LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s Post

Struggling to bridge the digital divide for Deaf and hard of hearing communities? 𝐕𝐑𝐈 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝!💁 Discover how VRI is transforming accessibility with these five actionable tips! 1.𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 : - Enable instant communication through VRI. - Example: At MoniSa Enterprise, we implemented VRI for a healthcare client. Our real-time interpretation services ensured clear communication during medical appointments, enhancing overall patient experience. Real-time accessibility is crucial for immediate needs, but VRI also plays a vital role in education. 2. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: -Facilitate access to educational resources and opportunities with VRI, promoting inclusive learning environments. -Example: We partnered with a leading university to integrate VRI into their classrooms. This initiative allowed Deaf students to participate fully in lectures and discussions, improving academic performance. Empowering students in the classroom is just the beginning. VRI can also help advance careers by fostering inclusive workplaces. 3. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: -Enhance professional development by integrating VRI into workplace settings, fostering equal employment opportunities. -Example: At MoniSa Enterprise, we worked with a multinational corporation to integrate VRI into their workplace. It fostered equal employment opportunities and, an increase in employee engagement and innovation. While VRI fosters career advancement, it also has the power to connect individuals across different locations. 4. 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡: -Overcome geographic barriers with VRI, connecting users across locations seamlessly. -Example: We assisted a legal firm in using VRI for remote depositions, enabling attorneys, clients, and interpreters to connect seamlessly regardless of their locations. Connecting users across locations is essential, but VRI also enhances service delivery in various sectors. 5. 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: -Implement VRI to provide equitable access to essential services like healthcare and legal support. -Example: MoniSa Enterprise partnered with a government agency to incorporate VRI into their public service centers. This led to a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction and service delivery. With these strategies in place, we've seen remarkable results in bridging the digital divide. Let's explore how your organization can achieve the same. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲? 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰!👇 #digitaldivide #VRI #accessibility #Deafcommunity #hardofhearing #inclusivelearning #careeradvancement #equalopportunity

I'm finally learning to read at 40! Age is just a number when it comes to #AdultLiteracy. #assistivetechnology, #DigitalInclusion #educationforall #employment, #unemployment, #technology #veteransmentalhealth, #mentalhealthawarness, #UniversalCredit, #phonics #nationallotterycommunityfund

Experience with a hearing impaired person: I was travelling to my home town from #Mumbai. I booked a traveller bus, but unfortunately it got cancelled to the one I booked. So I got substitute seat in another bus. I booked the #women's seat, but due to the substitute seat, one boy came and sat besides me. I thought to complain to the agents, but later got to know he's hard of hearing. I allowed him to sit. He gave money to agent and when #agent asked (Kidhar jana hai), he picked up his mobile, opened notes and wrote Indapur in his notepad. The #journey started. He started calling his friends on video call and was making some signs and was enjoying the stuff. Later I asked him about his #college and other details. He told me with signs, and wherever me or he failed to understand we typed on our notepads to understand the language. #Technology has improved so much! I understood how notepad on mobile is such a great invention for these people. When bus stopped for breakfast he had his #breakfast and paid the bill online to the restaurant. He also told me he does some art stuff as well. I shown him my art as well. Overall it was a good #conversation. He mentioned, he felt that he was talking to one of his good friend. And good part is he was traveling alone and checking #Google #maps how far is his destination. He left the bus at Indapur safely. Here are my takeaways from this conversation: -Technology has made things easy for hearing impaired people. -We should #help him wherever we can for e.g I helped him to get away at the right stop at Indapur. -Schools and colleges are available for such people and these schools make people educated and help them to grow in #society. -Conversate them so that we will get to know how much fortunate we are. -These people are just equal to normal people and we should speak with them, they share some good knowledge too! -We should make aware to these people of the available technologies which are there. For e.g. this guy was well versed with Google maps so he reached his destination safely while travelling alone. -These guys, if taught can do some #technical stuff in future, a technical #job, some #invention, etc. ps: I took this picture during the trip. #hearingimpaired #conversation #help #positive #positivevibes #fortune

Do Advances in Hearing Aid Technology Meet Needs of the Customer?

🔊 Hearing Solutions Are Proven to Support Career Development: Recent findings show the vital role that hearing technologies can play in professional settings. Notably, 90% of Europeans using hearing aids and implants confirm their importance for job performance and progression. The benefits of hearing device use in the workplace include: ✅ Improved prospects for career advancement ✅ Enhanced job placement opportunities ✅ Potential for increased earnings ✅ Remain in active employment for longer A Canadian study highlighted a worrying employment gap, with 47% of individuals with hearing loss unemployed or not in the workforce. Inclusive employment practices that support the use of hearing devices and accessibility technology is essential to address this. Initiatives like Over 50 Hearing Screening Programmes can also catalyse recognition, reduce stigma, and increase access to hearing care to help bridge the employment gap for people with hearing loss. Read more about what can be done to bring hearing loss higher on the political agenda: https://lnkd.in/exXvJHcB #HearingHealth #HearingCare

