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ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)
3.5 Definitions. Assembly Area. A room or space accommodating a group of individuals for recreational, political, social, civic, or amusement purposes, or the consumption of food and drink.
4.1.3. Accessible Buildings:
New Construction. Accessible buildings and facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements;
(19)* Assembly areas
(b) This paragraph applies to assembly areas where audible communications are integral to the use of the space (e.g., concert and lecture halls, playhouses and movie theaters, meetings rooms, etc.). Such assembly areas, if (1) they accommodate at least 50 persons, or if they have audio-amplification systems, and (2) they have fixed seating, shall have a permanently installed assistive listening system complying with 4.33
For other assembly areas, a permanently installed assistive listening system, or an adequate number of electrical outlets or other supplementary wiring necessary to support a portable assistive listening system shall be provided. The minimum number of receivers to be provided shall be equal to 4 percent of the total number of seats, but in no case less than two. Signage complying with applicable provisions of 4.30 shall be installed to notify patrons of the availability of a listening system.
4.30 Signage.
4.30.7* Symbols of Accessibility.
(4) Assistive Listening Systems.
In assembly areas where permanently installed assistive listening systems are required by 4.1.3(19)(b) the availability of such systems shall be identified with signage that includes the international symbol of access for hearing loss (see Figure 1).
4.33 Assembly Areas
4.33.6* Placement of Listening Systems. If the listening system provided serves individual fixed seats, then such seats shall be located within a 50 ft (15 m) viewing distance of the stage or playing area and shall have a complete view of the stage or playing area.
Figure 1: International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss
4.33.7* Types of Listening Systems.
Assistive listening systems (ALS) are intended to augment standard public address and audio systems by providing signals which can be received directly by persons with special receivers or their own hearing aids and which eliminate or filter background noise. The type of assistive listening system appropriate for a particular application depends on the characteristics of the setting, the nature of the program, and the intended audience. Magnetic induction loops, infra-red and radio frequency systems are types of listening systems which are appropriate for various applications.
Figure 2: An induction Loop (IL) System
Figure 3: An FM System
Figure 4: An Infrared (IR) System
DOJ Title II rule
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Office of the Attorney General
28 CFR PART 35 [Order No.]
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services
AGENCY: Department of Justice.
Action: Final Rule.
Subpart A -- General
{35.104 Definitions
Auxiliary aids and services includes— (1) Qualified interpreters, notetakers, transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices, assistive listening systems, telephones compatible with hearing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDD’s), videotext displays, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments.
Subpart E – Communications
{35.160 General.
(a) A public entity shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communications with others.
(b)(1) A public entity shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits, of a service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity.
(2) In determining what type of auxiliary aids and service is necessary,
a public entity shall give primary consideration to the requests of the
individual with disabilities.
AND TITLE III:
PART 36 NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY BY PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS AND IN COMMERCIAL FACILITIES
Sec.36.303 Auxiliary aids and services.
(a) General. A public accommodation shall take those steps that may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, unless the public accommodations can demonstrate taking those steps would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations being offered or would result in an undue burden, i.e., significant difficulty or expense.
(b) Examples. The term “auxiliary aids and services” includes – (1) Qualified interpreters, notetakers, computer-aided transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices, assistive listening systems, telephones compatible with hearing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDD’s), videotext displays, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments;
[…]
(c) Effective communication. A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities.
The technical assistance provided
in this Bulletin is intended solely as informal guidance; it is not a
determination of the legal rights or responsibilities of entities subject to titles II or III of the ADA. |
The landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990, provides comprehensive civil rights protections to individual with disabilities in the areas of employment (title I), State and local government services (title II), public accommodations and commercial facilities (title III), and telecommunications (title IV). Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation, in adopting standards for construction and alterations of places of public accommodation and commercial facilities covered by title III and public transportation facilities covered by title II of the ADA, have issued implementing rules that incorporate the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), developed by the Access Board. U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board BULLETIN #8C:
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDERS What are assistive listening systems
(ALS's)? Assistive listening
systems (ALS’s) are devices designed to help people with hearing loss improve
their auditory access in difficult and large-area listening situations.
