Is Your Library Hearing-Friendly?

***BEFORE YOU REGISTER FOR THIS ON-DEMAND WEBINAR PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW***

As library staff, it is our duty to ensure that our library spaces and services are accessibile to all community members, including those with hearing loss. Join us to better understand the difficulties people with hearing loss experience and the need for different strategies for communication and accessibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This on-demand webinar covers the benefits and limitations of personal hearing devices, the ADA law and effective communication as it pertains to libraries, and the pros and cons of different assistive listening systems (ALS). This on-demand webinar also includes examples of ALS installations at libraries, best practices for RFPs, educational materials for patrons, how to find trained installers of user-friendly technology (hearing loops), and share what is on the horizon.

Originally presented November 21, 2024.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

• Explain the nature of hearing loss and the benefits and limitations of hearing aids and cochlear implants in assisting individuals with hearing impairments;
• Better understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to communication in public spaces such as libraries, including various strategies for effective communication and accessibility to accommodate people with hearing loss in different environments; and
• Evaluate the pros and cons of different assistive listening systems that comply with the ADA.

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for public library directors, and youth and adult program staff. 

Panelists

Angela Meyers is the coordinator of youth and inclusive services at the Bridges Library System in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Meyers ​is the founder of the Library Memory Project​, which consists of twenty-one libraries across two counties partnering to offer memory cafes and educational opportunities to those living with memory loss and their care partners. Meyers has a Bachelor of Arts degree (2002) and a MLIS degree (2008) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received the Graduate of the Last Decade Award from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2018. Meyers is a Dementia Friends Wisconsin master trainer and is a continuing education adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Information School (iSchool).

Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD, is an audiologist and public speaker with over forty years of experience in hearing rehabilitation. She’s now a consumer advocate with the Hearing Loss Association of America. Dr. Sterkens has published many articles and lectured internationally to consumers, audiologists, hearing instrument specialists, and venue operators. Her TEDxOshkosh talk has been viewed thousands of times. Dr. Sterkens’ expertise includes living well with hearing loss, hearing accessibility, and hearing loops. Her work has led to hundreds of hearing loop installations in Wisconsin. She has received numerous awards for her efforts, including the American Academy of Audiology Presidential and UW-Oshkosh Alumna of the Year Awards. She serves on the board of HEAR in the Fox Cities, a non-profit that helps pay for hearing aids for children in North-East Wisconsin.

Important Registration Information

Log into or create your ALA eLearning account

An ALA eLearning account is required to register. Don’t have an account? Create one for free by going to the “Log in” menu located at the top right corner of your screen. No membership is required to create the account. If you encounter any issues registering for this webinar, then please email ce@ala.org for assistance.

Redeem your signup code to complete your registration

Once you’ve registered for this on-demand webinar, a signup code will be added to your ALA eLearning account and emailed to you. Find the signup code on your signup code page, then redeem it on your account’s dashboard to complete your enrollment in this on-demand webinar.

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Accommodations

This on-demand webinar is closed captioned in English (United States).

If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your access to this on-demand webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) prior to registering so we can attempt to provide appropriate accommodations.

Tech Requirements

To play this on-demand webinar you should use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edge. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.

Contact

This webinar is presented by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

If you have questions or problems accessing a recording, send a message to plawebinars@ala.org or call 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).