Deaf Ministries

Do you attend your church, synagogue, or temple and find that you struggle to hear? Have you stopped attending because you can't hear? If so, what can YOU do to make your place of worship accessible?

Step 1: Obtain Information About Assistive Listening Systems

FM and Infra-red are two Assistive Listening Systems that help improve sound reception. Information brochures and a video called "Music to the Ears" explain how these systems can help you hear. Copies can be obtained by calling the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) or a similar organization in your area.

Step 2: Voice Your Concern

You are now ready to meet the clergy or lay epresentative from your place of worship. At this meeting explain that:

• You have a hearing loss and cannot hear the service.
• A hearing aid alone is not adequate for a large facility because it amplifies everything including sounds you don't want to hear (coughing, heating systems, fans etc.)
• The amplification system (mic/speakers) does not assist you well enough to let you hear the service.
• Many other people face the same difficulties and stop attending services because they can not hear.
• 10\% of all Canadians and 50\% of all senior citizens , 65 years of age and over, have some degree of hearing loss.
• An Assistive Listening System can help stop problems caused by distance and background noise.

Step 3: Explain And demonstrate the Systems

During the meetings show the video tape "Music to the Ears". It will explain how the two systems work. If possible, demonstrate one of the systems. You can ask a representative from your local CHS office, or similar organization in your area, to attend your meeting and assist you with the demonstration.

Step 4: Ensure the purchase of a System

If the facility's representative is hesitant about purchasing a system:

• Stay in regular contact.
• Provide additional information if necessary (average cost: FM - $3,000; Infra-red - $6000).
• rally support from members of your congregation (letters of support, petitions, etc).
• Give names of other congregations that are satisfied users.
• Suggest ways to raise funds to purchase a system (special collection, fund raising events).
• Suggest the purchase of a few receivers to start, with the option to add more if required.
• State that you may have to attend another service where you can hear and participate.

Step 5: Now You Have The System - Promote it!

Once the system has been purchased and installed it is very important to tell people about it. You can:

• Share the news with members of your religious community.
• Announce the system at the start of the service.
• Advertise it in the bulletin/newsletter.
• Display the International Symbol of Accessibility-Hearing Impairment on doors, windows, bulletins, ads. (see above)
• Arrange a meeting where members, clergy, ushers, and other officials can try the system.

Step 6: Monitor The System's Use

A representative from the religious facility should be appointed to ensure that the system is turned on for every service, receivers are available for members and batteries are always charged.

It is up to you and other users to make sure the system is working. If there are problems, immediately notify the representative. He/she will investigate and/or contact CHS/organization or the system's local distributor to resolve any difficulties.

Step 7: Enjoy Hearing Again

Enjoy hearing again in your religious celebration by using the new Assistive Listening System. Don't forget to thank the people involved in helping you accomplish your goal.

This information has been reproduced with permission of the Canadian Hearing Society*.