Fred:
Thank you for responding. I am not sure why we do so many things the
hard way and hope to be able to change some of that. I have never
complained about our system in terms of being hearing impaired. I
never felt a need to since I realized that our system was bad at the
source and TV ears type technology wasn't going to help.
If I get on the Board I hope to make sure the problem is solved once
and for all and know whete to look for guidance. If I don't get
elected I will consider bringing an ADA complaint so that we can
accomplish the same thing.
We don't need law suits or even federal law to solve our problems
just a little common sense. You and Silver had a system installed
which depended upon reasonable use. We have not always had
reasonable users. I think the upgrade you talk about can get us to
the latest technology and real leadership at the Board/Administration
level can keep us there.
Don Gelbman
--- In
SC-SCOOP@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Schaefer" <s708783@...> wrote:
>
> Gentlemen FYI: Thank you for your interest in the Desert Vista
sound system.
> The system as installed is fine, it does need upgrading. When
installed several
> years ago, manuals and procedures were provided and personnel given
instructions.
> It is obvious there was no follow-up or maintenance performed. The
members
> of the board need instruction on use as members leave and new
replace them.
> Specific recommendations are available. As usual, this matter has
not been
> handled well.
>
> As to current FCC and ADA regulations: FCC has changed frequency
allocations
> on wireless equipment. I do not know whether we are in compliance.
Fines are
> possible if we are not. ADA regulations require that a yearly
report is
> required on sound levels. There is not, to my knowledge, any
requirement as
> to the quality of the sound. There is a requirement that equipment
must
> be available to the hearing impaired. This consists of a pocket
sized receiver
> and ear piece. This is a separate wireless system. The input to
this system
> is from the main sound system. If the sound source is poor, the
hearing
> impaired system will be equally unsatisfactory. This information
applies
> to all Association Sound Systems,
>
> As always, I am available,
> Fred Schaefer
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: drgtrustpl
> To:
SC-SCOOP@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:11 PM
> Subject: [SC-SCOOP] Re: COMMUNICATIONS AT SCSCAI BOARD MEETINGS
>
>
> Bernie:
> As far as I know Mr. Schaefer has not been asked for anything. I
> talked to him several years ago when he was on the Board and
several
> times lately. What you and he did years ago was probably the
state
> of the art but ADA has changed a lot of things. Fast forward.
>
> Someone in the Association bought a system that is similar to TV
ears
> which many of us are familiar with. Why they didn't also buy the
> services the ADA approved company provide for a system upgrade is
not
> known. We evidently just bought a TV ears type system for the
> hearing impaired.
>
> What I do know is that Mr. Schaefer and Beers both have churches
that
> have great sound. As far as I kow it has nothing to do with TV
ears
> type technology. The fact that any system in accordance with ADA
> rules that is public (like theaters etc.) must be compatible with
TV
> ears technology. Therefore in those days you would be able to use
> you TV ears in any theater. Since my earlier review TV ears
changed
> the frequency they use. Unless you have a compatible frequency
you
> can't use the home TV ears in a theater.
> Don Gelbman
>
> --- In
SC-SCOOP@yahoogroups.com, Bernard Silver <silverinvegas@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Don Gelbman.
> >
> > Yes indeed, communications are important.
> >
> > For the benefit of our Board members and the Executive Director
> particularly, I would like to address a problem relating to the
> components of the communication system that they use at the Board
> meetings.
> >
> > I had the privilege several years ago working as an assistant
to
> Fred Schaefer who is a graduate Electrical & Mechanical engineer
in
> the research necessary to select the existing system. I must
> emphasize that what I'm referring to is the individual units that
the
> Directors and staff have on their tables plus the two units that
are
> used by the members to ask questions. I am excluding the overhead
> wiring and speakers and any amplifiers or controls other that the
one
> unit that is usually in front of the Chairman.
> >
> > These units are used in many locations by commercial companies
> and municipalities and have been found to be very satisfactory
when
> used correctly. The individual units have a switch and a light
> showing when the user is transmitting and the sound is
distributed to
> all of the interconnected identical units so that the speaker
within
> is actuated. It is important to turn OFF the switch and the light
> when not transmitting.
> >
> > The microphone, with the added foam rubber hood is very
sensitive
> and works well when it is about 3 finger widths from the speakers
> mouth when talking (transmitting).
> >
> > The microphone on the small diameter flexible cable attached to
> the base unit is relatively fragile, as is its connector into the
> base, and I have personally reinforced several of them at the top
end
> adjacent to the microphone because of damage caused by excessive
> manipulation.
> >
> > When used correctly, the microphone should not be manipulated --
> the entire base should be moved to the one who is talking without
> bending the flexible cable.
> >
> > When purchased originally, these units came with a large soft
> padded on the inside aluminum case for storage and moving. If
used
> this would enhance the integrity and reliability of these units.
> >
> > If there are any questions of a technical nature, I suggest
that
> they be addressed to Fred Schaefer who has been servicing the
sound
> sound system for his church for many years and is very competent
in
> this area. From experience, I should add that addressed politely,
> Fred works for free and is as capable in this field as any
> professional.
> > If there are any flexible cables that need reinforcing, my
> services are also readily available under similar circumstances.
> >
> > In my opinion, it would be appropriate, and prudent, for the
> Executive Director to issue either a copy of this memo, or a
summary
> of it to all users of this equipment. This has been an ongoing
> problem and needs to be addressed continuously as Board members
and
> staff are changed.
> >
> > Bernard Silver
> >
> > =============================================
> >
> >
> > DON GELBMAN <drgtrustpl@> wrote:
> > A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE FIXED NOW
> >
> > I was happy to learn that Mr. Post had done something about the
> poor
> > sound system we have. The first chance I got to use the new
system
> was
> > at the Tuesday Board meeting. Unfortunately it wasn't working
so I
> > don't know how good it may be in solving our communications
problem
> at
> > the Board meetings.
> >
> > Mr. Post said he was going to be meeting with the supplier of
the
> new
> > system and I hope he will let us know how it turned out.
> >
> > There are not too many corporations involved with "Assisted
> Listening
> > Systems" that specialize in the American Disabilities Act
> requirements.
> > The company Mr. Post is dealing with is one of those companies.
If
> > you check out the internet you find that they all talk about
church
> > groups. Mr. Beers and Mr. Schaeffer have both said that their
> churches
> > have a great sound system regardless of the ADA type aides.
That
> tells
> > me that we may be trying to fix a leak in the dam with chewing
gum.
> >
> > Let's hope whatever gets done finally solves a long standing
very
> > unfortunate communications problem. Any resident should and
must be
> > able to attend the Community meetings on an equal basis.
> > Don Gelbman
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bernard Silver
> >
>
