Recreation Dept seeks National Accreditatio
 

It was shocked to read an article found on The Villages Homeowners Association Voice, September 2011, page 9 "Recreation Department seeks National Accreditation."

I am Deaf and live in The Villages, Florida since 2007. I am frustrated not being able to participate in any of 1800 programs the Villages Recreation Department offers to us, the Villagers, because I cannot understand the instructor or speaker without the interpreter for the deaf. This recreation department still refuses our requests for sign language interpreters many times - thus creating barriers for all the Deaf persons living at The Villages. There are times, when this issue was brought up about making programs accessible for the Deaf as defined by Americans with Disability Act (ADA), The Villages have not or refused to address them for those non-governmental programs on their own premises. They claim that their premises are physically accessible, but not communication accessible for the Villagers with hearing loss and those whose hearing ability is reduced due to age. I wrote to the National Parks and Recreation Association, that unless, The Villages Recreation Department reconsider on making its programs accessible for the Deaf, they should turn down TVRD's application to become one of the qualifying applicants for the Agency Accreditation

I'm just curious...what, exactly, would The Villages and the The Recreation Department have to do in order to meet your criteria?

I don't live in The Villages so I will be honest to say that I don't know much about this. But I was under the impression the "programs" that you refer to are all done by people who had an interest and volunteer their time to facilitate them and not actually Villages programs.

My question is... What programs would you like to participate in that you can't because you can't hear?

And.... Is there someone who can go with you to those programs to sign for you? I have friends who can't hear who read lips. Is that something you would consider?

I'm just thinking there could be work arounds for you so you can enjoy these programs.

Of the existing accredited programs, how many make their programs communications accessible and what do they do to do this?

We all have various disabilityes that we have to deal with, but I do not think the answer is to ask others to provide services just in case we maybe at their event and need special assistance. I think in the case of the recreation department you shoud hire your own interperter and take that person to the events that you need the help.

Regarding the programs offered via VRD, including the non-government gatherings, clubs, classes, etc., the VRD, according to the Title II of ADA, is responsible to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities, regardless whether it is volunteer-supported program or not, because they are held on the premises of the Villages Community Development Districts (recreation centers, schools, and public places). VCDD has responded that their lawyer gave the opinion that VCDD/VRD is not responsible for providing effective communication needs for those non-government programs on their own premises. If their buildings are accessible for those with physical handicaps, why cannot they recognize those whose physical handicaps does include the hearing disabilities because loss of hearing is also physical. Lipreading is not 100% effective because it is not more visual than the signing hands/fingers. Those Villagers who are deaf do need the qualified interpreters in order to have effective communication in any program like other people who are normal.

Since when should the community provide a Personal Assistant for every kind of disability that people have here?

Many people advertise for and hire a person to help them around the house, go shopping for them, drive them where they need to go, do the housework, etc.

It seems like it's a personal responsibility to either find a volunteer deaf interpreter, or hire one for a few hours a week.

Hi DeafDeaf,
Could you share what you feel the Rec. Department must do to meet your criteria?

Agree 100%.

Volunteer opportunity
 

To me this seems like a perfect volunteer opportunity. Surely there are many people in TV who know sign language and who would be happy to place themselves on call for activities that require an interpreter, such as meetings, plays, classes and so forth. When a hearing-impaired person wishes to participate they could let this volunteer list know that they need an interpreter for a specific event. The volunteers could be coordinated by the Recreation Department, the Lifelong Learning College, or some other existing organization.

This approach would be much more in the spirit of TV than demanding paid interpreters at every event.

Please do not use the improper term - hearing impaired (or impairment). If I tell people that I am hearing impaired, they think something is wrong with me. However, if I tell people I am deaf, they say nothing is wrong with me except that I can't hear!

By law, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity , or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.

There are no volunteers because interpreters spent money to obtain the proper trainings, to take examinations, and to pay for licenses, which may amount to several thousand dollars. Unqualified volunteers will not perform effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any specialized vocabulary necessary for effective communication! In other words, would you accept the volunteer doctor without the proper licenses?

I am hearing impaired - I have profound hearing loss in my left ear and wear a hearing aid. I can function fairly normally, but in noisy circumstances I struggle to make out any one voice or conversation. I say all this to say that I feel empathy for you but I, in no way, am as handicapped by my situation as you are in yours. What occurs to me is that, while I understand your frustration, and the real need for assistance, I wonder how many others are in your shoes? If there are a very few people who need this assistance, it may be financially or physically impractical to provide signers for the 100s or 1000s of courses offered. Like most people who don't face these problems, I haven't really thought through it and don't know what the solution could or should be.

Comparing RECREATION Dept. activities/offerings to a MEDICAL doctor's assessment and treatment is an entirely different level of need!

Taking recreation classes to learn pickleball, dancing or arts/crafts is hardly the same level of importance as a medical doctor consult.

On that note, who interprets for you when you go to the doctor's office?

Sorry that you all have incorrect views of people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

First of all, the volunteers are not trained to provide effective communications for Deaf people. It is hard to find the qualified volunteer interpreters! If you know someone, please provide the contact information to me.

Secondly, when there is much vebral communicaiton in any recreation class or course, it will be the same level of importance as a medical doctor consultation or attorney conversation. All doctors, attorneys, colleges, governments hire qualified interpreters for their customers! Why not the Recreation Department!

It is a sad day for Deaf Villagers that the Recreation Department receives the accreditation from National Park and Recreation Association.

Good points Bike. Those seem like reasonable accommodations to me, but then, I am not Deaf. I am still curious as to what DeafDeaf feels is a "reasonable accommodation" for the Rec Dep. to provide, and how he sees his responsibility for his own disability accommodations. I have a nephew who has CP and at times I am frustrated about the "reasonable accommodations" he is provided, but with my sister's help he gets along nicely.