Typically, these devices are used in such venues as movie houses, theaters,
auditoriums, convention centers, stadiums, and houses of worship, though they
may also be found in such smaller listening locations as courtrooms, museums,
community centers, funeral parlors, etc. It is important to note that ALS’s
are not intended as substitutes for hearing aids. They are, rather, meant to
supplement the use of hearing aids, but they can be used to improve functional
hearing abilities whether or not someone wears hearing aids. How are they different from public
address (P.A.) systems? In a public address (PA)
system, the sound signals have to travel from the loudspeaker(s) to the
listener’s position. Depending upon the particular site, this distance may be
anywhere from a few feet to well over a hundred feet. Whenever sound signals
have to traverse any acoustical space before arriving at a listener, they are
going to be weakened by distance, and usually distorted by background noise
and reverberation, before listeners receive them. The greater the distance,
the weaker the sounds become and the more likely they are to be distorted by
the acoustical conditions. An ALS is ordinarily “piggybacked” to the existing
PA system and is not a substitute for such a system (some types ALS’s can be
“free-standing” in places where PA systems are not available). All types of ALS’s have
one principal in common: they all “bridge” the acoustical space between the
source and the listener, thus reducing the effects of the intervening
acoustical distortions upon speech perception. This “bridging” is
accomplished by transmitting the sound signals to listeners via
electromagnetic, radio, or infrared light waves rather than acoustically. In
other words, when using an ALS, it is as if the listener has his or her ears
right next to the loudspeaker or the talker’s mouth. Of course, this is
hardly a feasible practice in the real world, but in effect this is what
ALS’s do when they transmit audio signals from the source directly to a
specialized receiver used by a listener. Why are they necessary for people with
hearing loss? Many
people tend to confuse loudness of sounds with clarity, or “hearing” with
“understanding”. A loudspeaker system can provide for plenty of audibility,
but this does not necessarily translate into improved comprehension for
people with hearing loss. Indeed, one of the most frequent complaints voiced
by hearing-impaired people is the fact that they are often able to “hear” someone
talking without “understanding ” what is being said. This may occur because
of the nature of their hearing loss (e.g. a greater impairment in the higher
frequencies) or because other analytic powers of the auditory system have
been compromised. Given
these pathological conditions, even moderate amounts of noise and
reverberation - easily tolerated by normally hearing people - can have a
disproportionate effect upon the speech perception abilities of someone with
a hearing loss. Even in what appears to be favorable listening conditions,
hearing-impaired people may already be struggling to understand. By adding
noise and reverberation to the listening equation, which acts to further
reduce the quality of speech signals, a hard of hearing person’s comprehension
can fall from adequate to near zero. Hearing aids are not the answer. While
hearing aids can restore some of the reduced loudness sensations caused by a
hearing loss, they cannot separate the primary signal from the background
sounds. They cannot improve the speech-to-noise ratio (S/N), which is the
intensity level of the speech signal relative to the background sounds. And
of all the factors impacting upon speech perception, this factor - the S/N
ratio - is probably the most important. ALS’s
overcome the deleterious effect of the intervening acoustical conditions
simply by bypassing them, in effect increasing the speech-to-noise ratio. The
remaining limits to a person’s ability to understand speech resides, then, in
the degree and nature of the hearing loss and not in the complications
wrought by the external acoustical conditions. What ALS’s do for people with
hearing loss is to permit them to function to the limits of their residual
hearing capacities. ALS’s do more, however, than just improve basic speech
perception capabilities in large-area listening situations. Often
hearing-impaired people are able, by expending a great deal of energy and
effort, to understand the speech signals in such places. They can get the
message, but they have to focus so intently on receiving the spoken message
that they have difficulty attending to what is being said. Unlike people with
perfectly normal hearing, they can’t really relax and enjoy the experience.
