SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People) Google Group

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: blog

2009-11-26T06:05:59Z

Thanks I am glad that you liked it I will over time keep adding to it and I
am sorry that I gave the // the wrong way round in my post!!! My friend
worked out that thats what I had done wrong!!
Erin
----- Original Message -----
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)"

Fw: Pdca [Fwd: [human rights] Commissioner looks forward to better media access [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]]

2009-11-26T06:02:40Z

Again thought you might be interested
Erin
----- Original Message -----
To: physdis
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 10:50 AM

-------- Original Message --------
access [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
To: p...@pdca.org.au

****************************** ************
Australian Human Rights Commission Mailing List Service

Fw: Pdca Object to Cinemas request for Exemption

2009-11-26T05:59:01Z

Thought you all might be interested in this
Erin
----- Original Message -----
To: AFDO Members Elist ; AFDO Board Elist ; OZAdvocacy ; OZPhys Dis Elist ; ANSWD Australasian Students Network
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 10:33 AM

fyi..

----- Original Message -----
To: wwda-disc...@lists.nwjc.org.au

Re: blog

2009-11-25T23:16:13Z

Hi Erin,

that is fantastic.

So that, i think, brings the number to 3 blogs from SHHH googlegroup
members

[link]

Does anyone know of anyother blogs that they follow with regards to

Hopes rise for better media access for Deaf and hearing impaired Australians

2009-11-25T22:48:41Z

Deafness Forum CEO Nicole Lawder today welcomed the release of a
government discussion report on proposals to improve access to TV,
cinema, DVD and internet downloads for people with a disability.

The report Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision
Impaired: Approaches for Consideration was released by the Minister

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-11-25T03:55:14Z

Hi Christian,

I had registered myself to trial this system on the website you gave us.

I haven't heard from anyone to date.

Sounds exciting.

Scrunch.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, 25 November 2009 2:31 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
telephone. Participants needed

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-11-25T03:30:44Z

Hi SHHH Googlegroupers,

i have just had a go of the new ACE web captioned telephony system and
want to say it works a treat after the first time i used it.

whatever the other person says, it comes up on your computer screen in
near realtime.

Would also like to inform that the SHHH office in Turramurra also has

blog

2009-11-22T08:55:01Z

Hi
I have started writing a blog I thought you might be interested in
You can read it at
http:\\musicanddisability.blog spot.com
Cant work out why not going blue so hope you can copy and paste and that you find it and enjoy. Its about how I have continued to be a musician despite being deaf and having other disabilities too. There will some photos eventually. I have written 3 entries so far.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Who to complain to about dodgy audiology services

2009-11-16T05:34:49Z

Hi All

You should only complain to the Office of Hearing Services if you have received services through the government hearing services program.
People who have purchased aids privately need to complain to the ASA (Audiologists) or AcAud (mainly Audiometrists).

Emma

-----Original Message-----

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Who to complain to about dodgy audiology services

2009-11-15T22:00:40Z

Hi Kate ,
You can complain to the Office of Hearing services in Canberra. This is the
main body set up by the Federal Government for complaints. I suggest that
you write to them.
Jan

-----Original Message-----
Behalf Of Kate
Sent: Monday, 16 November 2009 8:51 AM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)

Who to complain to about dodgy audiology services

2009-11-15T21:51:04Z

Hi everyone,

If you ever need to complain about an audiologist, or rather their
services if you are not happy with them, I have received some info
from an audiologist about avenues of complaint for problems
experienced with hearing aid and related purchases:

1. The Audiological Society of Australia (ASA) (also known as

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

2009-11-10T07:15:22Z

OK
I was just wondering because I am no where near Marion as in over an hour
away and the East End one mostly does foreign strange movies (I have been
there once) on top of I am in a wheelchair so it makes getting to it
difficult. What other ones are coming in Adelaide?
Erin
----- Original Message -----

Free Telecommunications Seminar - Adelaide

2009-11-09T23:48:02Z

Hi SHHH Google Groupers, here is another great event happening in
Adelaide for the SA google groupers. Please pass this on to others who
may be interested. This is organised by the Deafness Forum and Deaf
Australia Inc.

Here is your opportunity to ask questions and to help improve access
and services. Please let us know how you go.

ACCESS ALL AREAS FILM FESTIVAL

2009-11-09T23:38:53Z

Hi SHHH Google Groupers, Just received a notification from Karina, who
is organising the Access All Areas Film Festival.

