About The Episcopal Church
to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing,
and Late Deafened
Commission on Ministry to the Deaf
Updated: 07/29/2003
by Pattie Meyers
At our Diocesan Convocation this winter, my hearing impairment was overcome by use of the new CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) system. This technology allows full participation of the hard of hearing or deaf, because it transcribes the spoken word instantly into text that can be read on a laptop computer. What a wonderful help to me and others! Another first in opening meetings to the hearing impaired is a Williams Listening System. In this instance, the speaker wears a small microphone which relays sound to headsets available to all to be picked up upon entering the church. This great asset to the community I encountered at Christ Church, Hackensack while attending the District 8 outreach meeting. The aging of the population has created a new emphasis on the problems of the deaf and hard of hearing in our churches, but these difficulties are far from age specific. They affect all age segments of our population, and greatly reduce the joy of participation in church services and activities. The Diocese of Newark has recognized this problem, with the formation of a Commission to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late-deafened for those with this disability. Members of this group have a wide range of hearing impairments or none at all, but they wish to be involved in these concerns at the parish level. Hearing loss, from which I suffer, is often associated with old age; but in my case, as with many others, it is due to an illness contracted at age 40. Because this enables me to bring a new perspective to the group, I was very glad to be named by the Bishop to this Commission. Since I don't hear well enough in a normal setting, even with a hearing aid, I often misunderstand the simple things we all take for granted. Lip reading and classes in sign language both required more effort then I could muster. But as a member of the Church of the Atonement, Fair Lawn, I am fortunate and able to participate in a meaningful capacity, because of the size of the congregation and with the help of a considerate priest who is sensitive to all impairments. However, circumstances vary widely throughout the diocese, and many people are at a disadvantage. The Commission is exploring many different ways that we can improve the participation of all in our church life and worship. Together we can make a difference.
Pattie Meyers is a member of Church of the Atonement, Fair Lawn.