ALS’s will help them to do this and preclude their leaving the venue tired
and unhappy, something that happens all too often with them. A happy
listening experience will also encourage them (and their families) to return
to the venue for future events. How many people in our society can
benefit from an ALS? The
statistics regarding the number of people with hearing loss in our society
vary depending upon the source and the criterion used to define hearing loss.
Most sources give this number as falling between 24 and 28 million people, or
about 10 percent of the population. Hearing-impairment increases with age. It
is estimated that about 50% of persons over the age of 65 have some degree of
hearing impairment. Due to the increased longevity and the aging of our
population, the total number and proportion of people with hearing loss is
likely to increase in the future. There is little doubt but that most of
these people would be able to benefit from an ALS. While some may benefit
more than others, just about all people with any degree of hearing loss
should be able to derive some advantages from the system - if not in their
actual comprehension of the spoken messages, at least in the effort they have
to make in order to comprehend. We should also keep in mind that people
receiving direct assistance from an ALS are not the only ones involved.
People do not usually attend events by themselves. If one considers those
family members who would be accompanying the person with a hearing loss, then
it is apparent that the total number of people who would be potentially
impact by the availability of an ALS is even greater than 28 million. Am I under any statutory obligation to
make ALS’s available? The answer is yes. The
Americans with Disabilities Act of l990 (ADA) requires that buildings and
facilities be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. This
includes communication access for people with hearing loss. The ADA Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG), adopted as the ADA standards for accessible design by the
Department of Justice in 1991 require that certain newly constructed and
altered assembly facilities be designed and constructed to include assistive
listening systems. See the sidebar for ADAAG scoping and technical
provisions. In addition, DOJ regulations implementing title II (public
sector) and title III (private sector) of the ADA include requirements for
effective communications with people with disabilities that may require the
installation of fixed or portable ALS in existing assembly facilities. (See
sidebar). The ADA does not cover
private clubs and entities that are operated and controlled by religious
organizations, However, many houses of worship make ALS’s available to their
congregants, not as a matter of law but as a service to their people. What types of systems are available? Basically there are three
types of large area ALS:
Induction Loop: In
the first type, the induction loop (IL) system, a loop of wire encircles the
listening area (or is embedded in a mat placed under a rug). This loop of
wire is connected to the amplifier output of a Public Address (PA.) system
instead of, or in addition to, the usual loudspeaker. Instead of sound
emanating from a loudspeaker, the IL system produces an electromagnetic field
around the wire (see Figure 2). These electromagnetic signals are accessed by
hearing-impaired listeners through telephone coils found in many hearing aids
(about 30% of hearing aids include “T” coils). While these “T” coils were
originally included in hearing aids to improve telephone communication, they
will respond to any electromagnetic field. When the electromagnetic field
emanating from the wire loop intersects these coils, it “induces” an
alternating electrical current in the coil. This electrical current is then
processed by the hearing aid in the same way that it processes acoustical signals
reaching the microphone. The major advantage of IL systems is that listeners
whose hearing aids include “T” coils always have their special ALS “receiver”
with them. All they have to do to get “tuned in” is switch their hearing aids
to the telecoil (“T”) position when entering a looped area. A
few facilities that only include an IL system also provide special telecoil
receivers for people who do not use hearing aids. These special receivers
come in various shapes and sizes, but all contain a wire coil to detect the
electromagnetic field and an amplifier to increase the signal level. A
number of problems have been associated with IL systems: these include
spill-over of the magnetic into adjacent areas (both horizontally and
vertically), susceptibility to stray electromagnetic fields, variations in
the electromagnetic field within the loop, and issues related to the quality
and physical orientation of the telecoils. With a proper installation and
appropriate hearing aids all of these problems can be eliminated or
minimized.
