Accessibility
Accessibility for the hard of hearing means creating an environment where all individuals can communicate and actively participate. To be accessible to deaf and hard of hard people, a public place or service facility should provide one or more of the following:
- Telephones with volume control handsets and hearing aid compatibility.
- TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) - a compact portable device for use with a regular telephone.
- Interpreter - sign language and/or oral interpreter.
- Captioned movies, videotapes, TV programmes.
- Special sound systems installed for hard of hearing patrons - FM, infra-red, or loop.
- Visual alert system (flashing light) for emergencies such as fire. The International Symbol is also used to identify deaf and hard of hearing:
- patients on a hospital chart
- guests on a hotel or motel register
- children, on road signs near schools or homes
- on a wallet card.
Public accessibility
Deaf and hard of hearing people are denied full use of public facilities such as museums, libraries, movie theatres, concert halls, churches, buses, planes, and transportation terminals. The following suggestions would improve accessibility:
- sign language interpreters
- captioned films
- printed information
- signs
- assistive listening devices
- compatible and amplified telephones
- portable TDDs
- visual fire and smoke alarm systems
- adequate lighting
- trained staff that are aware of and sensitive to the needs of the hearing impaired.