Bay Area Disability Network

Archived Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Advice

(also see Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Reviews and Recommendations)

Cheap hearing aids

Sign Language Interpreters

Sign Language Interpreters

I run a small theater where we have plays and concerts. Our Board wants to make the theater more accessible for people who are deaf. We are going to get Sign Language Interpreters to be at our performances. So I have three questions:

1. 1) Does it really make sense to have Interpreters at music concerts?
   Do deaf people really go to these interpreted performances, or are the interpreters just something for hearing people to watch? We don't want to hire Interpreters because it's cool - we want to have services that are really valuable to the deaf community.

2. 2) There are a lot of Interpreter Services in the Bay Area - which one is the best? How do we determine if we are getting good Interpreters (none of us sign).

3. 3). If we offer this service, how do we best contact the deaf community to let them know about this service? (Of course, we will post it on the BAD Network - but what other means should we use?) Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give.

• Others may disagree with this, but I think it is best if you advertise the interpreters on your flyers, and then someone who is deaf can contact you requesting interpreters. Interpreters are expensive, and you don't want the cost if no one in the audience is using them. IF you hire them, it is good to reserve seating in front of them. Our flyers phrase goes thus: 'Please refrain from wearing scented products. To request sign interpretation, captioning, or listening devices, call --- (TTY) at least five working days prior to event.' If you don't have a TTY, callers can use the free California Relay System, more popular these days. Late-deafened adults may need captioning instead of sign interpreters. Sometimes it is possible to garner interpreters sooner than 5 days. We have used BACA, or Bay Area Communications Access, for years and have been very happy with their services. They are in SF, at 415-356-0405.

Cheap hearing aids

Question:
I'm on a limited income and can't afford hearing aides - but both my hearing aides are dead. Is there any place I can go to get cheap (or free) hearing aides? I have heard that sometimes you can get donated hearing aides, but the thought of using someone else's hearing aides makes me nauseous. Is there an agency that provides low or no cost hearing aides? Thanks!

Answers:

• Try your local Lions Club or go to http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_hear_aids.shtml My mother was able to get new hearing aids this way. Good Luck Cheryl

• You might contact AT Net at 800-390-2699; they provide information about appropriate funding resources that might cover hearing aids. Jane Vincent