FM: The
second type is the FM system. An FM assistive listening system is simply a
variation on the commercial FM radio. The signals are “broadcast” by FM
transmitters and picked up by listeners using an “FM radio” tuned to the transmitting
frequency (see Figure 3). These “radios”, or special FM receivers, must be
made available by the facilities that use FM ALS’s. The FCC has reserved the
non-commercial 72MHz to 75MHz and the 216 MHz to 217 MHz bands for auditory
assistance devices. The lower band is a non-exclusive band, which means that
interference from other users in the same frequencies may occur (such as from
emergency vehicles of various kinds). The effective range of the lower FM
band is a radius of about 300 to 500 feet, given the power limits set by the
FCC (80 millivolts per meter at 3 meters). The effective transmitting range
of the 216-217 MHz band is approximately twice that of the lower band. There
are several potential problems with FM systems. The first is that privacy is
not possible. The FM signals do not stay contained within the four walls of
the enclosure. If privacy is a consideration, then an FM system is not
appropriate for that facility. The second potential problem is the flip-side
of the first: radio signals originating outside of the facility can enter the
facility and interfere with reception. One cannot prevent occasional
interference, as when some emergency vehicle in the area transmits on the
same frequency used in the venue. However, persistent interference can
usually be overcome by selecting alternate frequencies within the permitted
bands. On the up-side, it is relatively easy with an FM system to ensure
adequate signal strength at all seat locations, even in the largest venues.
Infrared (IR): The
third type of ALS is the Infrared (IR) light system. In an IR system, audio
signals from any source are conveyed to listeners via infrared light waves
(using Light Emitting Diodes) invisible to the human eye. The light waves are
picked up by a photo detector diode contained within the “optical bubble”
found on every IR receiver. The receiver then extracts the original audio
information from the IR signal and delivers an amplified version to the ears
of a listener (see Figure 4). Ordinarily, strict “line of sight” is necessary
between an IR emitter and the transparent lens on the receiver, but this can
be modified in rooms with light-colored surfaces (the IR waves are reflected
off them) or by adding additional emitters. Since IR systems are light waves,
they exhibit the advantages and disadvantages of light waves. The IR signals
are contained within a room, thus ensuring privacy, and adjacent rooms in a
facility can use IR systems without fear of inter-room interference. They are
also not as subject to radio or electromagnetic interference as are FM
systems. However, outdoor use if problematic because of the effect of
sunlight (which contains a great deal of infrared energy) and it is more
difficult to cover the largest venue with IR systems than with a radio type
system. All
IR systems require a radio-frequency (RF) sub-carrier as an intervening step
between the audio and the light waves. That is, the audio signals first
“modulate” the RF sub-carrier, which in turn modulates the IR light signals.
Until now, 95 kHz has been the unofficial RF sub-carrier, permitting a person
to use the same IR receiver in different venues. Compatibility between venues
has always been a major advantage of IR systems. The situation may now be
changing because of the electromagnetic interference at this frequency
produced by the newer, more energy efficient, fluorescent lights. Because of
this, some facilities are or may be switching to different sub-carrier
frequencies (250 kHz, 2.3 MHz) with their IR systems. This will not be a problem
for consumers as long as the facility provides them with compatible IR
receivers. However, switching sub-carrier frequencies may affect those
consumers who have, or desire to, purchase a personal IR receiver. Since no
commercial IR receivers have the capability to detect all the possible
sub-carrier frequencies, it would not be practical for them to possess
personal IR receivers (unless they limit their attendance to those facilities
that provide compatible IR sub-carrier frequencies). How do I know
which type is appropriate for my facility? We strongly advise
facilities, particularly the larger ones, to consult with a professional
sound contractor, preferably one with experience in installing ALS’s, before
purchasing any system. An experienced installer will lead you through the
steps that are necessary to ensure that both you and your patrons will be
happy with the results. Below are just some of the considerations that you
and the installer will jointly consider: ·
Is
privacy a major consideration? Is it necessary that the events taking place
