World
Without Hearing News
ISSN 1715-2488 On Line Edition
February 2012, Vol. 1
World Without Hearing News
is published weekly on weekends. Go to our
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not a news clipping service - all our articles are written by staff or are
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Events I
Previous Issues I
Employment
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USA
FLORIDA: School Board Addresses Security Concerns at FSDB
MSNBC reports that a sometimes confrontational
meeting was held to talk about security concerns at the Florida School for the
Deaf and Blind (FSDB) on January 27th. School trustees and residents met in an
emergency public meeting to talk about suspicious activity around the campus.
School police said that in the last few weeks, there were reports of suspicious
people in the public alley by the girls dormitory. There are reports of a man
taking pictures of students from an unknown car. Residents said the reports are
not true and accuse police of calling everyday activities suspicious and
harrassing them. Police chief Jerry Chalee disagreed and said that the police
reports speak for themselves. Another meeting
will be held on February 10th.
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MISSOURI: Court Dismisses Deaf Person's Injury Claim
Outpatient Surgery
reports that a deaf St. Peters woman's claim that she was injured because her
hospital failed to provide a sign language interpreter has been dismissed by an
appeals court. Amanda Crider claims that she mistakedy believed that an epidural
injection was necessary during childbirth. She said that the injection caused her persistent physical pain and other
symptoms associated with epidural use. Crider says that she informed the staff on
her admission to Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital that she wanted to have
natural childbirth without pain medications unless absolutely necessary. Crider
claims that she gave "uninformed consent" to the epidural. Court records say
that the hospital "could not and did not provide her with interpretation
services to assist in explaining why they felt an epidural was necessary" and
that Crider "mistakenly believed that the epidural was medically necessary."
Crider had sought damages in a trial court that dismissed her complaint on the
grounds that she did not file the appropriate affidavit and because she was not
alleging that the hospital "improperly rendered or failed to render healthcare
services." The appeal decision upheld a trial court's judgement.
MICHIGAN: Justice Department Settles ADA Lawsuit with Henry Ford Health System
US Dept. of Justice / - The Justice Department has reached a settlement
with the Henry Ford Health System to ensure that they provide effective communication with
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in the provision of medical
services. The agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
resolves a complaint filed with the Department of Justice that alleged that the
Henry Ford Health System failed to provide sign language interpreters to a deaf
patient at one of its in-patient psychiatric facilities and to his family
members who are also deaf and need interpreters to communicate effectively with
health care providers. The complaint alleged that the health system violated the
ADA by failing to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including
sign language interpreter services, to a deaf patient and his family at Kingwood
Hospital in Ferndale, Michigan. Because of the hospital’s failure to provide
sign language interpreter services, a deaf individual was denied the benefit of
effective communication with hospital staff, the opportunity to effectively
participate in medical treatment decisions, and the full benefit of health care
services provided by Kingswood Hospital, which is a part of the health system.
The Justice Department then conducted a full review of the health system and
determined that systems were not adequate to ensure that deaf and hard of
hearing patients are provided with auxiliary aids and services to guarantee
effective communication throughout their medical treatment. The settlement
agreement requires the health system to provide training to hospital staff on
the requirements of the ADA; to adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure
that auxiliary aids and services are promptly provided to patients or companions
who are deaf or hard of hearing; and to appoint a corporate ADA administrator and
ADA facilitators at each of its hospitals, urgent care facilities, medical
clinics, community health centers and affiliated health care facilities to
ensure access to appropriate auxiliary aids and services. The settlement
agreement also requires the Henry Ford Health System to pay $70,000 to family
members who were denied effective communication. The ADA prohibits
discrimination against individuals with disabilities by hospitals. Among other
things, the ADA requires doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to
provide equal access to patients and companions who are deaf or hard of hearing.
When medical services involve important, lengthy or complex oral communications
with patients or companions, hospitals are generally required to provide
qualified sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids, free of charge,
to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities. The
appropriate auxiliary aid to be provided depends on a variety of factors,
including the nature, length and importance of the communication; the context of
the communication; the communication skills and knowledge of the individual who
is deaf or hard of hearing; and the individual’s stated need for a particular
type of auxiliary aid. Those interested in finding out more about this
settlement or hospitals’ effective communication obligations under the ADA may
call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or
800-514-0383 (TTY), or access its ADA website at
www.ada. gov.