As part of the Access All Areas is a whole bunch of movies being shown
around NSW - all of which are audio descriptioned and have captions!

CASTLE HILL 16 NOVEMBER
NORTH ROCKS 17 + 18 NOVEMBER

FW: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

2009-11-09T22:54:41Z

Hi Erin

There are currently two cinemas in Adelaide that have captioned movie
sessions. They are the Marion Megaplex and the Palace Nova East End. We have
a website devoted to accessible cinema at [link] which
gives you session times for captioned and audio described movies, the latest

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

2009-11-09T03:35:36Z

Are any of the accessible cinemas in Adelaide? I have never been to a movie
with captions but most of the advertisements on this list for this are in
Sydney.
Personally I think this increase is terrible but I guess you have to take
anything you can get from them and hope that eventually they will do better.

Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

2009-11-08T23:23:00Z

From Nicole Lawder of Deafness Forum

The Australian Human Rights Commission has received an application for
a Temporary Exemption on behalf of Hoyts Corporation, Greater Union
Organisation, Village Cinemas and Reading Cinemas. The application and
a notice inviting submissions on the application has been placed on

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-06T11:43:09Z

Hi Pete,

I've just come off reading your blog, I loved it!!

I tend to take my being HOH a bit too seriously sometimes, so I love that
your able to use humour to describe your experiences but also be honest at
the same time.

Please continue to do what you do, you are an inspiration and I feel it's so

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-06T10:59:08Z

Gday Peter,

its excellent that you write a blog to document to your experiences.
Please make sure you let us google groupers know about your
experiences when they happen.
Since that SHHH stands for 'Self Help for Hard of Hearing' it can only
help when one hears of other peoples experiences and how they deal

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-06T09:19:05Z

Hi Peter,

I've just finished reading your blog. I really enjoyed it, and I must
say it's great to come across a deafy with attitude!

Personally I can relate to a lot of what you've been through. I was
born hearing impaired (severe in my case, not profound), got a degree
and worked for large corporations here and overseas. I've now reached

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-05T06:42:36Z

Hey Scrunch,
I hear you, ....from my own experience...
-Getting a good job with good career prospects has always been pretty hard. I have no doubt that our society has developed a general distaste for ppl with disabilities. The common phrase of "deaf and dumb" that continues to parade the school grounds can only create in the minds of society, even if subconsciously, an inherent lower social status for those of us that are deaf. Having a good job for myself required putting in many extra hours and reading to be up to speed with my collegues. The jobs themselves, I actually have done pretty well at........but as we all know, the game is played in the backrooms. The backstabbing, gossip and basic protecting of ones butt is a verbal game that for a deaf person is impossible to play. I have found myself in situations where I am at fault? without knowing the faultline.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-05T04:38:50Z

Hi Pete,

I really like your positive attitude.

It's understood that this kind of thing happens in life but what is
disappointing is that the people that are put in place to ensure these
things don't happen like HR and Unions etc are not always doing their job so
it makes you think what are they there for?

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-05T03:57:34Z

Hey There,
I'm 42, born a deafy and doing something about it! Wanna read more see [link]

Cheers Pete

Oh yeah, the world is full of dicriminating ppl who take advantage of others disabilities to further there own agenda.....no-one said this world was easy so when it happens again flip em the bird.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-05T03:46:32Z

Hi Erin,

Yes, I can relate to what you have written here.

Yes, I did find new employment afterward in a place that services people
with disabilities and I felt right at home there.

Unfortunately, I was made redundant and am now taking a break from work.

Scrunch.

-----Original Message-----

RE: {SHHH Support Group} D.D.A.r

2009-11-04T08:24:39Z

Hi Scrunch, The DDA or Disabilities Discrimination Act is a very strong
document, look it up on internet, you will find that the states and
territories all have agencies to police it. Denis McDonald.

-----Original Message-----
Behalf Of Andrew Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, 4 November 2009 9:06 AM

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-04T03:09:44Z

Hi Scrunch
I think that is appalling do you know of the disability advocacy groups in
your state? I have used the one in SA twice in the last 12 months and they
were excellent help not about being deaf but still related to disability
issues.
At least if it ever happens again this may be an option worth pursuing.

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-04T02:24:30Z

I have had the same problem, I work for Area Health Health Service and have
suffered considerable abuse and bullying in the office. My Team Leader did
not support me at all. It was only after this particular person went on to
bully another new member of the office that my matter was taken seriously -

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-03T22:05:35Z

Hi Scrunch,

This is sad, but it is life. There are people out there like that.

