Hearing Awareness Project
Accessibility Checklists
Done very rarely but very useful when done, Accessibility Audits help you, your family and your employer understand the communication barriers you face on a daily basis at home and at work. More importantly it shows how to remove these barriers through technology, awareness training, or just minor changes in your lifestyle. Providing accessible facilities and services is no longer an option in Canada. Governments at all levels are mandating guidelines and standards to follow. To see what a Checklist looks like and to download a free version, go to http://chha.ca/chha/projects-communication.php.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Special Education departments in School Boards across Canada are required to provide IEPs. IEPs contain specific expectations for each student receiving support from special education teachers. The plan, which is shared with parents, is based on, and modified by, the results of continuous assessment. IEPs are useful not just for parents but also after graduation for Rehabilitation and Employment specialists who can use the information to help plan their training programs or job-searches. Obtain copies of your final IEP before you leave high school.
Reports and Reviews
- "No Answer" Review of Government Communication Services with People who are Deaf, Deafened, Hard of Hearing or who have a Speech Impediment July 2005, The Canadian Human Rights Commission
"The Government of Canada is failing to adequately accommodate the needs of Canadians who, as a result of a disability, cannot use the regular government telephone system.
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/whats_new/default-en.asp?id=320&content_type=2
Most Canadians take it for granted that they can look up the number of a federal department or agency in the blue pages of their telephone directory or on the Internet, make a phone call to that organization and get the information they are seeking within a reasonable period of time.
But this is often not the case for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impediment and, as a result, cannot use the regular phone service. As this report documents, for them there is only a fifty-fifty chance that they will find a number listed for a Teletypewriter (TTY), the device they need to communicate with government offices. And when a TTY is listed, there is only a one-in-three chance that they will be able to complete a call successfully."
- Canada Ukraine Alliance for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Final report on visit to Canada, May 14 - June 12 (May, 27), 2001, Oleksandr Savchenko, Olena and Oleksandr Radchenko, from Kyiv, Ukraine http://wwwold.macewan.ca/nw/cua/projects/savchenko_report.htm
Self-Report Scales
These scales are a series of questions designed to assess the effects of hearing loss on an individual's life (social, emotional and vocational). They indicate the areas you are having the most difficulty with in adjusting to your hearing loss. Based on the results of these scales you can discuss coping and communication strategies with your Hearing Health Care Provider (HHCP). Your HHCP may also refer you to a self-help support group or discussion group where you can learn directly from other persons how they manage their own hearing loss.
Warranties, Insurance, and Payment Plans
Warranties, insurance and payment plans should be thoroughly explained to you in terms you can understand and with an adequate amount of time to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Whether you purchase an expensive hearing aid or a modest assistive device, you need to take the time required to feel comfortable about your purchase. Keep all of these important forms and receipts in a separate folder so they are handy when you need them.
Copyright © 2009 the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA)
Direct commercial exploitation is not permitted. No warranty of accuracy is given concerning the contents of the information contained in this publication. To the extent permitted by law, no liability (including liability to any person by reason of negligence) will be accepted by CHHA its subsidiaries or employees for any direct, or indirect loss or damage caused by omissions from or inaccuracies in this document. CHHA reserves the right to change details in this publication without notice.