TSA Announces Launch of TSA Cares Toll Free Helpline for Travelers with
Disabilities
Washington, DC / TSA / - The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the launch of TSA Cares, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and
medical conditions prior to getting to the airport. Travelers may call TSA
Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about
screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security
checkpoint When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA
Cares, a representative will provide assistance, either with information about
screening that is relevant to the passenger’s specific disability or medical
condition, or the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA. TSA
recommends that passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so that
TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA
Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary. Every person and
item must be screened before entering the secure area of an airport and the
manner in which the screening is conducted will depend on the passenger’s
abilities and any specific equipment brought to the security checkpoint. All travelers may
ask to speak to a TSA supervisor if questions about screening procedures arise
while at the security checkpoint. The hours of operation for the TSA Cares
helpline are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal
holidays. After hours, travelers can find information about traveling with
disabilities and medical needs on TSA’s website. All travelers can contact TSA
using Talk To TSA, a web-based tool that allows passengers to reach out to an
airport Customer Service Manager directly, and the TSA Contact Center,
1-866-289-9673 and
TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide
suggestions, and file complaints. Website:
http://www. tsa. gov.
Lowering Cost Doesn’t Increase Hearing
Aid Purchases, Says Study
Henry Ford Hospital
/ Detroit / - Lowering the cost of hearing aids isn't enough to motivate
adults with mild hearing loss to purchase a device at a younger age or before
their hearing worsens, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital. A new
study shows that simply lowering the cost of hearing aids - even by as much as
40% - does not improve hearing aid purchase for patients with partial insurance
coverage or those who need to cover the entire cost out of pocket. Only patients
with full insurance coverage for hearing aids get them at a younger age and with
significantly less hearing loss than patients with partial or no coverage.
Still, those with full coverage were less likely to upgrade to more advanced
devices, or purchase hearing aids for both ears than others in the study, if it
meant going beyond what's covered by insurance and having to pay for additional
costs. "Many in health care assume that patients would more readily acquire
hearing aids at a younger age or before their hearing loss becomes more severe
if the devices were less expensive," says study lead author Virginia
Ramachandran, Au.D., an audiologist at Henry Ford Hospital. "But it's clear from
our study that patients are motivated by more than cost when deciding to
purchase hearing aids." The study appears in the May issue of
The Hearing
Journal. Hearing loss is a common condition in older adults. For many it's
more of an annoyance rather than something that impacts their ability to
function. In fact, about 75% to 80% of adults with mild hearing loss do not get
hearing aids, despite the potential benefits. In many cases, patients have
negative attitudes toward hearing aids, even though the devices have greatly
improved in terms of comfort and visibility in the ear. Likewise, patients with
mild hearing loss often feel they don't need hearing aids. Study co-author Brad
A. Stach, Ph.D., points out that a lot of people view buying a hearing aid along
same line as buying a new refrigerator: "It's an expensive item, so even if it's
on sale, you won't spend the extra money unless you need it. "On the other hand,
if you need a new refrigerator, you'll shop around to get the best value for the
best appliance. It's no different with hearing aids. Most patients will only get
them if they feel they need them, regardless of cost, and will often spend a
little extra to get the best device," says Dr. Stach, division head of Henry
Ford Audiology. Aside from the Veteran's Administration system, hearing aid care
in the U.S. is generally not fully covered by insurance. To determine how much
of a factor cost is in hearing aid acquisition, the Henry Ford study looked at
1,200 patients who got hearing aids between 2007 and 2010. The patients had
either full insurance coverage, partial insurance coverage or had to cover the
entire cost out of pocket (private pay). As part of the study, the cost for
hearing aids in the partial insurance coverage group was reduced by 20% for two
devices or 40% for one device. The study shows that patients who had full
coverage for hearing aids obtained them about seven years earlier and with
better hearing than the other two groups. But there was no difference in age or
hearing loss between people who paid for the full cost of hearing aids or
purchased hearing aids at a substantially reduced cost. The more patients had to
pay out of pocket (partial and private pay groups) the more likely they were to
upgrade to a more advanced device. Patients with full coverage were the least
likely to upgrade, and only purchased what was fully covered by insurance.