I have chosen to fight in a number of instances when this has occurred. One
method is to launch a DDA complaint against the company, and that makes them
take action, also it raises the issue to a much higher level within the

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-03T21:34:01Z

Hi Scrunch,

That was absolutely disgusting! You may want to contact the Deaf Forum
over that.

I'm 51 now and work in the nursing profession. Any reports of
discrimmination and/or harassment are taken very seriously and we have
an excellent union that gives us plenty of support.

Nevertheless, hearing loss is unfortunately not well tolerated in the

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-03T18:59:17Z

Hi Denis,

Sad to say, one of my worst experiences was working for local government.

My so called "Team Leader" at the time was verbally abusive along with some
other unprofessional conduct, I contacted my Union at the time thinking they
were going to support me but their response was to leave my employment!

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: New Member

2009-11-03T09:44:33Z

Hi Scrunch. What's new! Nothing has changed over 75 years. A number of years
ago we had Access Committees at Local government level, our local
politicians were kept aware of the problems. My suggestion is get out there
and do something about it. I am still fighting. Denis McDonald.

-----Original Message-----

Re: {SHHH Support Group} New Member

2009-11-02T12:14:11Z

Hi
I am 28 and wear hearing aids in both ears are in adelaide and have only
been deaf since october 2006. Originally found it very difficult because i
am a musician and want to teach, now on top of that I need a wheelchair (not
related to being deaf) so I doubly feel isolated because I cannot drive very

RE: {SHHH Support Group} New Member

2009-11-02T11:26:33Z

Hi Laughalot,

Welcome to the SHHH google group.

I can relate to you, I'm 39 from Sydney, have also had hearing loss most my
life and wear hearing aids in both ears.

I've also struggled in accepting my hearing loss, but find that I'm slowly
starting to come to terms with it.

However, it was difficult as I went to a hearing school and grew up thinking

New Member

2009-11-02T09:54:31Z

I am a new member from Perth, WA. I am 38 years old. I have had a
hearing loss all my life and wear heairng aids in both ears. I
struggle with my hearing loss and haven't accepted. Socially etc. Any
tips on how others cope would be appreciated. I feel isolated. Thanks.

Documentary for SBS - exciting opportunity

2009-11-02T02:08:16Z

Hi all,

A friend of mine is producing a TV show for SBS. He is looking for a
deaf person to participate in the Sydney - Hobart yacht race this
year.

Please see email below for further information.

This is a very exciting opportunity and time is running out, so let me
know if you’re interested and I will introduce you to Nick via email.

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-31T04:37:57Z

How can I help to change this would a letter to someone help? Sorry to be a pain and I agree any change takes time. I just never realised that the telecommunications providers were like this Like I said great that other carriers provide TTY equipment but without the other things I will not hear the phone thus defeating the point of having TTY? I guess the government don't get that. If they think this then I reckon that Telstra should try and be more competetive with their prices at least that way I wouldn't want to leave them and I am talking about their phone and their internet as well.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-30T13:58:15Z

Hi Erin,

I have raised this issue with them again.

Some changes take time..

Regarding your question of "Why don't we get the same choice of carrier as
anyone else?" - the government consider that if our needs can be met by one
carrier , then we are not entitled to choice!

Regards

Andrew Stewart

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-29T04:26:59Z

Hi Andrew do you know how much or where to get an extension ringer/visual signal alerter from? Also what is the point of Optus or any other carrier letting people rent a TTY machine when without the above equipment they wont hear the phone ring? Why should we be forced to buy this equipment/stay with Telstra if we want to hire it for $3 month? Why dont we get the same choice of carrier as anyone else?

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-27T06:06:43Z

I have more info for you I have just got off phone to optus actually tried internet relay thru instant messanger quite cool. Um I have more info about Optus they were very apologetic and they tried to tell me the same thing that TTY not avail but apparently it is and they can loan for 2.75 per month but they dont have any other equipment such as extension ringer or visual signal alert and I realise I can get this thru telstra and I am wondering does anyone know how I can find out whether optus does or does not have this equipment or failing that how much they are to purchase or whether optus can get it from telstra?? What is the point of having TTY if i dont hear it ring to begin with??

