ALDA Chicago News from ALDA

Open Captioned Performance: Book of Mormon

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:38:49 GMT

An open-captioned, live theater performance of Book of Mormon is being provided by "Broadway In Chicago" on Sunday, March 31. A small group of ALDAns is planning to attend. You are invited to join them if you wish. Details appear below.

Sunday, March 31, 7:30 PM
Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago

The theater has set aside a block of tickets in the orchestra section for those using captioning. The captions will be displayed on a panel near this section, providing "a good view of stage and captions". The theater is also offering these seats at a special price of $55 per ticket. To purchase tickets for this performance at the special price, call Nancy Clark at: 312-977-1701 ext. 1259. Be sure to mention the ALDA group and the need for captioning.

Iris Sherman, ALDA Chicago Outreach Chair, is planning to go. If anyone is interested in joining her for dinner at the "Italian Village" before the show, please email her at isherman@comcast.net. Thank you.

For more info on scheduled sign-interpreted or captioned performances, go to www.broadwayinchicago.com/theatreinfo_specialneeds.php then scroll down the page.

Discounted parking is available with your ticket stub. For other info, go to www.broadwayinchicago.com.

If anyone wants to request open captioning for other Broadway in Chicago shows/performances, they can do so by emailing Nancy Clark at NClark@broadwayinchicago.com.

ALDA Chicago Fundraiser

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:55:02 GMT

In honor of ALDA Chicago's 25 years as an organization, member Fran Bowden has quilted this commemorative wall hanging and donated it as a fundraiser. Find out more on our Events page.

AMC lists movie theaters with caption devices

Beth Botts — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:14:17 GMT

The AMC movie theater chain has put a list online of screens that have captioning devices, to enable people with hearing loss to enjoy movies. Find the information here.

Where ALDA Chicago's Money Went in 2011...

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 21:55:54 GMT

Click the below link to see ALDA Chicago's expenses for 2011

2011 ALDA Pie.pdf

Show Us the Captions!

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:29:26 GMT

ALDA Chicago will be hosting a movie and dinner event at multiple locations in the greater Chicago area on Saturday, November 17. This social will allow us to be advocates for the theater accessibility we all want, simply by showing up together as a group to attend the movies. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to know other ALDA members who live near you.

The plan is for each group to meet at their theater lobby at a specified time for socializing, enjoy the movie of their choice, and then meet up again afterwards for dinner. Invite your friends and family to join us. The more the merrier!

Locations are still being arranged. If you are interested in hosting one of our sites, please contact Social Chair Sarah Wegley at skwegley@gmail.com for information.

ALDA Chicago is partnering with Collaborative for Communication Access via Captioning (CCAC) an international organization to make Show Us the Captions! a national event during the month of November. Our goals are to

Promote captioning to potential moviegoers who don’t know their theater has it.
Demonstrate the real need for captioning to theater owners.
Raise awareness of inclusion and accessibility issues to the general public.
Say thanks to the cinemas participating!

Find out more at our Facebook page.

Social Chair Needs Your Help for 25th Birthday Party

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 20:29:55 GMT

A Message from Social Chair Sarah Wegley to All Members

Hi everyone,
I am looking for people to serve on a 25th Birthday Party planning committee. Our mission is to plan an amazing event for next April to mark ALDA Chicago's 25 years as a group. The next board meeting is in 2 weeks and I would like to have some names by that time. Please let me know if you are interested.

Our first responsibility is to select a restaurant/banquet facility and a speaker. I'd like to have this done before the board meeting in October so we can move on to the fun party stuff after that. All ideas are welcome. We will communicate via group emails.

If you don't want to be on the committee, but you have a suggestion for a great restaurant or speaker, please contact me via email at skwegley@gmail.com Thanks!

ALDAcon 2012 Scholarships are available!

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:25:40 GMT

ALDA Chicago once again will offer scholarships to attend ALDAcon 2012 in Columbia, SC, at the beautiful Marriott Hotel from October 17th thru 21st. Here is your chance to attend one of the warmest conventions ever, with good old Southern hospitality. Just click on the ALDAcon Scholarship tab on the blue menu at left, and fill out the form. All applicants will be given serious consideration. Apply now!

As of the deadline of August 1, 2012, applications are no longer being accepted for this year's convention. The scholarships will be offered once again starting about April for next year's ALDAcon 2013 in Albuquerque, NM.