According to the study, the only situation in which patients are motivated to
get hearing aids earlier is when they are provided at no cost. But "free" could
come at a higher price to patients' hearing health, says Dr. Ramachandran. "If
insurance only fully covers certain hearing aids, patients may miss out on
reaping the benefits of more technologically advanced devices or devices better
suited to their needs. What people may not realize is that hearing aids now
aren't like the ones your grandparents used to wear. Most are small and very
easy to wear," says Dr. Ramachandran. "The challenge is changing old perceptions
about hearing aids, and showing patients that the benefits far outweigh concerns
about appearance and even cost." Dr. Ramachandran adds that hearing aids can
have tremendous benefit for patients with milder degrees of hearing loss, but
the most important thing is that the hearing aids are appropriately fit by an
experienced audiologist. Even the best hearing aid on the market won't help if
it is not fit properly by an expert, he said.
U.S. Marines Mandates
Hearing Tests
The
Marine Corp Times
reports that all Marines will undergo yearly hearing tests. Marine
administrative message 010/12 states that Marines who have not had a hearing
test in the past year must get one before May 5. Marines now have a new policy
of "100 percent hearing readiness."
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INTERNATIONAL
AUSTRALIA: Bullied Deaf Boy Unable to Attend Deaf School
The West Australian reports that a deaf boy can't attend a deaf school
because his mother can't afford the rent in the area. Mother Myra Smithers had
arranged for son Mitchell Wilkes-Douglas to attend the Mosman Park School for
Deaf Children in Perth. Smithers, a single parent, said that Mitchell was
physically and verbally attacked at his local school, Glencoe Primary School in Mandurah. He
claims that students threw chairs and tables at him, swore and taunted
him, calling him a "deaf-mute." An investigation by the Department of Education
found that Glencoe did not deal effectively with bullying. Smithers has applied
for housing, but was told there is a 2 and a half year waiting list. The travel
between Mandurah and Perth exceeds the legal limit established by the Department
of Education.
CANADA: CAD Continues Fight for National Video
Relay Services in Canada
Ottawa, Ont. / CAD / -
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) has announced
the latest steps in their battle for a permanent Video Relay Service (VRS) in
Canada that includes spoken languages (English and French) and signed languages
American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ)). On
February 9 and 10, 2012, CAD Vice President Frank Folino will meet with Scott
Simms, Liberal Critics for Canadian Heritage and Vice Chair on Standing
Committee for Canadian Heritage; Marc Garnaeau, Liberal House Leader; Rodger
Cuzner, Liberal Critics for Human Resources & Skills Development and Labour and
Vice Chair on Standing Committee for Human Resources, Skills and Social
Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities; a representative from
Liberal Interim Leader’s office; Geoff Regan, Liberal Critics for Industry and
Consumer Affairs; Paul Calandera, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Canadian Heritage; other possible Conservative Member of Parliaments; and Peter
Julian from the New Democratic Party of Canada. Mr. Folino, along with CAD
Executive Director Jim Roots, will attend the final meeting of Bell Canada’s VRS
Feasibility Study Advisory Council on February 16, 2012, in Toronto. The
Council, which has been meeting regularly for one year, will review the final
report for a national Video Relay Service (VRS). Also attending will be
representatives from the Canadian Hearing Society, the Ontario Association of
the Deaf, and Centre québécois de la déficience auditive. Bell Canada will
submit the final report to the CRTC by the end of February. The report will
cover topics such as program governance, technology requirements, numbers of
projected calls, numbers of projected minutes, fraud protection, funding
programs, education and outreach, and interpreter services. CAD has launched an
online petition to demand that the House of Commons, Government of Canada,
Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament support a permanent national
Video Relay Service (VRS) in Canada by this fall 2012. The CAD has been fighting for a national VRS since
2004 and says it will not stop until it is established on a permanent funded
basis.
NEW ZEALAND: Auckland research Shows Travel Constraints
for People With Hearing Loss
National Foundation for the Deaf /
- Many Kiwis are planning to make the mostt of the last of the summer and head
away to the beach. But for the over 700,000 New Zealanders who are deaf and and
hard of
hearing, having an enjoyable weekend away isn’t always that easy.
Recent research done by Auckland University of Technology shows that many
people with hearing loss would like to travel more, but don’t because they are
concerned that their hearing loss needs won’t be met. Ninety percent of New
Zealand respondents also felt that the level of service in the New Zealand
tourism industry for people with hearing loss needs to be improved. “It’s
important for customer service staff to be patient and understanding, with some
training about how to serve guests who are deaf and hearing impaired,” says
Louise Carroll, CEO of the National Foundation for the Deaf. “From a safety
perspective, it’s imperative that emergency alarms are visual as well as
audible, and that all guests have access to public announcements. Staff also
need to be knowledgeable about how to communicate with hearing impaired guests
in an emergency.” Most of the people surveyed would return to a business that
had good services for people with hearing loss and recommend it to others. Over
two thirds also indicated they have trouble finding information about New
Zealand tourism products that are accessible to people with hearing loss “There
is a lack of information about services and access for people who are hearing
impaired and deaf in the tourism sector in New Zealand,” says Mrs Carroll. “This
is a real concern for the sector. There needs to be a service which provides
this sort of information. The National Foundation for the Deaf is hoping to work
with the tourism industry and New Zealand Government to address this.”
