USE OF TECHNOLOGY

As a gospel doctrine teacher, I fax my lessons prior to teaching each week to a sister in our ward who is hearing-impaired. Not only does this ensure I am prepared every week, but it also enables me to communicate with this sister until I am able to learn sign language.

This act helps me to keep in mind the importance of including her in our lessons. She brings to Church the fax I sent, which enables her to follow the lessons.

We are also fortunate in our ward to have people who can sign. As teachers in the Church, we are encouraged to look for ways to involve all members in the class. Making use of technology — such as faxes and e-mails — is one way to communicate with the hearing-impaired. — Jacqueline Stone, London, England

CHURCH IS A PLEASURE

The Comtek receivers used in Church buildings are a big help to the hearing-impaired. You can sit anywhere in the chapel and hear very well with them. The bishopric orders the receivers and someone who understands the sound system operates the receivers.

The next most important help to the hearing-impaired is the portable podium microphone system for use in Sunday School, Relief Society and other activities. These can be obtained from Church distribution. The first ward to use our building on Sunday morning unlocks the cabinet where the podium microphone is stored and sets it up on a table in the Relief Society room. The last ward locks it up again, and all the leaders have keys to the cabinet.

I could not hear in any of my meetings until I was given a Comtek receiver and the podium was put in use. Going to Church is a pleasure now, and I know many people are helped with these systems.

Every time I go to the temple, I use a translator receiver just as I use the receiver in Church. I just use it in my own language, and I hear exceptionally well.

The hearing-impaired need the help of the hearing people in their wards to bring about needed changes. I am grateful to those in my ward and stake who listened to my petitions for help when I could not hear. — Brenda Eldredge, Mesa, Ariz.

SIGNED A SONG A WEEK

When we lived in Arvada, Colo., there was a hearing-impaired girl in our Primary. I was the music leader. Each month I would teach the children a song in sign language. Children love to sign and seem to learn songs faster with signing.

After a while, the children knew enough songs in sign language that we could sign at least one song a week, and she could, too. — Yvonne Mortensen, Lancaster, Calif.

PRAYED ABOUT HIM

My 8-year-old had spinal meningitis when he was 3. As a result, he is severe to profoundly hearing-impaired in both ears.

Our Primary president was not sure how to teach Ian. She had prayed about him and asked for guidance. The answer came in the form of a new member whose wife was also hearing-impaired. He accepted a calling of being Ian's Primary teacher. This has helped in Primary. — Karen Curtis, Elizabethtown, Ky.

VISUAL AIDS

• Help them with notes. We could help them understand by writing to them on a notebook.

• Use visual aids. We could use a picture or chart in our lessons.

• Treat them like you would others in the Church.

In our branch, there is a sister who cannot hear very well, but she is involved in every activity. — Kiw Yih Min, Sabah, Malaysia

WORK TOGETHER

The following may help:

• Plan and prepare so they can be involved.

• Provide good lighting and sight for those reading lips.

• Use plain backgrounds against which to sign.

• Learn sign language and the culture of the hearing-impaired.

It is important we all work together. — Anne Webster, Bingham, Scotland

REPEAT CLASS COMMENTS

I sit up close to the front of a class so I can follow what the teacher says. Occasionally, I can hear the comments from the class members, however, if the teacher repeats the comments the class members make, I can follow better.

Dividing in groups and game playing is very awkward for a person who can't hear. I am an intelligent person; however, I do get mixed up and confused sometimes because I haven't heard everything. — Gertrude Keding, Salt Lake City, Utah