AMC agrees to install closed captioning in all Illinois theaters by end of 2014

Beth Botts — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:04:51 GMT

The AMC movie theater chain has agreed to install closed captioning devices in all of its digitally-equipped theaters in Illinois by the end of 2014, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Wednesday.

The settlement comes two years after Chicago-based Equip for Equality approached the attorney general's Disability Rights Bureau to complain about the lack of captioning in movie theaters. The attorney general's office decided to approach AMC as the state's largest theater operator, with about 5,000 screens in 320 theaters.

The devices will be installed as AMC theaters are switched to digital projection, according to Noel MacDonald, AMC's vice president for operations. First priority will be given to the 41 theaters in the Chicago area, he said. "We are happy to add this last piece to our digital conversion," he said.

The agreement also calls for the installation of description devices for people who are blind or have other visual impairments. These headphones deliver a play-by-play description of a movie's action and setting.

"This is a spectacular achievement in the civil rights of people with disabilities," said Amy Peterson, senior attorney with Equip for Equality. "I hope others in Illinois will follow AMC's lead."

"It is a rare day when we get to celebrate success," said Amber Smock, program director of Access Living, recalling how disappointed she was as a child when she could not hear or understand the movie "Peter Pan."

Other advocacy groups, including the Hearing Loss Association of America, also joined the effort.

The announcement is a great step forward for people living with hearing disabilities in Illinois, said Marsha Kopp, president of ALDA Chicago, the local chapter of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults Inc. "It means we can attend the movies when we like and share the experience with our hearing family members and friends," Kopp said.

The agreement requires that 25 percent of AMC's digitally-equipped theaters in the state have closed captioning by June 1, 2012; 50 percent by Dec. 1, 2012; and 100 percent by April 1, 2014.

It does not necessarily mean that all AMC theaters will have closed captioning. It states that all digitally-equipped theaters will have closed captioning installed, but does not require AMC to convert all its theaters to digital.

The new captioning devices, which are on a bendable, adjustable arm that sticks in the seat's cupholder, replace the Rear Window system that has been used in some theaters for more than a decade. That system, which depended on captions reflected in a mirror, was only available at some showings and required patrons to sit only in certain seats. With the new system, Madigan said, theater patrons will be able to have captioning at any showing in any equipped theater.

AMC theaters already equipped for closed captioning, according to MacDonald, include the AMC River East 21 theater in Chicago, where the news conference was held; the AMC Leows 600 N. Michigan Avenue theater in Chicago; and the AMC Randhurst 12 in Mount Prospect. However, the theaters' websites have not yet been updated with information about the captioning.

AMC's IMAX theaters and certain special showings, such as Metropolitan Opera performances, are not included in the settlement requiring captioning, because the distributors of their programming do not yet include caption or description tracks in the movies, according to Sun Dee Larson, AMC's vice president for film marketing and communications.

In fact, only about 90 percent of movies that are released to theaters include a caption track, Larson said, and captioning devices will not work unless the distributor includes that track. She said she hopes that increased demand will drive distributors to include caption and description tracks in all movies.

Madigan said one of the reasons she is pleased with the agreement is that it was reached without litigation, although there is a decade-long history of legal action in other states by advocates attempting to push theater chains, including AMC, to provide equal access to the movies for people with hearing and vision impairments. ALDA Inc., the parent organization of ALDA Chicago, worked with other disability-rights advocates to reach a 2011 settlement in California under which AMC agreed to install closed captioning in all its theaters in that state by late 2013.

Asked about other theater chains, Madigan said, "They're going to be next."

Regal Cinemas, the nation's largest movie theater chain, and Cinemark, another large chain, also have committed to installing closed captioning as they convert to digital projection, stating that the installation by the end of 2012. Neither chain has committed to a timetable for Illinois.

Another frontier for advocacy is the internet. Few movies, TV shows or other videos streamed on the internet are captioned. The National Association of the Deaf has a lawsuit pending against Netflix over this issue.

ALDA Chicago needs your help. Become a volunteer!

Beth Botts — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:29:18 GMT

Any serious-minded non-profit organization relies on human and financial resources to help achieve its goals and grow. ALDA Chicago is no exception.

