Slide 1:
Welcome to the AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series
A collaborative program between the ADA National Network and the US Access Board
The Session is Scheduled to begin at 2:30pm Eastern Time
We will be testing sound quality periodically
Audio and Visual are provided through the on-line webinar system.   This session is closed captioned.  Individuals may also listen via telephone by dialing 712-432-3100  code 930098 # (This is not a Toll Free number)
The content and materials of this training are property of the US Access Board and the Great Lakes ADA Center and cannot be used and/or distributed without permission.  This program is funded through a contract agreement with the U.S. Access Board. For permission to use training content or obtain copies of materials used as part of this program please contact us by email at adata@adagreatlakes.org or toll free (877)232-1990 (V/TTY)
www.AccessibilityOnline.org

Slide 2:
Webinar Features
Closed captioning – click CC icon (top of screen) or control-F8 and adjust the captioning screen as needed
Customize your view – choose “View” from the menu bar at the top of the screen and choose the layout you prefer from the dropdown menu.
Questions - type and submit questions in the Chat Area Text box or press control-M and enter text in the Chat Area
Emotions/Hand-raising:  Please do not use these features during this session

Slide 3:
Presenters
Paul Beatty 
David Baquis 

Slide 4:
Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)   
Session Agenda
How do ALS provide access
What is an ALS
Where do the ADA and ABA Standards require ALS
Pros and cons of ALS types

Slide 5:
How Do Assistive Listening Systems Provide Access to Persons with Hearing Loss?

Slide 6:
Facts about Hearing Loss
Largest disability group and growing
28 million people in the U.S. have a hearing loss (1/10)
1/3 of people over 65 y/o have a hearing loss
“Invisible” disability
People wait 7 years, on average, before seeking help
6 million hearing aid users
22 thousand cochlear implant users

Slide 7:
Shifting Demographics
Baby boomers and used to high quality sound systems
They are less shy about asserting needs
They don’t stay home as much
Increasing visibility

Slide 8:
Common Myths about Hearing Loss
Hearing aids are the solution
Everyone can speech read
Speech reading = full understanding
Everyone with a hearing loss knows sign language
“You can hear when you want to”

Slide 9:
What is an Assistive Listening System (ALS)?
An amplification system utilizing transmitters, receivers, and coupling devices to bypass the acoustical space between a sound source and a listener by means of induction loop, radio frequency, infrared, or direct-wired equipment. 

Slide 10:
Assistive Listening Devices
“Binoculars” for the ears
Increase loudness of specific sounds
Bring sound directly into the hearing aid/CI or ear
Minimize background noise
Reduce effect of distance between HOH person and sound source
Override poor acoustics

Slide 11:
ALD Attachments/Couplers
Headsets (over head or under chin)
Earplugs/earbuds
Earphones (half moon shape)
Neckloops
Silhouette inductors
Cord for DAI hearing aid (self-supplied)

Slide 12:
Listening Capabilities
Acoustical (through the ear or hearing aid microphone)
Inductive (through a telecoil of hearing aid or cochlear implant)
Direct (direct connection into hearing aid or cochlear implant)

Slide 13:
ADA and ABA Standards
Based on the Board’s ADA-ABA Guidelines (2004)
2010 Standards - DOJ includes several additional requirements/ revisions – see www.ada.gov). 

Slide 14:
Current ADA Standards
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design 
For ALS, ABA Standards are the same (except Federal leasing) 

Slide 15:
Architectural Barriers Act
Facilities that are designed, constructed, or altered, by, or on behalf of the United States
Facilities leased by the United States (see F202.6 for leasing)
Facilities receiving certain types of Federal financial assistance

Slide 16:
Auxiliary Aids and Services -Effective Communications
Regulatory Sections 35.160 (Title II) and 36.303 (Title III) 

Slide 17:
Where do the Standards require Assistive Listening Systems (219 & F219)?

Slide 18:
Courtrooms
Each must have an ALS 

Slide 19:
Assembly Areas
Assembly Area. A building or facility, or portion thereof, used for the purpose of entertainment, educational or civic gatherings, or similar purposes. 
Required where : 
•	audible communication = integral to use of the space and 
•	has audio amplification

Slide 20:
Number of Seats
• Fixed Seats
• Furniture 

Slide 21:
Number of Receivers
Table 219.3 Receivers for Assistive Listening Systems (Text version)
50 or less seats in assembly area requires minimum of 2 receivers, minimum of 2 required to be hearing aid compatible
51-200 seats in assembly area requires 2, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats and minimum of 2 required to be hearing aid compatible
201-500 seats in assembly area requires 20, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats and minimum of 1 per every 4 receivers are required to be hearing aid compatible
501-1000 seats in assembly area requires 20, plus 1 per 33 seats over 500 seats and minimum of 1 per every 4 receivers are required to be hearing aid compatible
1001-2000 seats in assembly area requires 35, plus 1 per 50 seats over 1000 seats and minimum of 1 per every 4 receivers are required to be hearing aid compatible
2001 and over seats in assembly area requires 55, plus 1 per 100 seats over 2000 seats and minimum of 1 per every 4 receivers are required to be hearing aid compatible

