, software, caption encoder, and a stenographer with the skill level of a court reporter to enter the data. Some churches feature amplification systems for people with hearing impairment but who are not deaf.”

Source:  http://www.churchlawandtax.com/web/2013/march/prepare-way.html?start=4

My comment:  You don’t need to buy all that real time closed captioning system.  An ASR CART transcriber can provide that, or a steno  CART transcriber, or a voice writer  CART  transcriber – the three forms of CART real time captioning.  Its part of the price of their service.  The only thing that is needed is any cell phone, tablet, laptop on the clients part that has internet connection.  Either 4G cell phone/tablet, or wifi/laptop.  The person views real time captioning on their cell phone or tablet.

While screens can be placed on the wall or projected on a screen, more and more people are using the cell phone and tablet to view real time captioning.

               The deaf and hard of hearing lost in the shuffle

"Oral deaf and hard of hearing people often resent being viewed as being part of the Deaf community which is often the result of a mainstreamed confusion about the provision of accommodation. In addition, the hearing population can be puzzled by the myriad of communication options and communication supports resulting in situations where a needed accommodation is attempted, but falls short. For example, non-signing people with hearing loss regularly arrive at events advertised as accessible expecting appropriate amplification or text-based access, only to find a signed language interpreter standing by but no captioner or amplification technology. "

Source and see more at https://www.chs.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/beyond_ableism_and_audism_2013july.pdf

             What is the Speech Banana?

Hearing Loss Simulator: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hearing-loss-simulator/id398352094?mt=8

                         Personalizing the Homily


"The homily is a Personal word. "Before anything else...the Sunday homily is the word of a person of faith, the word of a person who has experienced the Lord and who wishes to share that experience." (page53). Paul VI said that our modern world thirsts for authenticity and a homily that is personal will communicate verbally and non-verbally the preacher’s authentic love of God and pastoral love for the assembly."

(Source:  http://www.preacherexchange.com/br_writtentextbecomes.htm)

"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

"You get the jokes, the satire, the innuendo. You have full access. You are an equal participant. That’s CART Captioning. That’s Communication Access Realtime Translation.”  (Source:  http://www.realtimeworldwide.com/services/cart-communication-access-realtime-translation/)

"Accessible meeting space allows

 everyone to participate." 

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

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/)