within a facility be inaccessible to people outside the enclosure? If so,
then an IR system must be employed. ·
Are
a large number of simultaneous events going to be taking place in adjoining
facilities? While there are a sufficient number of potential FM carrier
frequencies available to ensure non-interference between rooms, and thus an
FM system is a possibility, it will then be necessary to provide FM receivers
that can be tuned to all the possible frequencies. How will your audience
respond to the necessity to change frequencies? Do you care if someone in one
room can “tune in” to events in a different room? If these possibilities can
cause problems, then an IR system will be best. ·
Is
it going to be necessary to use the system alternately in a number of
different rooms (such as in a community center, from one activity room to
another)? Ordinarily, FM system are somewhat more flexible and can be used
both indoors and out (as in a tour group). However, some IR systems are also
relatively easy to deploy, and portable units will work well in the smaller
activity rooms, though they will not operate as effectively outdoors. ·
Is
your facility very large? Is it a massive auditorium with balconies,
overhangs, and other nooks and crannies? While a skilled person can install
an IR system in such locations, it is easier to ensure an appropriate signal
at all seat locations with an FM system. Is much of the action going to take
place outdoors (like in a race track)? In this case too, your best bet would
be an FM system. ·
Is
your facility being bombarded by stray FM transmissions? Your installer will
use a frequency scanner to determine the possibility of interference. If the
interference is likely to persist, then an IR system would be the best bet. In facilities where a
large percentage of users are likely to have “T” coils in their hearing aids,
IL systems are probably the simplest system to manage. The IL “receiver” is
simply the telecoil in the person’s own hearing aid. However, since fewer
than 30% of modern hearing aids include a telecoil, to provide auditory
access to those people without T-coils, an IL system must also make
specialized IL receivers available. This, however, defeats a major advantage
of an IL system – its convenience. What is
involved in installing an ALS? Let’s first consider our
goal, which is to ensure both an adequate and a high-quality signal
(electromagnetic, radio, or light waves) at all seat locations within a
facility. By an “adequate” signal, we mean one that is strong enough to be
properly processed by the correct receiver (FM, IR, or “T” coil). By
“quality”, we mean a signal that meets defined electroacoustic standards
(discussed in the technical report aimed at “Installers”). Given these goals,
then the most significant decision a provider can make is to select the right
sound contractor, someone with the expertise and experience to do the job
right the first time. Many venues also have in-house personnel with basic
expertise in the area. These people should consult with the manufacturers in
determining what type of ALS should be selected and how it should be
installed. In these instances, the installation is a joint effort. In smaller venues, such
as community and senior centers and houses of worship, it is not likely that
an “in-house” expert will be available. More likely than not, the maintenance
man, the site’s administrator, or some technophile member will be the ones on
whom the installation responsibility will fall. Even here, however, it is desirable
to seek expert advice. This can be obtained from local audiologists and from
the representatives of the various companies that manufacturer ALS’s. These
“reps” are a particularly good source of information; while not professional
installers, in the type of facility contemplated here, they are usually able
to offer good advice and information. In any facility where there is an
existing sound system, the most economical and efficient way to proceed is to
piggy-back the ALS on this system How should we
design our system to maximize its benefits? The number and location
of the microphones in any venue employing “live” performers/speakers is a
particularly crucial area to consider. For all types of ALSs, the quality of
the signals transmitted to the listener’s receivers is going to be dependent
upon the quality of the signals arriving at the microphone. If these signals
are already contaminated by distance, noise, and reverberation by being, for
example, located too far from the talker in a reverberant room, then no ALS
system can provide a quality signal to listeners. In these instances, it is
crucial for facility personnel to work closely with the installer, so that
the factors unique to a particular site (e.g. staging requirement, physical
limitations) can be considered as the installation takes place. Poor
microphone placement will defeat the highest quality ALS. What kinds of
