News
Spotlight on International Week of the Deaf
As the International Week of the Deaf comes to a close, that doesn’t mean the celebration ends. Deaf people continue to make huge strides in the community - ones that deserve to be acknowledged. But we can’t do it alone. Anyone can be an ally. In this blog, we look at what it means to be an ally and how we can continue to understand and celebrate differences in our day-to-day lives.
Read moreThe Americans with Disabilities Act: Where It’s Been, Where It’s Going
For more than 30 years, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has ensured increased access to housing, telecommunications, education and much more for individuals with qualifying disabilities. The landmark civil rights legislation—which has enjoyed broad bipartisan support since its earliest days—prevents discrimination based on an array of conditions. The law represents an important turning point in the process of empowering individuals who have disabilities to more fully participate in day-to-day American life.
Read moreA Guide to Signs You Should Know for the Workplace
Whether you find yourself interacting with a coworker who relies on sign language to communicate or a business client or customer who is deaf or hard of hearing, it’s important to have a basic understanding of some of the most common signs you might encounter in a workplace setting.
Read moreHow to Use Relay Conference Captioning Step-by-Step
If you’ve used Relay services, you know the impact it can have on your everyday life—from connecting with loved ones, to catching up with friends, to enabling lines of communication for your parents or deaf or hard-of-hearing family members. But did you know Relay South Dakota’s services go beyond the personal?
Read moreMobile Phone Accessibility Features
Technology impacts communities in different ways. For the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, assistive technology has made large leaps in recent years. Everything from digital assistants to live captioning has helped people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate. Ever since mobile devices and internet-based technologies have become essential parts of our daily lives, accessibility has been a must. With technology improving by the day, there might be some applications that you should be aware of that slip through the cracks.
Read moreStay Connected at No-Cost: Relay Equipment Program
A mandated nationwide system of telecommunication relay service has assisted people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairments ever since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was established. Over the years, it’s helped families, friends, coworkers and acquaintances stay connected.
Read moreHolidays with the Hard of Hearing: 3 Communication Tips
The holidays are a great time to celebrate with friends and family. There’s plenty of joy to spread, food to eat and games to play. During this time of year, everyone deserves to be in on the fun. But those with hearing loss may be subject to seclusion during this festive time. This year has been isolating – don’t let “the most wonderful time of the year” be isolating, too. That’s why we came up with this list to help ensure the holidays are jolly for everyone.
Read moreWhat You Can Do to Make the Holidays Bright for those with Hearing Loss
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays, isn’t it? Celebration calls for gatherings of groups of people – and as 2020 has taught us, sometimes this isn’t always in person, but rather via a phone call or family video chat. Ironically, it’s often these large, happy gatherings that make certain people feel terribly isolated. When someone struggles to hear, conversations drain away the festive feeling.
Read moreStay Connected with CapTel
Effective communication can strengthen family bonds, rekindle old friendships and build trust. Without the right tools, though, communication can be hindered. If you or someone you love has difficulty hearing on the phone, Relay South Dakota can help. CapTel phones allow users the ability to listen and read captions of everything spoken during telephone conversations.
Read moreHow to Be an Ally for the Deaf Community
Do you consider yourself a Deaf Ally? There are many different definitions of an ally, just like there are many ways to help promote equality. For this discussion, the most important definition of an ally is someone who is united with the deaf community to promote equality. Being an ally means so much more than simple consideration for the deaf community. Action and accountability are key to help facilitate support.
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