Access to the Word of God? 

 I kept researching and found that the lack of access is not just limited to the Catholic church but widespread in all churches and other houses of worships of many other faiths as well:  "As evidence, she cites a recent survey asking church leaders if they accommodate deaf or hard-of-hearing members. “Fifty-six percent said they don’t,” she says. "(Source: http://churchexecutive.com/archives/making-worship-accessible-to-everyone-By RaeAnn Slaybaugh)  

Does your church have Captioning, Sign Language and Audio Loops or Assistive Listening devices for those with hearing loss and deafness and recognizing the diversity of communication needs?  While half the churches accommodate, do they accommodate ALL those with hearing loss or only a segment of the hearing loss population? 

I wonder if churches realize when they say they serve the  deaf and hard of hearing that they are diverse?  Just having Sign language won't do it. Just having captioning won't do it either, or ALD's. All three need to be in place.   We are diverse. Some people use oral interpreters too, and you don't just get anyone either.  Oral  interpreters should be professionals, certified, and not borrowing the sign language interpreter to do this job too. 

"A student CART (captioning) reporter practicing at church says about those with hearing loss in church; "Sadly, I “hear” about this too often, in church and classrooms. Those sharing “how can I hear the word of God” are the consumers."  (Source:  http://monettebenoit.com/tag/communication-access-real-time-translation/-By Monette Benoit)

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

In the secular world, ADA laws helps to support Captioning as a valid equal communication access to those with hearing loss and deafness.  See http://www.nad.org/issues/technology/captioning/when-required. However, the church is exempt from ADA laws. Many people with hearing loss and deafness do not have access to God's word if it is not a hearing accessible church (whether they use Captioning, Sign Language or Audio Loops etc. ).  

Captioning is used by many. More people can
have access to the Word of God with real time captioning.