problems may occur after an ALS has been installed? Some of the more common
problems are enumerated below, along with solutions: ·
Distorted
or no sound coming from FM or IR receivers: Solution: (1) Check all batteries
(rechargeable and disposable) before using. (2) Check that VU indicator on
transmitter shows correct reading. ·
Sound
is coming from the loudspeakers, but not the ALS. Solutions: (1) Check to see
that the system is turned on (piggybacking the ALS to the PA system would
preclude this problem). (2) Check receiver batteries. ·
IR
signals are weak or distorted. Solutions: (1) Check that IR emitters have not
been moved or covered with some object. (2) Check that optical bubble on the
personal receiver is not being covered. (3) Check batteries; (4) Check VU
reading on transmitter. ·
Spurious
radio signals being detected by FM receiver. Solutions: (1) Change
transmitting frequency (remember to vary receiver frequency as well). (2) Use
frequency scanner to determine a “clean” channel. ·
FM
systems picking up signals from adjoining locations. Solution: Check that FM
receiver is tuned to the correct channel. ·
With
IR systems, “dead” spots in the listening area. Solution: Check with the
manufacturer/installer. It is possible that the emitters will have to be
re-oriented or additional ones installed. ·
Receiver
okay, but patron using hearing aid that doesn’t pick up signal. Solutions:
(1) When receiver is coupled to a neckloop, check that hearing aid is in the
“T” position. (2) Problem may reflect an inoperable hearing aid, check that
patron can hear with hearing aid when not using the ALS. What are the
probable expenses in purchasing and maintaining an ALS? For the average size
venue, the typical purchase cost for a wide-area FM transmitter is between
$600.00 and $1200.00. Usually three or four receivers come with the package.
Additional single channel receivers will run about $100.00 each, while
multi-channel receivers are a bit more expensive. If rechargeable batteries
are to be used (ordinarily recommended), then it is necessary to add the cost
of pocket rechargers/storage case. A sixteen-pocket recharger costs about
$500.00. IR systems tend to be a bit more expensive, ranging between $800.00
and $2500.00, depending upon the number of emitters required to cover the
seating area. IR receivers also tend to be just a bit more expensive than FM
receivers. Installation expenses also tend to be higher with an IR than an FM
system. Considering the usual expenses in operating any kind of assembly
facility, however, the cost of any type of ALS is a relatively small item. Maintenance costs should
also be minimal. Depending upon how often the system is used, rechargeable
batteries in the receiver should last well over a year. The disposable tips
on earbuds should be changed after each use, but this costs only pennies.
Periodically a receiver will have to be replaced. This does not happen too
often. Rather than have some irate customer call your attention to a
malfunctioning receiver, it is best that problems be detected before
receivers are handed out to patrons. Using a staff member as the ALS receiver
“caretaker” is probably the greatest ongoing expense associated with ALS’s.
It may take an hour or so to check the receivers in and out, which includes
troubleshooting the receivers to ensure their proper operation. What are the
offsetting economic advantages to providing ALS’s? Many hearing-impaired
people have stopped attending all kinds of public events simply because they
either can’t hear what’s going on, or they have to work to hard to comprehend
the proceedings. It is just not worth it for them. Provide these people with
effective “auditory access” and they’ll start attending these events again
(and pay the necessary admission). Actually, as pointed out above, attendance
may increase even more, since it is likely that friends and relatives will
accompany them. Older people, in
particular, not only have a greater incidence of hearing loss but are an
increasing percentage of the population. As a group, they also have more
disposable income for attending various kinds of events, provided that they
can hear and enjoy the experience. While they may be technology averse, good
staff instructions can overcome their reluctance to utilize an ALS. While it
is impossible to predict with certainty whether this increased attendance
will completely cover the ALS expenses, it should nevertheless go a long way
in this direction. What types of
receivers and coupling arrangements are available? FM receivers are about
the size of a pack of cigarettes and feed either headsets or earbuds. All
include on/off switches and volume controls. The receivers may be worn hung
around the neck, clipped to a belt or placed in a pocket. Those people who
use hearing aids may prefer to use a neckloop instead headphones or earbuds.
