a.b.c. (Advocates for Better Communication)
a.b.c. Committees
Commendations Committee: Selects for recognition by commendations those person(s), organizations, and programs providing access and accommodations to meet the needs of people with hearing loss.
Communications Committee: Disseminates information about a.b.c. activities and provides information to consumers about issues relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessibility. a.b.c.Reports and information posted on this website are compiled by committee members.
Cultural Affairs Committee: Initiates contact with and follows up on accessibility at theaters, movie houses, museums, historic sites, concert and lecture halls and places of public accommodation to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reference resources posted on the website are ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS & SERVICES IN CULTURAL CENTERS, THEATERS & AUDITORIUMS, ACCESSIBILITY REPORT FOR MUSEUMS, and CAPTIONED MOVIE SCHEDULES.
Emergency Service Personnel Committee: Conducts training workshops for fire and police department personnel explaining what is needed when they are in contact with people with hearing loss in the course of their work.
Health Care Committee: Initiates contact and follow-up with medical facilities to determine whether they meet ADA guidelines, provides sensitivity training for medical facility staff, assists consumers in understanding their rights and offer training to improve their ability to be effective self-advocates, maintains contact with governmental agencies and legislative bodies relative to health care concerns, works with the Center for Health Care Access, develops educational materials relative to health care for consumers and health care facilities, responds to correspondence and requests for information relative to health care concerns.
Legal Committee: Responds to relevant legislative proposals, codes and regulations.
Senior Services Committee: Contacts public and private Senior Services/Senior Centers to determine whether they meet the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides staff training about the needs of seniors with hearing loss, maintains contact with governmental agencies and legislative bodies about consumer concerns relative to hearing loss.
Telecommunications Committee: Follows up, educates and advocates for closed captioning of television, and both closed and open captioning of movies, videos and live theater productions., also advocates for the needs of people with hearing loss relating to accessibility on cellular phones and wireless phones. Members maintain contact with major captioning companies, TV networks, newspapers and specialized magazine guides and appropriate government agencies.
Travel Committee: Initiates and follows up with travel providers to explain the needs of persons with hearing loss and helps facilities and other providers meet compliance guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