As an ALDAn, potential member, community activist or service provider for those with hearing loss, your contribution of time, talent and special skills is vital to our success. As we enter our 24th year, we hope you can take pride in our organization and all that we have accomplished while also recognizing that there is still so much to do. The bottom line is that we need your help to do it.

Each of the following committees needs at least one volunteer (and preferably more) to head up and/or assist in fulfilling its duties:
· Advocacy
· Exhibits
· Fundraising
· Newsletter
· Website
· Workshops

Please accept our invitation to become an active participant in our future and the future of others who are or will face hearing loss. You CAN make a difference.

If one of the above areas interests you, grab the opportunity to get your feet wet and move it forward, to put your own stamp on it if that be the case. In turn, you will probably get to add a new skill to your repertoire or resume, learn a little something from the experience or just take pride in giving something back or a job well done.

What do you say? Are you up to the challenge? Can we count on you? If so, contact President Marsha Kopp at ms_kopp@yahoo.com about donning that ‘new hat.’ Thank you.

Journalist Jeffrey Zaslow dies, was first to write about ALDA

Beth Botts — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:26:03 GMT

Journalist and author Jeffrey Zaslow who died in a car crash in Michigan last week was the first reporter to write about ALDA in 1991. Learn more about Zaslow here. Read his article about ALDA here.

3 board members re-elected; board meets Feb. 4

Beth Botts — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:35:00 GMT

Nomination Chairman Joe Linder reports that three members of the ALDA Chicago board of directors have been re-elected to two-year terms.

The election was conducted by mail. Results were tabulated and the individuals elected to serve a two-year term beginning in 2012 are:

1. Beth Botts

2. Marsha Kopp

3. Iris Sherman

The first meeting of the seven-member board will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Progress Center for Independent Living, 7521 Madison Street, Forest Park. Board officers will be elected, including president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Members are welcome to attend but only directors may vote.

PCIL offers home modification program in Proviso Township

Beth Botts — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:26:51 GMT

Progress Center for Independent Living in Forest Park now offers a Home Modification Program for people with disabilities who live in Proviso Township, Cook County. For more information, contact Larry Biondi at 708-209-1500, Extension 24.

For more information on PCIL, click here.

United Healthcare offers online hearing tests, inexpensive devices

Beth Botts — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:21:43 GMT

ALDAn Kitty Berger asked us to make you aware of the hi Health Innovations website where United Healthcare offers online hearing tests and hearing aids starting at $749 each. ALDA Chicago does not endorse products.

TV story about drivers' license designation for people with hearing loss

Beth Botts — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:16:38 GMT

The state of Illinois has a special designation -- the J88 designation -- that alerts police and other emergency personnel to your hearing loss. Recently, ABC TV-Channel 7 in Chicago did a story about this program. To read the accompanying story and see the video, click here. To learn more about the program, click here for the website of the Illinois Secretary of State.

Press Release from ALDA Inc. - AMC Theatres Captioning Systems

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:40:32 GMT

Dec. 20, 2011, Kansas City, MO – AMC Theatres® (AMC) today announced it will install personal captioning systems for its guests who are deaf or have significant hearing loss. The captioning systems will be installed in California, and across its national circuit, on a rolling basis, in conjunction with AMC’s national conversion to digital cinema. AMC will offer closed captioning for 127 screens in California by mid-2012, and projects that number to grow to over 500 screens by late 2013.

Movie captions convey the dialogue, narration, musical cues, key sound effects, speaker identification and other auditory information, in the form of written text for guests who have significant difficulty hearing the movie sound track. Closed captions are relayed – in sync with the movie – only to guests who choose to receive them via a personal display device. In setting the time-table for installation of captioning capability in California, AMC worked closely with the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA), an advocacy group for those who have lost some or all of their hearing, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a non-profit legal center, headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., and John Waldo, an attorney whose practice focuses on the needs of those with hearing loss.

“We applaud AMC’s collaborative efforts in working with us to provide closed captioning technology, which allows our constituents with hearing loss the opportunity to watch first-run movies in theatres throughout California,” said Cynthia Amerman, President of ALDA. “We are pleased AMC chose to continue its commitment to captioning as the industry transitions from traditional film technology to digital cinema,” said Sid Wolinsky of Disability Rights Advocates.

