National Park Service assistive listening guidelines
The National Park Service has just released their "Programmatic Accessibility Guidelines for National Park Service Interpretive Media." It appears to be an excellent document that, with input from Janice Schacter at NYC's Hearing Access Program, accurately describes various forms of assistive listening, while also noting that
Induction loop systems use an electromagnetic coil to create a magnetic field. People who use hearing aids or cochlear implants with a T-coil can receive the sound directly by switching their hearing aid to the "T" position. No additional devices are needed. Receivers with headsets shall be available for people without a T-coil, who do not wear hearing aids, or do not have a cochlear implant.
Thanks partly to Janice's advocacy, hearing loops are now in place at two National Park Service sites: Ellis Island and the Dayton Aviation Heritage site.
Aug 24, 2009 at 10:03 AM I am indebted to Janice for her advocacy efforts towards making sure some National Park Service sites are looped. I feel that induction loop systems "best" grant equal access for those who have a hearing loss and are equipped with t-coils in hearing aids and/or cochlear implants. I have felt like a "normal" person when in a room that has been looped.
There are many National Parks and sites in my area. I would like to learn more about how to go about requesting induction loops and advocacy efforts.
Sincerely,
Denise Portis
Aug 24, 2009 at 10:05 AM Dr. Meyer,
Do you have a link for that newly released document? I can only find the old one that states it is "under revision".
Denise Portis
Aug 27, 2009 at 4:08 AM Good question . . . it's now linked above, Denise.