A neckloop operates on the same principle as the large-area IL system; only
it fits around the neck rather than around a room. It is plugged into the
receiver earphone jack and transmits an electromagnetic field to a hearing
aid telecoil. For the individuals involved, “inductive” coupling is a
convenient way to use an ALS receiver, since it enables them to continue to
use their personal hearing aids. However, as noted above, only about 30% of
modern hearing aids include telecoils, mainly because of size restrictions
(they won’t fit into the smallest hearing aids). Other hearing aid
(behind-the-ear type) or cochlear implant users may prefer to directly
connect the ALS receiver to their personal listening devices through a wire
cord. In these instances, users would ordinarily supply their own patch
cords. IR body pack receivers
are similar to FM receivers and employ the same coupling arrangements
(headphones, earbuds, neckloops, patchcords). The major difference is that
every IR receiver has an “optical bubble” which collects the IR light wave
for processing by a photo-optical circuit. IR receivers are also available in
forms not available with FM receivers, such as under-the-chin stethoscope
units and self-contained headphones. Stethoscope units place the electronics,
volume control and optical bubble in a single unit that dangles from a user’s
ears. Some of these units also include an output jack for insertion of a
neckloop. How many
receivers should I make available? The number of receivers
should be equal to at least four percent of the total number of seats
available, with a minimum of two in any facility with fixed seating of 50 or
more. Changes have been proposed that this number vary as a function of the
number of seats in a facility, and that a certain percentage of neckloops
also be made available for those patrons whose hearing aids include T-coils. What kinds of
signs and public notification of ALS’s should I provide? While not required by the
ADA, it is advisable for venues to note the availability of ALS’s in all of
their media publicity (including printed ads, TV and radio announcements,
recorded telephone messages). People who require an ALS should know that one
is available – and what type it is -- before they make plans to attend
an event. Given such information, more people with hearing loss (and their
families) would be more likely to attend - clearly, an outcome of great
interest to any facility manager. What is required by the
ADA is visible signage at the facility that notes the availability of an ALS
and information where receivers can be checked out. These signs should be
placed at several prominent locations within the facility, certainly
including one at or near the box office. Who has the
responsibility for managing the receivers? Every facility that
provides an ALS must designate someone to be responsible for checking the
receivers in and out and for ensuring that they are working correctly. This
is not a responsibility that venues should treat lightly. We don’t recommend,
as has been seen, that the “popcorn” dispenser also hand out ALS receivers
between filling bags full of buttered popcorn! We also do not recommend that
the ticket seller in the box office hand out the receivers. Among other
reasons why not, the box office is closed after a performance. In such
instances, patrons have to search the facility for someone to return the
receiver to so that they can redeem their driver’s license (or other ID). We
do recommend a fixed location, perhaps at the cloakroom, in which a trained
employee is assigned this responsibility. Such a person must
understand the basic principles of the ALS and the operation of the receiver.
This is not unrealistic, given the simplicity of the usual receivers employed
in ALS’s. Staff should be able to show patrons how to turn the system on and
off, caution people not to cover the “bubble:” of the IR system, and answer
some simple questions often posed by users (like, will the battery last for
the entire performance!). When the receivers are returned after being used,
this “caretaker” should (1) return the receiver to the recharger, (2) replace
the foam tips on the earbuds, (3) treat earphones cushions with an antiseptic
spray. Staff should also be available at a fixed location during a
performance to trouble shoot any problems that arise after the start of a
program. The Rehabilitation
Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement, website www.hearingresearch.org, has a
great deal of useful information on assistive listening systems. Other
resources include the technical assistance center at Gallaudet University, www.tap.gallaudet.edu,
and the U.S. Access Board, www.access-board.gov. The Access
Board also services a toll-free technical assistance number at 1-800 872-2253
(V) or l-800 993-2822 (TTY). If you wish to field a complaint about the lack
of functioning ALS/ALD, contact the US Department of Justice at 1-800
514-0301 (V) or 1-800 514-0384 (TTY). Bulletin #8C September 2001 U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board TEL: (800)872-2253
TTY: (800)993-2822 |