“We commend AMC’s support for captioning,” said Elizabeth Leonard of Disability Rights Advocates. “AMC’s decision to provide captioning in its digitally converted theatres makes first-run movies available to millions of patrons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in California.”

“The conversion to digital cinema has created new opportunities to improve closed captioning for offerings. We intend to work closely with them to make sure that we provide high quality closed-captioning systems for our deaf and hard of hearing patrons,” John McDonald, executive vice president of U.S. Operation for AMC added.

“AMC has supported and provided captioning for many years,” said Laura Franze, a partner with the law firm of Hunton & Williams LLP, who represented AMC in its negotiations with ALDA. “Today’s decision reaffirm’s AMC’s long-standing commitment to the company’s deaf and hard of hearing patrons.”

About American Multi-Cinema, Inc.: AMC delivers distinctive and affordable movie-going experiences in 357 theatres with 5,098 screens across the United States and Canada. The company operates 22 of the 50 highest grossing theatres in the country, including the top three. AMC has propelled industry innovation and continues today by delivering premium sight and sound, enhanced food and beverage and diverse content. www.AMCTheatres.com.

About the Association of Late-Deafened Adults: The Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. The Association of Late Deafened Adults advocates on behalf of the 38 million Americans who have lost some or all of their hearing. For more information, please visit www.alda.org.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Ryan Noonan, AMC Theatres

Telephone: (816) 480-4724

Email: rnoonan@amctheatres.com

Cynthia Amerman, President of ALDA

Email: president@alda.org

Sid Wolinsky, Disability Rights Advocate

Telephone: (510) 665-8644

Elizabeth Leonard, Disability Rights Advocate

Telephone: (510) 665-8644

John Waldo, Law Offices of John Waldo

Telephone: (206) 849-5009

Breaking News! ALDAcon 2012 in Columbia, S.C.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:59:47 GMT

The word is out! ALDA Inc. proudly announced that ALDAcon 2012 will be held at the Marriott Columbia Hotel in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina. The dates to save are Oct. 17th through Oct. 21st, 2012.

ALDAcon is the international conference of ALDA Inc., the organization of which ALDA Chicago is a chapter.

The Carolina Flight chapter of ALDA Inc. will host the convention with their good, gracious, southern charm to bring you the best of southern hospitality. So mark your calendar, start saving your pennies, and get ready for ALDAcon 2012. Hope to see y'all there!

New book helps with sudden hearing loss

Beth Botts — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:15:36 GMT

"A Survival Guide for New Deafies" is the name of a book by ALDA member Amy Sargent.After becoming suddenly deaf at the age of 27, Sargent decided to share the lessons she had learned and practical advice in a humorous, supportive way. The subtitle is "Specifically written for people who suffer from late onset hearing loss and the people who love them." The book is available for $14.95 at her website, deafgirlamy.com, at Amazon.com, at Barnes and Noble.com and also as a Kindle e-book for $9.99 and as a NOOK e-book.

Chicago Walk4Hearing Event is a Successful Fundraiser

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:45:33 GMT

Ten people came out to walk for Team ALDA Chicago at the Walk4Hearing event in Lincoln Park on October 15. Together we raised almost $3,100. Forty percent of that money will go to ALDA Chicago. Team captain Marsha Kopp announced that could cover captioning costs until 2013. The remaining sixty percent goes to the Hearing Loss Association of America who sponsored the event.

Our Sarah wins Oticon award

Beth Botts — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:07:53 GMT

Sarah Wegley, social chair of ALDA Chicago, has won the "2011 Focus on People Awards" in the Advocacy category from Oticon, the hearing aid maker. Thank you for your votes! Click here for the official announcement. Sarah, a college librarian, has a blog, "Speak Up Librarian,"about her experiences as a hard of hearing person with a successful career. Almost as soon as she joined ALDA Chicago a year ago, she stepped right up to volunteer as social committee chair and has done a great job of organizing socials and events. Congratulations to Sarah!

ABC-TV to air report on theater captioning Sept. 18

Beth Botts — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:18:45 GMT

ABC TV-Channel 7 will air a report on theater captioning in Chicago by reporter Karen Meyer at 8 a.m. Sunday, September 18, 2011. Beth Botts, a member of ALDA Chicago and HLAA-Lincoln Park chapter, will appear in an interview about her experiences enjoying live theater at Steppenwolf Theater and Victory Gardens Theatre.