WHEREAS, the number of people in Silicon Valley with a hearing loss is fast growing due to an increase in population and the accumulated effects of toxic noise, and
WHEREAS, people with hearing loss require technology in addition to hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear in many environments, and
WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits public places from denying a person with a disability the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations, and
WHEREAS, public places as defined by ADA include but are not limited to: hotels, convention centers, theatres, doctors and law offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, state and local government agencies, employers and
WHEREAS, when public places comply with these acts, they generally do so by providing headsets that are not appropriate for hearing aid and cochlear implant users, and
WHEREAS, there are many new and emerging technologies such as telecoils, plug-in or built-in FM receivers, and Bluetooth that benefit people with hearing loss, and
WHEREAS, these technologies work best when sound is broadcast directly through hearing aids and cochlear implants so equipped,
THEREFORE, on behalf of Silicon Valley's hard of hearing persons, HLA-SV recommends that Silicon Valley's public places as defined by ADA, and where sound is broadcast, install assistive listening, systems that broadcast directly through hearing aids and cochlear implants. We further recommend that by the United States Access Board, such newly installed systems also provide appropriate receiver attachments for those persons without suitably equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants.
January 16, 2008