Slide 22:
EXCEPTIONS (219.3) 
•	Multi-assembly areas under one management …
	Example: 10 theaters each with 300 seats = 65 receivers (vs. 10 x 12 = 120)
•	Where all seats in an assembly area are served by an induction loop ALS

Slide 23:
Signage (216.10) 
Signs must be provided informing patrons of the availability of the assistive listening system and have the International Symbol of Access for Hearing Loss.
EXCEPTION: Ticket offices or windows 

Slide 24:
Types
Illustration of a room microphone and amplifier sending a signal to two locations.  To a  FM assistive listening system transmitter which sends a signal to a receiver and headset on a person, and the other is sent to a room speaker which another person listens from. 
Illustration of a room microphone and amplifier sending a signal to two locations.  To an IR assistive listening system transmitter which sends a signal to a receiver and headset on a person, and the other is sent to a room speaker which another person listens from. 
Picture of FM receiver and headset. 
Picture of neck loop. 
Illustration of a room microphone and amplifier sending a signal to two locations.  To an inductive loop and in the loop is a person, and the other is sent to a room speaker which another person listens from. 

Slide 25:
The Telecoil
•	Optional component of hearing aid
•	Only 1/3 of HAs have a T-coil, but the number is growing
•	Not available with canal (very small) aids
•	Standard feature in ear-level cochlear implants
•	Functions with telephones and assistive listening devices

Slide 26:
Advantages of Inductive Listening 
Eliminates feedback
Reduces noise (improve “speech to noise ratio”)
Compensates for distance and poor acoustics
Increases effectiveness of hearing aids and cochlear implants
Enables user to turn up volume without making it loud for others

Slide 27:
ALS Specifics
3 types: FM, Infrared and Inductive Loop
Each is cordless
Each works well and has specific advantages
Each works with or without hearing aids/CIs
Each can experience interference
Available as wide area or personal systems

Slide 28:
Infrared Systems
Transmits light waves to receivers
Commonly used in court rooms, movies, live performance theaters, conventions and with TVs
Allows privacy
Susceptible to interference from bright sunlight
Can effectively reflect off some surfaces
Must keep receiver diode exposed to pick-up signal

Slide 29:
FM Systems
Transmits radio waves to receivers
Commonly used in classrooms and where movement of speaker is required. 
Not affected by light
Can cover 200+ feet
Portable
Multiple frequencies allow several uses in same place
Susceptible to radio interference

Slide 30:
Audio Loop Systems
Audio loop transmits through electromagnetic field
No receiver necessary for hearing aid wearers 
with telecoil 
Loop listener receivers for others
Often permanently installed 
Reception can vary
Susceptible to interference

Slide 31:
Induction Loop System
Photo of an auditorium
Photo of a classroom

Slide 32:
Microphone Considerations
Garbage in/garbage out
Styles: Directional versus Omni
Number and placement

Slide 33:
ALS Troubleshooting
Battery dead/no battery
System, microphone or receiver not turned on
Receiver broken
T-switch not on
Interference
Break in cords

Slide 34:
ALS Considerations
Prices vary/comparison shop
Maintenance, check batteries, staff training
People setting up the system should check it
Facilities can’t charge to loan ALD receivers 
ADA rules on number of receivers & attachments

Slide 35:
Who Needs to Know about ALSs?
Consumers and families
Audiologists/hearing aid dispensers (importance of needs assessment)
Facility owners
Service staff
Sound contractors (installation)

Slide 36:
Helpful Resources
Access Board bulletins on assistive listening systems 
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/about/bulletins/als-index.htm 
Demystifying Hearing Assistance Technology by Cheryl Davis, et al
http://www.wou.edu/~davisc/ 
Assistive device demonstration and loan centers
List of state assistive technology programs: 	http://www.ataporg.org/ and http://www.resnaprojects.org/nattap/at/stateprograms.html 
Self-help advocacy: http://www.hearingloss.org/

Slide 37:
Questions
You may type and submit questions in the Chat Area Text Box or press Control-M and enter text in the Chat Area

Slide 38:
U.S. Access Board
(800) 872-2253 (voice)
(800) 993-2822 (TTY)
E-mail: ta@access-board.gov
www.access-board.gov

Slide 39:
Thank you for participating in today’s webinar
Next scheduled session:  
“Accessible Historic Buildings and Facilities”  
November 1, 2012 
2:30 - 4:00 (ET)
www.AccessibilityOnline.org
877-232-1990 (V/TTY)