Perhaps here lies the answer of this pervasive lack of access in many churches for the deaf
and hard of hearing and those with hearing loss. The churches don't provide access and
the deaf and hard of hearing are passive and don't speak up for their rights and needs
even if churches are ADA exempt. Or they do speak up but 'effective communication' is denied
to them. (see ADA law of 2010 revision regarding how effective communication is defined)
Deafness communication accomodations and access
is diverse too (sign language, real time live captioning (CART or remote CART or Thinkwell,
assistive listening devices, professional oral interpreter etc) and not just one type or one size fits all:
"I did what so many other deaf and hard-of-hearing people have done. I sat politely in my pew, pretending to understand, simply to receive the Eucharist. I grieve for the thousands of deaf people who no longer could sit politely and have left this church. "
"I think they have been used to “sitting at the back of the bus” so long, they don’t realize segregation has ended on all fronts, and they don’t even recognize discrimination."
(Source: http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/16/deaf-discrimination-to-deaf/)
“If we can start to understand how
"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/)
“If we can start to understand how
people with disabilities respond
to the church, then we can see
how other people who might feel
excluded can be drawn in". -
See more at: http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201312/ramp-it-how-parishes-can-increase-accessibility-28230#sthash.2NCKxs0O.dpuf
"Another set of statistics, however, shows that a full 98 percent of those who are deaf or hearing impaired rarely or never attend church. " (Source: http://www.stenotype.edu/news/stenographer-goes-church/#sthash.T6dA2OpF.dpuf)
How do you make it Inclusive to all those who are deaf and hard of hearing?
"Another set of statistics, however, shows that a full 98 percent of those who are deaf or hearing impaired rarely or never attend church. " (Source: http://www.stenotype.edu/news/stenographer-goes-church/#sthash.T6dA2OpF.dpuf)
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."
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