History shows that market forces alone are not enough to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Legislation, regulations, and standards are necessary for programs, products and services to be accessible to and usable by people with hearing loss. Several laws have been passed to help eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability and to enhance accessibility to public places, work places, telecommunications, schools, government and businesses. HLAA, together with other consumer and professional organizations, works not only to pass legislation to improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss but also works to push for implementation and strong enforcement of the laws.

April 4, 2019

Categories: Advocacy News, News, Newsroom

Consumer Protection Bill for People with Hearing Loss Signed by New Mexico Governor

With her signature on House Bill 48, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has guaranteed that hearing aid buyers will now be counseled in telecoil technology, which allows hearing...With her signature on House Bill 48, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has guaranteed that hearing aid buyers will now be counseled in telecoil technology, which allows hearing aids to connect wirelessly to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant assistive listening systems. HB 48 was developed by the Committee for Communication Access in … Read More >

March 7, 2019

Categories: Advocacy News, News, Newsroom

The TSA Wants to Hear From You

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement invites you to provide information related to the screening of passengers with disabilities. Please respond...The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement invites you to provide information related to the screening of passengers with disabilities. Please respond to the questions below and send your responses by March 11 to lhamlin@hearingloss.org. Your responses will be forwarded to TSA anonymously. Can you share any … Read More >

February 12, 2019

Categories: Advocacy News, Blog, News
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Public Policy in D.C. — Today’s News

  It’s a rainy day here in Washington, D.C., but that didn’t thwart a one-on-one meeting with FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. We enjoyed a cup of coffee together at the new...  It’s a rainy day here in Washington, D.C., but that didn’t thwart a one-on-one meeting with FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. We enjoyed a cup of coffee together at the new Signing Starbucks. You can feel good about being part of HLAA when the FCC wants to hear directly from us about what is important to our … Read More >

December 1, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News, Newsroom

FCC Updates Hearing Aid Compatibility Reporting Requirements

In a unanimous vote November 15, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order that will give consumers and the Commission better access to information about the...In a unanimous vote November 15, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order that will give consumers and the Commission better access to information about the availability of hearing aid compatible (HAC) wireless handsets.  The Report and Order eliminated the annual wireless HAC reporting requirements (Form 655) for service providers. It … Read More >

September 26, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News, Newsroom

HLAA Files Comments with FCC Regarding IP CTS

HLAA and several national consumer organizations as well as research organizations filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding IP CTS (Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services). HLAA spearheaded these...HLAA and several national consumer organizations as well as research organizations filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding IP CTS (Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services). HLAA spearheaded these efforts because we know how important IP CTS is to many of you. The Commission opened a rulemaking on IP CTS to gather information from … Read More >

September 19, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News

HAC Task Force Announces Administrator Search

Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force Announces Administrator Search Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), CTIA, the wireless industry association, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the National Association of the Deaf...Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force Announces Administrator Search Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), CTIA, the wireless industry association, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDI) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), announced the opening for submissions for Administrator of the … Read More >

July 30, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News

UPDATE: FCC Votes to Adopt IP CTS Rules, Notice of Rulemaking

UPDATE: FCC Votes to Adopt IP CTS Rules, Notice of Rulemaking One of the items on the agenda for the June 7, 2018 Open Meeting of the Federal Communications Commission...UPDATE: FCC Votes to Adopt IP CTS Rules, Notice of Rulemaking One of the items on the agenda for the June 7, 2018 Open Meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services (IP CTS). Under the heading of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Reform, the Commission considered a Report … Read More >

July 15, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, DOJ, News

DOJ Rules for Movie Theater Captioning and Audio Description Take Effect

As of June 2, movie theaters showing digital movies must provide a means for delivering closed captioning and audio description per rules issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)...As of June 2, movie theaters showing digital movies must provide a means for delivering closed captioning and audio description per rules issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the Department of Justice (DOJ).   The final rules were issued in November 2016 and supplement provisions in DOJ’s ADA regulations on provision of … Read More >

June 8, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News

FCC Votes to Adopt IP CTS Rules, Notice of Rulemaking

One of the items on the agenda for the June 7, 2018 Open Meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services (IP CTS). Under...One of the items on the agenda for the June 7, 2018 Open Meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Services (IP CTS). Under the heading of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service Reform, the Commission considered a Report and Order, Declaratory Ruling, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice … Read More >

May 1, 2018

Categories: Advocacy News, News

St. Louis Theatre Must Provide Captioning for All Live Performances Says Federal Judge

Thanks in part to the work of HLAA Members John Waldo, Tina Childress, Mary Stodden and the HLAA Greater St. Louis Chapter, captioning for those who need it will now...Thanks in part to the work of HLAA Members John Waldo, Tina Childress, Mary Stodden and the HLAA Greater St. Louis Chapter, captioning for those who need it will now be available for all live performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. A federal judge in Missouri recently ordered the 4500-seat indoor theatre to provide … Read More >