HEARING OVERPROTECTION Did you know that hearing may be overprotected? 🤔👇 Very often, the employer will go for the hearing protection device (HPD) with the highest NRR or SNR in an effort to provide the “best” protection for their employees. However, this approach may lead to a phenomenon known as “overprotection” ❗ “Overprotection” is when an HPD reduces the sound levels to such an extent that important workplace features such as commands, alarms, machinery noise cures, and communication are detrimentally affected. 🔊🔕 The workers may also feel isolated with a loss of spatial awareness, which in turn leads them to remove their HPD altogether, exposing them to harmful levels of noise. 🤷♂️ This phenomenon is especially pronounced for people with noise-noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Typically, HPDs offer much better protection in higher frequencies >1 kHz, with the maximum attenuation reached around 4-8 kHz. ⚠ This is important because the signature of the NIHL is a significant hearing threshold limit increase (hearing loss) in 4kHz frequency (4kHz notch). This results in a simultaneous reduction of noise in higher frequencies and an inability to hear in those higher frequencies. 🛑 To overcome this issue, active level-dependent sound transmission hearing protectors can be used. ✔ These HPDs provide the greatest benefit to hearing-impaired workers, as they can compensate for the user’s hearing loss at low noise levels, thanks to the possibility of amplification provided by the electronic component, while still protecting the user against high-level noises. 👍 Level-dependent HPDs typically transmit sound at a safe 80dBA level to the user, regardless of the external level of noise. An alternative solution is the use of flat attenuation passive hearing protectors such as ER-15, where noise is uniformly reduced across all frequencies (within 10dB), thus making sure workers with a hearing deficiency in higher frequencies are not overprotected. ⚠ What is your approach for ensuring workers are not "overprotected"? Do you undertake a person-specific HPD selection for workers with NIHL? 🤔Share your thoughts in the comments. 👇 Source: “The Noise Manual” 6th ed. by AIHA, p.290. #BitesizeOH #Safety #HSE

Hearing over-protection refers to excessive measures taken to protect one's hearing, which can lead to communication difficulties or isolation. It can result in missing out on important sounds or conversations. To address this, promoting balanced hearing protection strategies is crucial. Some potential issues include miscommunication, reduced awareness of surroundings, and social disconnection. We can strive for balance by advocating for informed hearing protection choices, considering context and individual needs. #BalanceYourSound #ProtectWithPurpose #HearResponsibly

*Note: All views expressed are my own and do not reflect the position of the Department where I work.* 📢🔊 Calling all advocates for accessibility in Washington, DC! 🌟 Are you passionate about making public spaces more inclusive for individuals who are hard of hearing? 🤝 Do you believe in equal access to services for all residents and visitors of our nation's capital? 🏛️ Then we need your support! I'm excited to announce that I presented my testimony before the DC City Council, advocating for the installation of induction loops at service desks throughout Washington, DC. 🎤 Induction loops are a vital assistive listening technology that enable individuals with hearing aids or cochlear implants to better hear and engage in face-to-face communication in public settings. But I can't do it alone! 🤝 I need your voices to amplify this message and show our elected officials that accessibility matters to us all. Whether you're directly impacted by hearing loss or simply believe in the importance of inclusivity, your support is invaluable. Here's how you can help: 1️⃣ Share your own experiences or thoughts on the importance of induction loops and accessibility in public spaces in the comments below. Your stories matter and can make a difference! 2️⃣ Spread the word! Share this post with your friends, family, and networks. The more people who know about this issue, the stronger our advocacy becomes. Support my testimony or submit your own to: >>My Testimony: https://lnkd.in/ezGHPHUw >>Submit Comments To: facilities@dccouncil.gov Together, we can make Washington, DC a more inclusive and accessible place for everyone. Let's ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing essential services and participating fully in our community. Thank you for your support! 🌟 #AccessibilityMatters #InclusionForAll #DCInductionLoops #inductionloop #hardofhearing #dc #washingtonpost Harvard Kennedy School Harvard University Induction loop at Amtrak Union Station, Washington, DC

Can Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Thrive in IT and Tech Careers? In an increasingly diverse and inclusive work environment, the IT and tech industries are gradually opening doors to a wide range of talent. Among these is the sizable population of deaf and hard of hearing via DX Today https://lnkd.in/eskCcA2q

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 '𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗶𝗱' 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, unsettling the common sense that hearing aid is a physical THING and declaring - in a sort of a postmodern turn - that the device from now on can reside in either a mechanical body or in a software-implemented soul. This body-soul dualism might sound awkward (Can a certified soul and an uncertified body be combined in a certified whole?), but it is only a natural consequence of 30 years of digital signal processing in hearing aids. What post-revolutionary world are we facing after the proclamation of the new hearing aid ontology? Are there known Questions that today can be answered in a new way? ⏹ An FDA approved Hearing aid can be now obtained at zero-cost (as free software update), a social utopia that in Europe (with generous coverage by social insurance) - is reality for years. ⏹ One question will preoccupy psychology enthusiasts: can FDA-approval alone increase the benefit of a consumer electronics device - ceteris paribus. This 'placebo assumption' can be reiterated - Can an expensive hearing aid help better than a cheap one with same specs? And consequently: Are OTC devices a legitimate remedy or a hobby? ⏹ Hearing aid product has many dimensions, regulatory framework being only one of them. Now the regulations, availability (everywhere) and price (zero) are perfectly optimized - the old question needs to be asked again: Why are people still not using hearing aids❓ ⏹ The hearing aid has relocated into immaterial, software domain, but it took too much of the old bulky stuff with him - particularly the audiometer and the white gown of the DIY-practitioner. Beyond the hype and the drama, little has changed. ⏹ The incumbent hearing aid industry is today much less affected by AirPods and the hegemony of Apple Inc than it is eroded by lean and agile OEM competition from China. Late Clayton Christensen would probably remind us now - product revolutions usually do not come from above, they sneak unnoticed from below. #Apple #HearingAid #SaMD #Audiology #iOS #FDA