Western Colorado Chapter
Hearing Loss Association of America
Free Monthly Meeting
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Springtime Double Header! Two Topic!
Insurance for Hearing Aids in Colorado Task Force and
Looping in Western Colorado
First up, we will hear from Lucas Marquardt, the Leader of the Task Force that has formed to explore ideas and create plans for creating insurance coverage for hearing aids in Colorado. Lucas, who is a businessman as well as a Commissioner on the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, will give an update on the efforts so far. We will learn about how to get involved in this grass-roots campaign.
Batting second, we will hear from Jeremiah Hines, the owner of the local company AV Experts. Jeremiah is a certified induction loop installer and will give an overview of how the loop systems work and how they are installed in public venues as well as homes. He will also give us an update of places and venues in Western Colorado that have loop system installed.
An induction hearing loop and captions will be available.
People of all ages and all types of hearing loss are welcome!
All meetings are free to members and non-members, including family and friends.
Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
10:30am – 12:30pm
Center for Independence
740 Gunnison Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Amy Becktell: [email protected]
Or 970-241-2592
For more information about Hearing Loss Association of America: www.hearingloss.org
Thanks to a grant from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, this meeting is captioned.
Got to: www.ccdhh.com for more information about the services this agency provides.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING HLAA WCO MEETINGS! Meetings are the first Saturday of the month, 10:30 – 12:30 |
Upcoming Events – Mark your calendar so you don’t miss a thing!
May 6
Elaine Navratil is Corresponding Secretary for the Colorado Deaf Senior Citizens Coalition (CDSCC), a non-profit with a mission statement to build an independent housing complex for deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing senior citizens. The Coalition received a grant from Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to provide accessible communication accommodations to participants who attend special presentations between now and June of 2017.
The presentation covers the mission, vision statements of CDSCC, and provide information about other facilities in the United States that have successfully accomplished similar goals. Participants will then complete a survey after the presentation so CDSCC can obtain feedback from others about this project.
Colorado Walk4Hearing Sunday, June 11, 2017
Since 2006, more than 79,000 walkers have stepped up and raised over $12 million to support approximately 48 million people with hearing loss in the United States. The Western Slopers Team is forming now. Let Amy Becktell know if you are planning to attend or if you want to make a donation. The walk will be held at Clement Park, in Littleton. For more information, or to sign up or make donations, please visit: www.walk4hearing.org.
HLAA2017 Convention to be held in Salt Lake City! Early bird registration ends March 31!
The Convention for 2017 will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 22 – 25, 2017. Enter your registration today for the best rates! Don’t miss this great opportunity for people from the Western Slope to attend a National Convention. The location is the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Early-bird registration closes March 31, 2017.
There are several people from western Colorado who will be attending. If you will be there, please let Amy Becktell know and we will arrange a special get together! On-line registration information is at this link: http://www.hearingloss.org/content/registration
March meeting summary
Dianna Shirley gave a great presentation about sign language. She gave us an overview of the deaf community and the importance of using sign language for eloquent, detailed communication. She also talked about the differences in various sign language methods (ASL and signed English), as well as regional and national differences. Dianna explained the process for becoming an interpreter and the type of services she provides. We also received a demonstration of various signs and finger spelling.
Several people indicated an interest in starting a sign language class. Contact Amy Becktell or the Center for Independence to follow up.
Grant Projects Update:
The projects for the grant from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are underway. The first project is to provide captioning at our public meetings; this is on-going. If you have not experienced live captioning, please come to a meeting. If you are familiar with live captions, please bring a guest so they can view this communication access.
Another project is to create a website for the Chapter. The website committee selected Long Point Digital to create our website. This is a company based in Palisade, Colorado. Development is underway. The domain name we selected is www.hearinglosswco.org. This site is not yet live and we will keep you posted as the work is performed.
We really need your help with the third project! This involves taking the three pieces of equipment we purchased out to the community to demonstrate how it works and how it can help the business or agency provide better communication access for its customers and clients. The demonstrations are an opportunity to advocate for HLAA and issues related to hearing loss.
Denice Roberts, the Chapter Professional Advisor, is assisting in learning how the equipment works, and documenting the steps for performing a demonstration. Amy Becktell, the Chapter Leader, will create a packet of information about HLAA and advocacy. Please contact Amy if you are interested in the training classes and are willing to meet with a business, agency, or government entity. If you own or are part of a business or agency and want a demonstration, please contact Amy: 970-241-2592 or [email protected].
Membership Benefits
Our chapter meetings with expert and experienced speakers will teach you how to best manage your hearing loss and improve your listening skills to live a more active lifestyle. Through the experience of other members, you will learn how to get the best treatment, as well as the latest techniques that can improve your listening beyond what a hearing aid alone can offer. You will learn about the latest developments in hearing aids, implants, assistive devices, communication access, smart phone apps and much more that can enhance your hearing. At our chapter, you will meet many others like yourself, whether you have hearing loss or are supporting someone with a loss. You need not face hearing loss alone! Go to www.hearingloss.org for information about joining our chapter!
Like us on Facebook!
The Western Colorado Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association is on Facebook! Search for Hearing Loss or type https://www.facebook.com/HLAAWCO in your browser. We post information about our chapter as well as information about the hearing loss community in western Colorado. We have over 70 likes! Help us reach our first 100 likes!
Western Colorado Chapter of HLAA is registered with AmazonSmile!
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers. Please consider our organization the next time you shop at Amazon!