Finding Assistive Listening Devices for Your Congregation
July 15, 2008
Q. We have several members who have difficulty hearing the sermon and other parts of the Sunday service. We know there is equipment out there to help in such situations, but how do we tell if it's right for us?
A. For the second year, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Office of Accessibility Concerns is lending congregations a demonstration kit of assistive listening equipment to help those who have difficulty hearing worship services. For the cost of shipping, a congregation can use, for a week, a suitcase of FM equipment, including instructions, says the Rev. Devorah Greenstein, Program Coordinator for Accessibility Concerns.
One congregation that tried the equipment reports: "One of our congregants, an elderly gentleman, was almost in tears. He has been faithfully attending and has been given a printed copy of the sermon when we remember. He was able to hear the entire sermon and even all the announcements. He said it was the first time he had heard a service in years! It was a most joyous moment."
Adds Greenstein, "The response has been overwhelmingly positive." She says some congregations borrow the equipment to help them determine what kind of system they wish to buy. Others use it to help educate the congregation as to the need for such equipment. For information, contact the Accessibility Concerns Office at access @ uua.org or (617) 948-6451.
For more information contact interconnections @ uua.org.
Last updated on Monday, August 11, 2008.
