Hearing Loss Association of Rhode Island: September 2012

About Us

We are under the umbrella of the national organization of Hearing Loss Association of America which is located in Bethesda. Maryland. http://www.hearingloss.org

HLA-RI’s primary function is to educate it members, their families and friends about the causes, nature and complications of hearing loss and what can be done to better cope with that loss. We hold monthly meetings between September and June at which we may have guest speakers on a variety of topics relating to hearing loss. We may also have informal meetings where the members share their experiences and knowledge relating to hearing loss. We also have two socials a year as well.

We are able to provide CART –Computer Aided Real Time Captioning which is projected on to a large screen so that the participants can “hear what is being said in the meetings”

Some meeting topics include Accessibility, hearing aids, legislation, cochlear implants, tinnitus, captioning, relay system, assistive devices, state services, coping tips many more topics! We also have social events.

Before HLA-RI, many of the members felt isolated, found communication a struggle, were confused about technology, didn’t know their rights and hid their hearing loss

And now HLA-RI is a place to find answers, ask new questions, and meet people who understand. HLA-RI is a resource for information and friendship.

The monthly meetings are held at different locations within Rhode Island. To be placed on the email distribution list for notices and other important announcements, send an email to hearinglossri@gmail.com This email list is not shared with any organizations or individuals and each HLA-RI ‘s member is blind copied on each email.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Upcoming Events

There will be two events in the month of September. There will be a Walk4Hearing in October. There will be a presentation on Med-El Cochlear Implants by Jeanne Fredriksen in November. There will be a social event in December.

In September:

September 13th, 6pm - 8pm (FREE!) * Updates from FCC on Communication Access presented by Gregory Hlibok *
The Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing invites you to attend a presentation given by Gregory Hlibok, Chief of the Federal Communication Commission's Disability Rights Office at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Cafeteria, One Corliss Park, Providence, RI. ASL Interpreters and CART will be provided. This event is sponsored by FCC, RISD and RICDHH. Please see attached flyer. This workshop will be of great importance to understand the changes particularly with the 21st Century Communication and Video Accessibility Act that was signed by President Obama in October of 2011

September 29th at 2:00 .Blackstone River Tour. A Guided Tour using the loop system and a copy of the narrations that will be handed too each passenger. An Interpreter has also been requested for this tour. Please arrive at 1:30 for check in as there will be a passenger list of those who have RSVP'd

Directions:

For GPS or mapquest, use 45 Madeira Avenue, Central Falls, RI

The CF boat landing is just off Broad Street at the border of Central Falls and Cumberland, RI on Route 114, with plenty of parking.

There are no events in October. However there will be the HLAA/New England Walk4Hearing on October 28th at Artesani Park in Brighton, MA. I will be the team Captain for HLA-RI and will be soliciting donations as this is fundraiser for HLA-RI and HLAA. Please email me for details cthom27062@aol.com

On November 10th, there will be a presentation on the Med-EL Cochlear Implants by Jeanne Fredriksen who is the Med-EL's New England Representative. This is scheduled for November 10th at 10:00 AM at the Rhode Island Parent Information Network on 1210 Pontiac Avenue in Cranston.

In December , there will be a social event. Details will be forthcoming at a later date.