Can you Hear - and See Me Now? Easy Accommodations for Participants who are Hard of Hearing or Have Low-Vision

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1 Can you Hear - and See Me Now? Easy Accommodations for Participants who are Hard of Hearing or Have Low-Vision Presented by the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging and their partners

2 Why create a tool kit for Sensory Loss? Prevalence of participants who have low vision and/or are hard of hearing is very high among target population Seeing and hearing are critical factors to fully participate 2

3 Reason for Project WIHA received a grant from the Administration on Aging to advance Stepping On Grantees were encouraged to demonstrate efforts to reach out to adults with disabilities and communities of color A special thank you to the A Matter of Balance program for guidance from their own experience creating a low-vision tool kit 3

4 Stepping On Sensory Workgroup Partners Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging Department of Health Services Office on Aging Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers Monona Senior Center Low-Vision Support Group 4

5 Prevalence of Vision Loss Increases as individuals age 5.5% of individuals age have lowvision Doubles at age (12%) and at age (12.2%) Triples at age 75+ (15%) 5

6 Older Adults with Vision Loss are Twice as Likely to Fall due to: Fail to see environmental hazards Experience more difficulty maintaining balance Over-correct or have trouble taking corrective action after a stumble Exercise less, and consequently lose balance and strength Venture outdoors less- reduced absorption of vitamin D 6

7 Prevalence of Hearing Loss Increases with age 1/3 of adults 65+ has a hearing loss 1/2 of adults 85+ has a hearing loss Every 10 decibels increases change of fall by 1.4 fold A mild loss of 25 decibels makes the individual 3x likely to fall vs. someone with no hearing loss 7

8 Individuals with Hearing Loss: Are less aware of surroundings Do not benefit from the auditory clues about an environment, making tripping and falling more likely Often suffer from cognitive load, in which the brain is overwhelmed with demands on its limited resources.to maintain balance and gait. Dr. Frank Lin, Ph.D., John Hopkins University, School of Medicine falling 8

9 Sensory Toolkit Utilizing the Stepping On Key Elements, the tool kit looked at: Workshop Organization Accommodations Preparation Delivery 9

10 Tool kit Contents A. Room Accommodations B. Etiquette in Working with Individuals with Low-Vision or who are Hard of Hearing C. Group Process for Every Session D. Flipcharts and Brainstorming E. Use of handouts F. Additional Display Items 10

11 Tool kit Contentscont. G. Guest Experts H. Home Hazard Slides and Videos I. New Audio CD with exercises J. Outreach materials K. Registration Form L. Additional Resources 11

12 Assistive Technology ITEM HOW IT HELPS WHERE AVAILABLE Pocket Talkers Allows the user to receive increased amplification by way of the microphone on the top of the device Available at many online retailers for less than $150. FM Personal FM Listening System Leader's voice is transmitted (via microphone) to multiple receivers. A kit with a transmitter and receiver is also available online for around $650. Additional receivers can be purchased for around $

13 Assistive Technology ITEM HOW IT HELPS WHERE AVAILABLE Personal Hearing Loops Permanent Hearing Loops Leader's voice is transmitted (via microphone) directly to a single individual's telecoil in their hearing aid/cochlear implant or by way of a neck loop. Leader's voice is transmitted (via microphone) directly to an individual's telecoil in their hearing aid/cochlear implant or by way of a neck loop. Can be purchased online for around $250. These systems are permanently installed in churches, government facilities and libraries. For a list of Wisconsin Loops, click here 13

14 Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Items might be available through Independent Living Center (ILC) Assistive Technology Demonstration & Loan Closets. Aging and Disability Resource Centers may have Assistive Technology in-house Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired The Sharper Vision Store Specialty stores that sell Assistive Technology

15 Independent Living Center Assistive Technology Demonstration & Loan Closets 15

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18 ??? QUESTIONS??? Mason Aumanstal, DHS, Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (608) Anne Hvizdak, DHS, Office on Aging Jean Kalscheur, Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired Amber Mullet, DHS, Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Dee Nash, Access to Independence ext