NSIP Inclusion Weekly: Communicating with Members and Volunteers who have Hearing Disabilities

[Announcement from he-sl listserv]

According to the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 3% of the US population has a hearing disability. As people age, the incidence of reported hearing disability rises.  Approximately 1% of 18 – 44 year olds identified as a person who is deaf, compared to about 15% of people over 75 who reported they are deaf. People of all ages who have hearing disabilities are serving their communities in national service programs across the nation.

When national service programs actively engage members or volunteers who have hearing disabilities, there is often a concern about how to communicate effectively with that member or volunteer. There are many approaches to communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. As with other types of accommodations, the best approach will vary by individual and circumstance. It is always best to discuss with the individual what accommodations (if any) they will need to be a successful member or volunteer with your organization.

The new regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), released this month include modifications to the section that delineates what “effective communication” entails when interacting with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. As assistive technology advances, the possibilities for means of communication have expanded.

The new ADA rule includes video remote interpreting (VRI) services as a type of auxiliary aid that may be used to provide effective communication. In the ADA, the term “auxiliary aids and services” refers to the means for achieving effective communication. The auxiliary aid requirement is a flexible one. The goal is to find an effective means of communication that is appropriate for the particular circumstance. For example, emailing last minute announcements to a member who is deaf may suffice, but for a meeting or training it might be more appropriate to use an onsite interpreter, remote captioning such as CART or VRI.

VRI is an interpreting service that uses videoconference technology over dedicated lines or wireless technology offering a high-speed, wide-bandwidth video connection that delivers high-quality video images. To ensure that VRI is effective, the Department has established performance standards for VRI and requires training for users of the technology and other involved individuals so that they may quickly and efficiently set up and operate the VRI system.

Examples of auxiliary aids and services for people who have hearing disabilities include (but are not limited to):
- Open and closed captioning
- Transcription services
- Written materials
- Telephone handset amplifiers
- Assistive listening devices
- Telephone compatible with hearing aids
- Closed caption decoders
-  Note takers
- Telecommunication devices for the Deaf
- Videotext displays
- Qualified interpreters
- Video Remote Interpreting

For more information about accommodation ideas for members and volunteers who are deaf or have a hearing disability see the Job Accommodation Network:
http://askjan.org/media/Hearing.html

To locate Certified Interpreters in your area visit:
https://www.rid.org/acct-app/index.cfm?action=search.members (you can search by city or state)

This is a news story about voice-to-text technology
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/disability_issues&amp...

Information on VRI from the National Association of the Deaf
http://www.nad.org/issues/technology/vri

To learn more about people who are deaf or hard of hearing, please visit the National Service Inclusion Project’s website:
http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=deafhh


Yours in service,
Erin Gannon


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The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement (08TAHMA001) between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the National Council on Independent Living and the National Down Syndrome Congress. The content contained does not imply endorsement from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the National Service Inclusion Project or any of our partner agencies.

The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) is a Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) training and technical assistance provider. Through comprehensive training, technical assistance, and product dissemination, NSIP strives to ensure meaningful service experiences for all Americans, regardless of their abilities. Most services are free of charge.