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| Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) Help You Communicate Effectively |
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As for marketing strategies for museums to reach the hearing impaired population, information should be in brochures, in public service announcements, and on radio talk shows. Signage at ticket and information desks and marquees that assistive listening devices and captioning are available is also important. Volunteer orientation should include the information about ALDs and captioning. It would be great if a hard of hearing/cochlear implant volunteer could be trained and be available at certain times at the museum. When I volunteer at the Fox Theater, I pass out the ALDs. I
also answer questions and assist the manager with some other general duties. Linda, St. Louis |
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Be sure to test the battery of the receiver before loaning it out. Turn a unit on and even if it isn't receiving a signal, it will hiss at you. If you turn it on and you don't hear a hiss, it probably means the battery isn't charged, or it can mean that the connectors aren't touching the battery or that there is some more serious problem with the receiver. If this is the case, put the receiver aside and provide the patron with a receiver that works.
B, Washington |
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Once I saw a sign on a receptionist's
desk that said "Director of First Impressions." It's stayed with me.
The staff and volunteers at the desk or counter where assistive listening
devices are distributed are a museum's Directors of First Impressions.
Their ability to answer my questions, to explain how to use the equipment,
and to have checked it out beforehand so that it works, make a big,
if not a lasting impression. |
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"Disney has been providing assistive
listening systems (ALSs) to permit hard-of-hearing guests to increase
the volume of sound at many attractions. Disney has also provided
written transcripts for most of its attractions for some time and
will continue to provide those transcripts at Guest Services upon
request. On rides such as Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Carribbean,
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Space Ship Earth, and others, guests who are
deaf or hard of hearing will have the opportunity to promptly ride
a second time in order to better understand the text." From
the Disney Agreement Fact Sheet. "WDW is expanding the scope
and depth of employee training in disability awareness, etiquette,
and services available, consistent with the employee's responsibilities.
Such training includes, as applicable, treatment of guests with disabilities,
the availability of services and auxiliary aids, and procedures and
policies regarding guests with disabilities. WDW will continue to
improve upon the training and training techniques and consider new
and better ways of informing its' cast members in this area whenever
possible. WDW shall provide training materials to the Department for
periodic review, upon request from the Department." From
Agreement with the U.S. Government and Walt Disney World Co. |
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The profile
of Bridget Shea, formerly with the National Air and Space Museum,
on the ASTC web pages provides a first-person account of choosing
technologies to make large format theaters and planetariums accessible
to a wider audience. |
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I'm a person with a hearing loss who uses a cochlear implant, which
allows me to function as someone with a mild to moderate hearing loss
(hard of hearing). Like most people with a hearing loss, I don't use
sign language but rely on assistive listening devices (ALDs) and captioning
to understand dialogue in museum exhibits, theaters and tours. For
films, lectures and live-theater events, an assistive listening system
- such as infrared or FM - enables me to understand the dialogue.
For guided tours, I find that personal FM systems (where the tour
guide uses a microphone and transmitter, and I wear the receiver and
headset) allows me to understand the speaker without looking, so my
eyes can watch the exhibits. Captioned videos and films, and real-time
captioning of lectures are also helpful. I've found it most helpful
when information about what is provided in a museum is explained clearly
in promotional brochures and web sites. Signs at the museum are also
essential, so I know where to go to pick up the ALDs and where captioning
is being offered. A, New Jersey 
In general, locate public phones in quiet areas where there is enough
light to see the controls; also, instructions and numbers on the key
pad should be easy to read and angled for best viewing. At least one
public phone should be equipped with a volume control switch and a
receiver that generates a magnetic field as many wearers of hearing
aids rely on this feature to amplify the sound. People who are deaf
rely on a TTY or TDD installed in conjunction with the standard pay
phone. The user dials the number and places the handset in a holder.
If the answering party responds via TDD, a drawer containing the TDD
keyboard opens and both people can begin conversing. If a pay phone
TDD is not installed, a shelf just below a phone allows someone to
use their portable TDD. S, Maryland
