NOT COMPLAINING, BUT

The American Disabilities Act was signed into law in July, 1990. There are 5 titles covered, Employment, Public Service, Public Communications, Telecommunications and Misc. It was enacted to help people who have a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more of his or her major-life activities.

Every day we see many wonderful examples of work done as a result of the Act that greatly benefit those with disabilities. For those wheel chair bound or who need assistive devices there are ramps to facilitate building access, extra large rest rooms with accessible fixtures and curb ramps. Not near enough but a show of awareness and an effort to do the right thing. There are very limited things that can be done for the blind but there are many Braille requirements in place that did not previously exist.

I have not read all the fine print of the Act but I have seen very little to assist those with profound hearing loss. In the Telecommunications category there is the requirement for telecommunication devices (TTY’S) for the deaf. There may be more that but that is the only obvious evidence I see of an effort to assist these people. Think about it. Have you ever missed a flight because you did not hear your name called or they changed the gate number? Once on the flight did you hear the safety instructions? How enjoyable is a movie or speech, if you miss a great deal of what is said? Ever miss your stop on a subway or train? Imagine being disciplined or worse because you could not hear what a person in authority was saying to you. Maybe their voice was muffled by a radio or speaker or their mouth was covered making it impossible to read their lips. Learning in the class room can be a real bear if your teacher turns her back to write on the black board while talking.

Obviously, there can never be enough done for any group with disabilities. But in the case of the hearing impaired their frustration level could be dramatically reduced with the implementation of a simple principle. That of closed captioning similar to that on the bottom of your TV screen. With the voice recognition software available today and a screen adaptable to the location, you would do wonders for those who have trouble hearing.

Imagine a screen relaying what the flight attendants are saying in the terminal as well as on board the plane. There could be a screen on subways, trains or busses, relaying information important to the passengers. Law enforcement vehicles could be equipped with a portable screen. It would be simple to add screens at speeches or in class rooms. This would not solve all their problems but it would go a long way.

Granted this would be expensive. But the key would be to make it law just as they have done with other ADA requirements, such as requiring builders and land lords, at their expense, to build wheel chair ramps, special rest rooms, etc. Those are expensive as well yet we have managed to make those a part of our lives.

I’m not complaining, I’m just sayin”.