HLAA – Montgomery County Chapter

The meeting on June 6 was an ice cream social, a good way to start the summer.

MontCo member Diana Bender, who is also Co-Director of the HLA-PA gave a presentation called “Things I Wish my Audiologist had told me!”  This was really a sort of “Mission Statement” about the matters of great interest to people with hearing loss.  Following this, several members described and demonstrated various ALD’s (Assitive Listening Devices) that they use.  A lively discussion was part of the session.

The next meeting, on June 6, will be a dessert social evening.  All are welcome, at Suburban General Hospital, at 6:30 p.m.

Elizabeth LeBarron, who serves as the the National States and Chapters Coordinator for HLAA was our speaker for the April meeting. She described her work in suport of local chapters, which are the core strength of the Hearing Loss Association. She also gave a preview of the upcoming national convention in Washington DC., and reviewed promotional material available from the national organization.

The next meeting, on May 2, will feature a presentation by Diana Bender, the Co-Director of the Pennsylvania State HLA.  All are welcome, at Suburban General Hospital, at 6:30 p.m.

Karen Latimer, of Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) , was our speaker for the March meeting.  She described various aspects of PIAT’s work, including a lending library of assistive devices, and a program that can provide devices at no charge to qualified applicant.  She brought along and demonstrated a number of telephones, including a CAPTEL unit.

PIAT is a program of Temple University’s College of Education.

The April meeting will feature a presentation by Elizabeth LeBarron, who is the National States and Chapters Coordinator for HLAA , the national organization.  She will preview highlights of the upcoming national convention of HLAA in Washington in June.

The meeting starts at 6:30 PM and ends at 8:30 PM.

We meet at Mercy Suburban Hospital which is on Route 202 in East Norriton, PA.  All are welcome.

Our speaker this month is Karen Latimer, the Assistive Technology Specialist for Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), which is located at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University here in Philadelphia. Karen has been involved in the field of Assistive Technology and Disability Service for over 20 years. Before her service to PIAT, Karen was a Student Services Coordinator at Disability Student Services at Temple University.

Prior to her service at Temple, she was the CEO at TECH4U Adaptive Solutions, LLC in Phoenix, Arizona where she trained and assisted Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to provide Assistive Technology solutions for clients.

Please join us for our next meeting which will be held on

MONDAY,

March 7, 2011

beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Mercy Suburban Hospital.

Hope to see you all there!

The chapter celebrated the holiday season at the recent meeting with raspberry punch and a variety of holiday treats. Several visitors were present, and took part in the wide ranging discussions, mostly about dealing with hearing loss.
A few chapter members will again help at the Farm Show in Harrisburg in January. The state level organization, HLA-PA will sponsor a booth, and we will set up an induction loop for demonstration purposes.
The chapter does not meet in January and February; the next meeting will be on March 6, 2011.
We expect to return to the Jeanes Library eventually, but the timetable for the completion of their renovation and expansion program is not certain.

With the holidays just around the corner, we will be holding our traditional holiday party.

Members are asked to  bring a dessert or finger food of your choice and join in all the fun.　 Guests are always welcome at our meetings but we are extending a special invitation to them for our holiday party.

Please join us for our next meeting which will be held on
MONDAY    December 7, 2009    beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Mercy Suburban Hospital

Note: Montco Chapter will not meet during January and February – watch for the February newsletter with information on the March meeting.

Jim Fox,who is the Director for System Safety & Risk Management for SEPTA, spoke at our meeting on November 1.  He described Operation Lifesaver, SEPTA’s program to enhance safety at grade crossings, and discussed the challenges that the system faces in keeping their operations as safe as possible. Of particular interest to members of the Hearing Loss Association, he discussed the variety of ways in which SEPTA tries to accomodate riders with a variety of disabilities.  He also reviewed SEPTA history in general, and the financial picture of the system.  His finely crafted presentation has been delivered to bus drivers, schools, emergency personnel, and businesses.