JDA_Magazine_PaperTurn_Sept 2025 - Flipbook - Page 45
There are many ways to improve the experiences of
people with hearing loss and most of these changes
are easily achievable and inexpensive, or cost
nothing — from learning to communicate e昀昀ectively
with people living with hearing loss, to making
minor adjustments to the environment, to reviewing
policies and procedures across the organisation.
We recommend that helpdesks and 昀椀rst points of
contact o昀昀er alternatives to phone calls if the person
with hearing loss struggles to hear on the phone.
We are also encouraging organisations we work with
to create a comfortable environment for people who
may have hearing loss — with as little background
noise as possible, good lighting, soft furnishings and
carpets to create good acoustics.
With our help, Jewish communal organisations will
have the tools to incorporate into their standard
procedures asking service users what hearing
needs they have and how they would prefer to
communicate.
We are keen to encourage organisations to take
responsibility and open up the conversation,
approaching it from a knowledgeable perspective
— so that people start to feel that they are in a
safe space, and are no longer embarrassed to
admit to hearing loss, because they know their
needs will be understood and met. These are the
steps that will help to break the stigma around
hearing loss in the Jewish community.
Looking at every level of the organisation, our
expert training and guidance will enable them
to enhance their service and ensure they meet
accessibility standards with understanding
and compassion— so that Jewish people with
hearing loss are able to access the welfare
and support services they need and be more
included in synagogue, work and family life.
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