Nepali neighbors host HLAA visitors
August 2024
The Denver Chapter spent its July meeting at the Aurora History Museum, where new member Binisha Shrestha gave a talk about her native country, Nepal. The museum’s Mosaic of Cultures program featured exhibits of maps, artwork, traditional clothing and writing, with historical notes about the country, whose most famous landmark is Mount Everest.
Binisha explained, “First settled in 3000 BCE, Nepal has been influenced by China, India, Tibet, England, and other nations, but has retained its own culture and character. For a small country, Nepal is incredibly diverse, with over 100 ethnic groups and 123 languages spoken.”
Many traditions
She noted that most Nepali residents are Hindu or Buddhist, but other religions are also represented, including Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and indigenous faiths. The country is also famous for its many festivals, often based on religious traditions, but celebrated by many cultures. The small but active Nepali community in the Denver-Aurora area carries on some of these festivals.
Binisha says she would like to help more Americans become familiar with Nepal’s history and geography. She notes that she has met some Americans who either do not know where Nepal is located, or have never even heard of it. That changes when she reminds them that its biggest attractions include the Himalayas and Mount Everest.
The exhibit will continue until April 6, 2025.
An afternoon rainbow stretches over Barbara Nguyen’s back yard.
Beyond the ADA: Compliance follows communication
Andrea Kaneb is an electrical engineer with a genetic hearing loss. She lives in New Hampshire and loves attending the local theater, and finally got tired of not hearing the dialogue. She knew enough about the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to know the law requires public venues to provide assistive devices, but that doesn’t help when a play is about to begin and you still can’t hear. After walking out of several plays in frustration, she did some research.
In an article in the Hearing Health Foundation’s Summer 2024 newsletter, Kaneb recounts how one evening tears and anger gave way to enlightenment. When she decided to speak up and ask for assistance, she got the usual runaround: “Go to the concession stand! Go ask an usher! What are you talking about?” Finally, several ushers held a conference. She recounts:
Finally one emerges who has worked there long enough to know what the heck I am talking about. She politely leads me to a small closet behind the concession stand. Once there, she rummages around in a box. Then she hands me a wallet-sized FM receiver and headphones in exchange for my driver's license. This receiver is like a handheld radio. I can adjust the volume and plug headphones, a neckloop or a remote mic into the headphone jack to help me hear the show better.
Finally I settle into my seat. I try to turn the volume dial from zero then notice it is already at 5. The little light that should turn red remains dark. This unit has a dead battery. It's likely nobody has looked at it since its last use.
The missing link: advocacy
Then something unexpected happens. My heightened emotions give way to reason. It becomes clear that the theater staffers are simply not aware of my experience. Nobody has painted a picture of hearing loss for them or given them much practice with this equipment. I realize that we need to speak up. How can I expect anyone to meet my needs if I haven't told them about it? This requires more hearing advocacy in public places.
We should politely share our experience with the people who work in public venues. Even more importantly, we must advocate to the owners and managers of these places. We can help them understand how important this system is. They put it in because the law said they must. They may not know how grateful people with hearing loss are to enjoy a show as much as everyone else.
Future meetings
Saturday, August 3
Drinks at Downhill Brewery, 9672 E Arapahoe Rd, Greenwood Village, CO 80112 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 17
Annual picnic, Mir Park, 580 S Elm St, Glendale, CO 80246, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your own lunch, friends, families, and dogs.
Looking for comments
With this Substack format, readers can reply to every issue by clicking on the “Comment” button at the bottom of the screen. Some folks like to respond directly by email, which is fine, but by posting a comment, you can be sure all other readers will be able to see it, and offer their own views. Even people who are unable to attend monthly meetings will then have a chance to be part of the discussion. Try it, and I’ll be checking regularly to see how you think we’re doing.
Paula DeJohn, editor
New Denver Chapter member Jessica Marler enjoys the Nepal exhibit at the Aurora History Museum. Jessica works in construction as a commercial plumber, and says her coworkers help her manage her hearing loss in that loud environment.