NEW ZEALAND: SKY Television Launches Closed Captioning On 13 Channels
SKY TV / - SKY has been working on the launch of captioning for several months.
The project required considerable technical design as well as investment in
hardware and software to enable closed captions on the following 13 channels:
Animal Planet, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, TCM, TV1, TV2, TV3, Cartoon
Network, Crime & Investigation, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, UKTV, and
National Geographic. It’s a service SKY is pleased to offer, Chief Executive
Officer John Fellet commented: “This is a service we’ve long wanted to offer to
SKY customers but have held off offering until now while we tried to gain
funding from New Zealand On Air, as TVNZ and TV3 currently do. I know this new
service will be very valuable to the deaf and hearing impaired - while it is a
niche audience, it’s a step towards more equal access and we are delighted to
offer it.” Closed captioning information will be displayed on the on-screen
electronic program guide (EPG). Viewers can elect to enable closed captions
for a single program, or make a global setting to show closed captions
whenever they are available. Viewers can even search for content screened with
closed captions. Last year a Captioning Working Group was formed, with members
from the National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD) and Deaf Aotearoa. SKY will continue to evaluate the
viability of providing further captions on additional content and channels as
the information becomes accessible. Closed captioning are available on MY SKY
decoders. SKY Digital decoders can display closed captions through Teletext if
the television supports Teletext.
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HAVE
YOUR SAY
This section is an open
forum for organizations and individuals to make statements and share various
points of view. Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do
not represent the views of World Without Hearing News. All
submissions are subject to editing of length and content.
Opinions and Videos Online features links to informative
and entertaining videos, and blogs and vlogs about current issues.
United Kingdom: "Staycationers" With Hearing Loss Encouraged to Know
Their Rights and Check Hotel Accessibility
by Action on Hearing Loss
With many people beating the January blues by booking ‘staycations’, Action on
Hearing Loss is urging holidaymakers with hearing loss to know their rights and
check the accessibility of hotels they are considering booking. Under the
Equality Act 2010, UK services including hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs must make
‘reasonable adjustments’ to be accessible to people with disabilities. This
means that accommodation managers must ensure that people who are deaf or hard
of hearing can enjoy the same level of service as other guests. However, not all
hotels are as accessible as they should be and this can cause frustrating
experiences for guests with hearing loss. Action on Hearing Loss is urging
people with hearing loss to avoid future disappointment by contacting their
accommodation options in advance and checking what steps they will take to meet
their individual communication needs. The charity is advising staycationers to
ask if the accommodation has:
- staff trained in basic deaf awareness
-
a hearing loop in reception, and when the last time they checked that it was
working
- rooms with an amplified telephone with a built-in hearing loop
and a flashing doorbell
- procedures to alert guests with hearing loss when
their fire alarm is activated and an alerting system designed for guests with
hearing loss
- televisions with subtitles already set up in rooms
If you have hearing loss and recently stayed in a
hotel which was not deaf aware or accessible, email brief details of your
experience to campaigns@ hearing
loss. org. uk.
