Cochlear Implants

Who are getting Cochlear implants?:  "More than half of all deaf children are now getting cochlear implants, and every year the number increases. One-in-four deaf adults also now have it, though it takes longer for adult brains to adapt to hearing sound."  (Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/04/08/150245885/cochlear-implants-redefine-what-it-means-to-be-deaf)"Children and adults who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing can be fitted for cochlear implants. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of December 2012, approximately 324,200 people worldwide have received implants. In the United States, roughly 58,000 adults and 38,000 children have received them." (Source: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/coch.aspx)

Cochlear implants are not for everyone, (and not everyone can afford them, especially adults because often the co payment of their health insurance is high, compared to children who are covered 100 percent), but for those who did get cochlear implants, here is a nice link in which they share their experiences, speaking for themselves:  http://cochlearimplantonline.com/site/life/speaking-up-for-themselves/

"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