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DiscussionLoss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jan 4 12:03pm | Replies (111)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "@julieo4 Julie, How did all of these loops get funded? I'm concerned that my church and..."
Worship centers are the easiest. Most want to provide accessibility. Some use memorials, some have had special fund raisers. In many cases, the people who benefit from the loop donate or work to raise funds. They are exempt from the ADA regulations, but the public venues are not. In Appleton WI, the large performing arts center has two major theaters. Both are looped. Funds were raised by a citizen's committee that worked with the HLAA chapter and Juliette Sterkens, the National HLAA Hearing Loop Advocate, to educate the public. A public meeting/event was held at the PAC. The PAC's Board of Trustees got behind it. Some major donations came in, and enough money was raised. Loops were installed in both theaters. I guess it really takes an enthusiastic group of advocates who know what they want to get the movement going. It also helps to get the hearing healthcare professionals involved. The disabilities act is in our court, but we have to understand the regulations and be willing to speak out. I will say that in the 90s, this same community managed to get over 50 FM installations in a variety of venues. That also was due to hard of hearing people organizing to educate and advocate. I was concerned when the loop movement started that these venues would be opposed to change. For the most part they weren't.