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@toniann

I have been an active member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) since I became profoundly deaf in 2008. I have served on both the HLAA national and NYC boards. I am currently working to educate and encourage medical staff and hospitals to provide the aids and services we need to communicate effectively with providers and to participate in our own health care. Also to urge those of us who are hoh/deaf to ask for the services we need.

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Replies to "I have been an active member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) since I..."

Welcome to Connect,Toni Iacolucci @toniann. I am a hearing person, and I live in a community where we have a very active deaf/hard of hearing population.
I have friends who are hoh/deaf, and friends who are interpreters. From what I have picked up through interactions, is that there is a real need for the work that you are doing to promote an education to the medical staff and hospitals about the need for effetive communication to the hoh/deaf patients and family members. Thank you for what you are doing.

I feel that many of the hearing population do not realize the importance of having an interpreter for public events. Where I live, there is usually a 'tag' to request interpreter, or "Interprter provided" message. However, that is not always true outside of this community.

A deaf gentleman at my church, taught me the the ASL (American Sign Language) sign for the word PEACE. As an organ transplant recipient, it helps me avoid handshake germs.