Experiences of the deaf and hard of hearing

“I honestly feel that hearing impairment is much worse than my inability to walk, because it is so isolating. At least once I get to where I’m going, I can enjoy it thoroughly. Also, I think sometimes people feel that having a sign language interpreter satisfies the requirement to make a performance accessible for the hearing impaired, not realizing that the majority of people who lose their hearing as they age or from disease do not learn sign language” (Source:  https://broadwaydancecenter.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/hard-times-on-broadway-for-the-hard-of-hearing/)

" The majority of deaf and hard of  hearing people  are oral using spoken languages and  know a little  or no sign language to benefit from interpreters, so signed events are still   not “fully”  inclusive, especially for those people."    (Source: http://audio-accessibility.com/news/2013/12/importance-of-quality-communication-access-no-waving-hands-or-auto-captioning/)

"Those benefitting from these stenography services include U.S. military and war veterans who suffer hearing loss sustained from being in close proximity to explosions or from repeatedly operating loud weaponry. "- See more at: http://www.stenotype.edu/news/stenographers-captioning-and-cart-professionals-celebrate-october-as-disability-employment-awareness-month/#sthash.6PfiBdEN.dpuf

 Fully connected to the Mass -- An Article:     http://catholicherald.com/stories/Fully-connected-to-the-
Mass,26818

"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

Catholics With Hearing Loss Yahoo Forum Group

If you are Catholic with a hearing loss (mild to profound) and  interested in
discussing with others about how to make the Mass and other parts of church
life more accessible, along with supporting one another spiritually  - Subscribe at

cccatholic-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Group Description

Catholics with Hearing loss interested in having the Mass in CC (CART), audio induction loops and other accommodations, along with conferences and workshops and how to support accessibility in the church and one another.