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.

May 13, 2020

Categories: Accessibility, Advocacy News, Advocating, ASR, Blog, Captions, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Hearing Loss, News, Petition

The HLAA Board of Directors Supports Free Captioning for People with Hearing Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic

HLAA, the U.S. leader in advocacy for people with hearing loss, calls for all online video call and conferencing platforms to offer free (no-cost) access to automatic captioning technology to...HLAA, the U.S. leader in advocacy for people with hearing loss, calls for all online video call and conferencing platforms to offer free (no-cost) access to automatic captioning technology to people with hearing loss at the same level that platforms offer to their premium customers, during the COVID-19 pandemic. View HLAA’s Position Statement. Petition HLAA … Read More >

May 13, 2020

Categories: Accessibility, ADA, Advocacy News, ASR, Blog, Captions, FCC, News

FCC Grants First Certification for New ASR-Only IP CTS Service

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2020—The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau today granted conditional certification to MachineGenius to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using only automatic speech recognition...WASHINGTON, May 5, 2020—The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau today granted conditional certification to MachineGenius to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using only automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. This is the first such grant and provides an opportunity for advanced technology to meet the FCC’s high reliability standards in providing captioned … Read More >

May 8, 2020

Categories: Advocacy News, Blog, Communication Strategies, Coronavirus, Emergency, Hospital, News

Communications & Medical Access in the Hospital During Disasters: Temporary Recommendations for Hospitals and Medical Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

*developed with a consensus by deaf and hard of hearing Consumer Groups, deaf healthcare providers and other subject matter experts Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind Americans who seek medical...*developed with a consensus by deaf and hard of hearing Consumer Groups, deaf healthcare providers and other subject matter experts Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind Americans who seek medical treatment amid the COVID-19 crisis and medical professionals serving them may encounter significant barriers to communication. We estimate that up to approximately 650,0001 Americans who … Read More >

May 8, 2020

Categories: Advocacy News, Advocating, Blog, Communication Strategies, Coronavirus, Emergency, Hospital, News

How Do I Communicate with Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Hospital During COVID-19?

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, how will you be able to talk to doctors, nurses and others at the hospital? This guide is to help you get ready for your hospital...During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, how will you be able to talk to doctors, nurses and others at the hospital? This guide is to help you get ready for your hospital visit.  Going to the hospital will be very different during the pandemic.  In normal times, hospitals must give services that help you understand what is … Read More >

April 28, 2020

Categories: ADA, Advocacy News, Coronavirus, COVID-19, EEOC, Employment, Workplace

EEOC Publication Updated – Coronavirus and the Workplace: What You Should Know

EEOC ISSUES UPDATED COVID-19 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PUBLICATION Contains Q&A Section of Common Workplace Questions WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted on April 23, 2020 an updated...EEOC ISSUES UPDATED COVID-19 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PUBLICATION Contains Q&A Section of Common Workplace Questions WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted on April 23, 2020 an updated and expanded technical assistance publication addressing questions arising under the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication, “What You Should … Read More >

April 22, 2020

Categories: Advocacy News, Blog, News

HLAA Keeps Our Community Together with Online Events

Click here or on the picture for HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley’s message about keeping people with hearing loss together during this global health emergency. Keep up to date with...Click here or on the picture for HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley’s message about keeping people with hearing loss together during this global health emergency. Keep up to date with all the news by subscribing to the free, online Hearing Life e-News. [Note: just because you’re receiving this news item doesn’t mean you have signed … Read More >

April 17, 2020

Categories: Accessibility, Advocacy News, Advocating, Blog, Captions, Communication Strategies, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health Care, Hospital, News, Telecommunications, Telehealth

COVID-19: Video-Based Telehealth Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients

Now, with the coronavirus (COVID-19), it may not be safe to go to your doctor’s office. Your doctor may ask you to stay home and talk to your doctor through...Now, with the coronavirus (COVID-19), it may not be safe to go to your doctor’s office. Your doctor may ask you to stay home and talk to your doctor through online video. This is called “telehealth.” Your doctor must still give you an interpreter or captioning so you can understand your doctor when you use … Read More >

April 17, 2020

Categories: Accessibility, Advocacy News, Blog, Captions, Communication Strategies, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health Care, News, Telecommunications, Telehealth

COVID-19: Guidelines for Health Care Providers – Video-Based Telehealth Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients

Overview The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the accelerated use of telehealth solutions. Accessibility features in telehealth video-based platforms are crucial in assuring that deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals...Overview The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the accelerated use of telehealth solutions. Accessibility features in telehealth video-based platforms are crucial in assuring that deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals have access to quality healthcare while maintaining the safety of medical providers and the general public during this pandemic. Accessibility is also a legal obligation … Read More >

April 15, 2020

Categories: Advocacy News, Consumer, FCC, Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC), News, Telecoil (T-coil), Telecommunications

HLAA Supports Stronger Consumer Education Regarding HAC Phones

Hearing Loss Association of America alongside Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-RERC at Gallaudet filed...Hearing Loss Association of America alongside Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-RERC at Gallaudet filed Comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) wireless phones. The Commission has … Read More >

April 15, 2020

Categories: Access Board, ADA, Advocacy News, Loop, News, Rail, Trains

U.S. Access Board Extends Comment Period for Update of Rail Vehicle Guidelines

The U.S. Access Board has extended the deadline for comments on its update of accessibility guidelines for rail cars to allow the public and interested parties more time to submit...The U.S. Access Board has extended the deadline for comments on its update of accessibility guidelines for rail cars to allow the public and interested parties more time to submit feedback. As indicated in a notice published in today’s Federal Register, an additional 60 days is being added to the comment period. In February, the … Read More >