I think we, as non-deaf persons, are looking at things from the perspective of those who can hear, not from the perspective of someone who has to struggle with deafness on a day-to-day basis. And under the ADA, the need and requirement for public accomodation is much more stringent than it used to be when we were growing up. I don't have the answers, and I don't know what is required under law, but I agree that it would be a perfect volunteer opportunity at the very least. Besides deaf people, we do have many people who are hearing impaired due to old age. It seems logical that there should be some accommodation for them. At what venues, and to what extent, I don't know, but I think it should be part of the conversation. We are past the time when you can just say "no" and kind of brush it under the rug. If a few people were trained for signing, for example, then placed on call as volunteers for the recreation department, would that not be the beginning of a solution?

I have a friend who takes lessons in The American Sign Language every week at the Fairways Christian Church. She doesn't have any deaf people in her family. I am not sure why she is learning it but I only have good suspicions about her. She is such a love.

I think that the American Disabilites Act has improved things mightily. You realize that when you travel in Europe and the rest of the world.

As we age and we lose some of our abilities we understand more how it is to be challenged in our mobility, sight and hearing.

We all should do what we can to help each other and we should all do what we can to help ourselves. Just like always. You cannot legislate morality. And laws and rules can't fix everything. A kind heart and helping hands go a long way and a great determination to get through things helps too.

Are you saying you want a person with National Interpreter Certification at each of The Villages' recreation centers for every class or activity taking place in these centers? Or just when it is requested? I'm not sure I'm grasping the whole meaning of your complaint. What specific activities have you been excluded from because of your deafness?

New Club should be formed
 

I am also hearing impaired. I have an implant in one ear and wear a hearing aid in the other. So, I think I understand some of your frustrations.

Now that you've made us aware of the issue, why not take this moment to create a club for the Hearing Impaired and Deaf. (Please don't discriminate against those of us who still have some hearing, but do have similar issues in noisy environments)... You just might find that some of "us" would love to learn Sign Language to assist those who cannot hear. And with a growing population of people with a variety of skills and professions, I would bet you'd find many Licensed Interpreters to accompany you to the classes you'd like to attend.

I envision this club where anyone with a desire to be a "hearing" buddy to those who want to attend classes and clubs would accompany that person - for free.

Rather than demanding an accommodation that would be impossible to fulfill, create your own positive destiny by stepping up and making a new reality for you and for others who share the need. Have you placed a request in the Volunteer section of the Daily Sun? Called a reporter to raise awareness of the needs?

I wish you all the best. It's tough for all of us as we grow older to handle our limitations. You could be the change agent for many.

Now, this poster makes sense. Very good idea!

Excellent!
 

I love your perspective on this, Gracie!! Thank you!

Philosophically, not medically speaking,
 

the Accreditation of the Recreation Department is an awesome achievement.
People have come to The Villages by appointment and observed the programs and the intent, and the conclusion has been reached that the Rec Dept. meets the benchmarks for a program which meets the needs of most of the participant group. Can we say that TV is all things to all people? No, certainly not, and to Deafdeaf, it is not. However, for those recreational activities such as swimming or pickleball or bocce, he is enabled as a player and the opportunities are abundant. Polo, a boat trip, the arts...so much is still accessible. For times he must rely only on the modality of hearing (lectures, classes), he has not found a ready source of support. A club is a wonderful idea, therefore.

I do not know under which school DeafDeaf was taught, however, I'm guessing that he/she was probably of the age when sign language and lip reading and speaking by the deaf was caught in a tumultuous time, an example of that would be the term, American Sign. Technologies were late coming to now elder deaf and hearing impaired. Having taught and worked with deaf and hearing impaired children the issues facing the deaf
in this Country are substantial, and theorists have argued this subject since
early in the twentieth century. Participation, however, in physical activities
afforded by the Rec program here and elsewhere, very positive. I cannot
think of a better place for my adult elderly deaf friends, teachers, and mentors should they be thinking of a lifestyle such as afforded by TV.

That said, I am full of sadness for so much of what all of us can hear, yet
reticent that there is much cacophony of sound I would like not to hear.
Today their are computers which translate the spoken word to written language. If DeafDeaf wants to encourage others, it should be, and we
should be with him, to have or make access to those possible at the Rec
Centers and the Life Long Learning College on an as needed basis. Even a
funding drive if he feels it would be appropriate. I would also think, the former
grant writers among us could put one together to 'purchase' ten such computers to be stored at the places most accessible.

There are good ideas above, such as forming a club or support group that endeavors to train and provide assistance on an as-needed basis.

As for wanting the accreditation to be blocked and denied, that is another matter and attitude with which I disagree. There are many sports and activities here in which many of us are physically "disabled" from learning and doing. We can't do everything that is made accessible to us here.

We do what we can, and as I said in an earlier post, there are ads in the papers every day placed by disabled or elderly people who need a paid personal assistant to do the essential things in life for them.

Who pays? is the matter at hand and I'm pretty sure there are limits on how much everyone wants to pay for the amenities fee that provides all the recreation offerings here.

Hi, Dr. Gabe Mirkin

Remember you had paid interpreters for your deaf patients because they acted professionally and necessary for you to communicate effectively with your patients. Don't you agree?

By the way, Volunteer ASL interpreters sometimes lack commitment. They may not take a great deal of responsibility upon themselves to provide quality interpreting. We, people who are DEAF, had used volunteer interpreters and still do complain when the quality of the translation we receive is questionable.

The obvious primary advantage of volunteer interpreters is the money saved by the District government, as these volunteer interpreters are not paid. Also, however, it may be extremely difficult to locate volunteer interpreters to continue the whole time of any program.

It is important to remember that hiring a volunteer interpreter does not necessarily guarantee quality and effectiveness of communication.

Paid ASL Interpreters keep taking continuing education courses to improve their competency of providing translation professionally. The profession of interpreting will never be recognized as a truely skilled profession if people offer their services for free. Doctors charge, contractors charge, landscapers charge...........these are all chosen occupations that require specific skills and training. No other profession does gratis work. An interpreter, who does gratis work could have it on their heart from God to do this; or they could be unskilled and are trying to get their foot in the door. I recommend that they receive the hourly rate that is your areas average. If they are employed full time as an interpreter elsewhere, that place of employment should be compensating them for their education and certification expenses.

For Doodlegirl, I did learn to read lips while I was young. I am still a good lipreader and am very highly educated, however, I admit that I learn much more via ASL language visually and pursued further to higher education (several colleges) via ASL than lipreading. I am a very successful deaf entreprenuer and am involved in many deaf advocacy tasks. I had used volunteer and pro bono interpreters - was not satisified with their poor quality of intepreting - that is why I am not keen to see volunteer interpreters in TV.

The issue is AUDISM ( look up in Google) and it is self-explanatory.