United Kingdom: Charity Calls on UK Hotels to
Stop Putting the Lives of Guests With Hearing Loss at Risk
by Action
on Hearing Loss
After making ‘mystery shopper’ calls to 232 hotels across the capital, Action on
Hearing Loss (AHL) discovered that one in 10 hotels admitted they
don’t have a procedure or equipment to alert guests with hearing loss in the
event of an emergency. Of those hotels which did have a procedure, 13% have
flashing alarms that are not appropriate, says AHL, as guests will be sleeping. Some of
the responses from hotel staff showed extraordinary levels of poor deaf
awareness or lack of concern for guests with hearing loss. One receptionist
said: “The alarm is very loud – it wakes everyone up!” Another revealed their
hotel’s lapse of care for guests with hearing loss by saying that in
emergency situations: “if there is an alarm, everyone vacates and then, when we
know it is safe, we can check the rooms – but we can't help otherwise." Under
the Equality Act 2010, services must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to be
accessible to people with disabilities so not only are inaccessible hotels
missing out on potential income, they’re also putting their customers’ safety at
risk. AHL is urging hotels to install emergency alerting
systems that are especially designed to safeguard guests with hearing loss by
sending signals or texts to vibrating pagers. The experience of Tanvir Ahmed, a
Senior Trainer at AHL who communicates by British Sign
Language (BSL), illustrates the problems often faced by deaf and hard of hearing
guests. Tanvir says: “I’ve stayed in hotels where there has been a shocking lack
of deaf awareness which has left me feeling extremely frustrated. For example, a
hotel in Brighton didn’t have a way for me to contact room service so I ended up
texting my daughter in Walsall and she called the reception to place my dinner
order. She then texted to let me know the room service was at the door. Hotels
often just need to make simple adjustments to ensure their services are
accessible for me and it’s about time they met their legal requirements!” AHL’s
tips to help hotels meet the individual needs of guests with hearing loss
include:
1. Train your staff in basic deaf awareness so that they can
communicate effectively with guests who have hearing loss.
2. Make sure you
have a hearing loop at your reception desk and there is a regular process to
check that is works. Loop systems can help hearing aid wearers to hear the
receptionist’s voice over background noise.
3. Make sure you have alternative
ways for people with hearing loss to contact your hotel other than telephone.
For example, offer SMS or email contact, or train your staff how to use the Text
Relay service.
4. Make sure you have clear procedures for staff to alert
people with hearing loss when the hotel’s fire alarm is activated, and invest in
alerting systems designed for guests with hearing loss. Ensure the availability
of your alerting system is well advertised to guests.
5. Consider providing
amplified telephones with a built-in hearing loop for your guests with hearing
loss so that they can contact reception.
6. Check that subtitles are
available on your televisions and make sure clear instructions are available.
7. Set aside a quiet area in the hotel’s restaurant where people with hearing
loss can have a conversation without too much background noise.
8. Contact
Action on Hearing Loss, website:
www.actionon hearing loss.org. uk, telephone: 0808 808 0123 or email:
information line@hearing loss. org.uk for advice on making your hotel accessible
for people with hearing loss, including deaf awareness training and information
on installing and maintaining loop systems and emergency alerting systems.
Opinions and Videos Online
Deaf People are Cheated by Oralism
USA:
The music man who lost his sense of hearing
USA:
DOJ Weighs in on Student Lawsuit for CART Services
USA:
New Gallaudet building to be model for deaf architecture
USA:
AG Bell Files Amicus Brief Supporting CART Interpreting for Students who are
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
USA: NAD Action Alert:
Support Ind. School for the Deaf, Oppose HB 1367
USA, Indiana: re ISD
bill:
Oralism is a "jealous mistress"!
USA, Virginia:
Bill would help assure deaf students best education in Virginia's schools
USA:
Meet Jack Jason: The Most Famous Interpreter in the World
Malaysia:
Deaf people want to be heard
Phillipines:
How do you say 'subpoena' in sign language?
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WHAT'S NEW
ON THE INTERNET
USA: The Federal Communications
Commission has released a guide to VRS reform with a list of frequently asked
questions answered by ASL videos. Website:
www.fcc. gov/ guides/ vrs-reform.
PUBLICATIONS: USA - New England Audio Visual Company Releases
Whitepaper About Hearing Loop Installations
Lowell, MA / PRWEB / - Shanahan, a sound and video service and
installation company based in Massachusetts, has released a whitepaper entitled
Hearing Loops: Bringing Clear Sound to the Hearing Impaired. According
to Catherine Shanahan, President of Shanahan, the company was inspired to
publish the whitepaper to increase awareness of a relatively simple technology
that she said is making an enormous difference to people with hearing loss. A hearing
loop system delivers audio from a sound system directly to telecoil-equipped
hearing aids and cochlear implants. The telecoil serves as an antenna to relay
sounds directly into the ear without background noise. While hearing loops are
commonplace in Europe, they have been slower to spread across the U.S. because,
until recently, many hearing aids have not been equipped with telecoils. As
telecoils become standard hearing aid attachments in the U.S., a campaign is
underway to “loop” more public and private facilities. Shanahan created its
white paper on hearing loops to aid in education efforts. The eight-page white
paper explains what hearing loops are, how they work and where they are being
used, outlines the advantages of hearing loops, answers frequently asked
questions about hearing loop installations, and provides links to online hearing
loop resources. To download the white paper, and access additional information,
at www.new england hearing
loop.com.
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