In the past, Kauaians with hearing disabilities usually did not attend performances or recitals at the Lihu‘e Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Those residents were denied the joy of such events, and their absences diminished the occasion for the rest
In the past, Kauaians with hearing disabilities usually did not attend performances or recitals at the Lihu‘e Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Those residents were denied the joy of such events, and their absences diminished the occasion for the rest of the family attending such events, said those in positions to know.
Members of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee For Equal Access (MACFEA) want to correct that problem through the use of assisted-listening devices, which work like hearing aides.
At a meeting at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Thursday, group members discussed ways to distribute the devices for social functions at the convention hall.
“This issue is important because the device provides access to people who are hard of hearing, and using them will provide them equal opportunities (in life, as provided through the American With Disabilities Act),” said Christina Pilkington, county ADA coordinator.
Pilkington estimates that one in 20 people have hearing loss, and their lives would be enriched if they could use the devices.
The devices are required to be used in auditoriums and at concerts and performances across the nation, to be in compliance with the federal law, Pilkington said.
County officials bought a number of the listening devices for use at the convention hall to comply with the law, she said.
The use of the devices has been enhanced through the upgrading of the audio system at the convention hall, Pilkington said.
She thanked Eddie Sarita, who manages the convention hall, and Doug Haigh, a superintendent with the building division of the county Department of Public Works, for spearheading efforts to upgrade the system.
During their meeting, MACFEA members looked at ways to encourage groups who use the hall to distribute and use the devices, she said.
The groups may be required to pass out the devices, and to instruct people with hearing impairments on how to use them, Pilkington said.
“We would be working with the permitting process to make sure groups are aware that the devices are available,” Pilkington said.
“It (making the hearing pieces available and having people use them) should be part of the permitting process.”
Groups currently pay a fee to use the convention hall.
Pilkington may have her job (getting people to use the devices) cut out for her.
“A lot of people don’t even know that the listening devices exist,” she said. “It magnifies sound greatly.”
Although the devices are commonly used in auditoriums or theaters on the Mainland, and their use is required at the convention hall in Lihu‘e, “I have never gotten a request from someone here to use one here,” Pilkington said.
She said she hopes to change that situation with more public education by the mayor’s advisory group.
Staff Writer Lester Chang may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.