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-27T03:13:25Z

Hi Jan and Andrew
I have just got off the phone to Optus and I am really quite confused. I have been told that due to apparently unknown commercial reasons they cannot run a TTY phone through their standard phone line system and due to fact that at this point there is only Optus ADSL 2 in our area and not cable (but there is Telstra cable cause thats what we currently have) I cannot have a TTY phone. They also apparently dont have TTY phones for rental which is what Hearing Solutions was getting at they get the equipment from telstra and we pay more for it!

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-27T02:14:05Z

Yes but I am not sure what equipment they do/dont have? Like will they have the TTY that I require plus the extension ringer and all the other gadgets that go with it? I was told by hearing solutions in Adelaide that whatever they dont have they get from telstra and they will charge per piece of equipment. Also I think this disability service is new because when I rang up asking for disability wequipment at the beginning of the year they had nothing and didn't offer to get the equipment from telstra. I hate this because I get told different things by different people and find it difficult to work out what is correct and what isn't. However I will ring them now and see what they have to say and get back to you. I could not find anything on their website about it either.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-26T21:02:02Z

Hi Erin,

Did you know that Optus has a disability service?

Jan

Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Monday, 26 October 2009 11:59 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Participants needed

Thats OK I will ring Optus tomorrow and enquire myself. I will see what they
say.

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-26T12:58:32Z

Thats OK I will ring Optus tomorrow and enquire myself. I will see what they say.

I did the TTY trial today and it appears due to my visual impairment I will need to use the superprint TTY which needs a phone set up with it. I do not know what equipment Optus have and what equipment they use from Telstra. But will see what I can find out from them and let you know.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-26T10:48:51Z

Sorry Erin,

I don't know the answer to your question.

Let me know what Optus say.

Regards

Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave,
Denistone East 2112
Sydney, NSW
Tel: (02) 9809 2392
Fax: (02) 9809 2345
TTY: (02) 9809 1283
Mobile: 0411 757 622

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-26T05:14:17Z

Hi andrew I have another question for you regarding carriers other than telstra and disability equipment.

Currently I have a big button phone, extension ringer and I will be also getting a cordless phone (cause of being in wheelchair and cant make it to phone on time and I will be able to transfer to big button if I cant hear on it) and also a thing that a lamp plugs into and flashes when the phone rings. I will probably transfer to TTY at some point but will still need most of the above equipment. I think I will need the superprint cause the standard TTY is too small for me to read. Anyway normally through telstra you pay $3 a month and you can have as many pieces of equipment as are necessary BUT according to hearing solutions yes other carriers can get the equipment but you have to pay $3 per piece of equipment per month so if you have 4 or 5 pieces instead of being $3 it would be 4 times that. I reckon that just because you are hearing impaired doesn't mean that you dont have a choice of phone carrier so you can rent the equipment. I am so sick of telstras charges especially for the internet. Optus are far cheaper.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-25T05:56:19Z

Hi Erin,

All their contact details are on

[link]

Regards

Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave,
Denistone East 2112
Sydney, NSW
Tel: (02) 9809 2392
Fax: (02) 9809 2345

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-25T03:49:04Z

Does anyone know the 1800 no for the telstra disability equipment service? My big button phone has a key the no 9 that is sticking and it keeps not dialling everytime I press it. I think they should be able to switch it over for me.
Are they open on the weekend?
Erin
----- Original Message -----

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-22T12:21:50Z

Thanks for the website.
Um this is not what hearing solutions told me which is suprising. She told me that I had to type my messages and not speak to the person. I am able to speak to them I just cant hear what they are saying.
Speak and text sounds a lot better than type and text and it said that there are TTY phones that have a large visual display. While I am not technically badly visually impaired (although I wear reading glasses small texrt even "normal" print books are too small for me to read and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to read the screen. I will have to request a large visual screen if I go ahead with this.

RE: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-22T09:15:03Z

If you are using speak and text through the NRS you can.

See

[link]

for more info.

Regards

Andrew Stewart
Technical Manager
Printacall Communications Technology
2 Doig Ave,
Denistone East 2112
Sydney, NSW
Tel: (02) 9809 2392
Fax: (02) 9809 2345

Re: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

2009-10-22T04:08:36Z

Oh I see - thanks for the info. I am going to trial TTY at Hearing Solutions next Monday to see how it works and if it is better than the big button phone. However I will probably not use it until next feb because thats when the phone plan runs out with Telstra and VOIP with Engin. Then we will have to look into better options. Since local and national ph calls are free through TTY it should not be as expensive And since thats why we went to Voip in the first place its kinda good.