Med-El and Van Gogh

Not that those two are a proper pair, but I was recently at Med-El's Care Center in Nieuwegein (by Utrecht) and also at the (offices of) the Van Gogh Museum. Both were interesting so I'll write a bit about them.

In my mind's eye, I had thought that Med-El's Care Center (hate spelling it like that but it's how they do it) would just be a small shop, like a HA shop. Instead it comprised a number of offices and reception rooms on the ground floor of a large building, very accessible from the snel-tram stop. It was their 'open day' and there was to be a presentation by someone from Comfort Audio about 'solo apparatuur' and that seemed handy to me as I do already have wireless mics from them that I had been using at Tai Chi lessons (to great advantage) but couldn't seem to connect them to the computer. They're been around for years as I used them in the office a hundred years ago when I had an employer so really I just thought they are out of date but useful enough. I've been stuck with just the Oticon (HA) streamer on just one ear since I got the CI so had questions aplenty.

First we had the obligatory cuppa and a biscuit and chatting about things (and I finally met someone else wearing a Rondo!) then we ('bout 10-12 of us) were given the totally relaxed, no pressure, spiel about all things Comfort Audio. We were given the latest model to try out during the presentation but I couldn't hear anything via the one I had so that was a bit worrisome. I wouldn't want to  (eventually) upgrade if I'm not going to be able to hear via it. As per, upon return home, it transpired that the volume just needed adjusting :)

So that was embarrassing! AND it turns out I had the necessary cable for my 'Stratego' to laptop all along! In the pile I took with me too :) So, while it IS still a bit of a rigmarol as I now have two things around my neck when using Skype or listening to music, whatever, via the laptop... the streamer for the HA, the Comfort Contego for the CI... the sound is so much improved I can live with it :) It's not exactly spontaneous but that too, I can live with. For now anyway.

Thanks to Mel-El staff for the lovely reception. One girl I met turned out to be the very one I'd emailed back and forth about the WaterWear so we were like old pals already. Nice friendly folks, as was the gentleman from Comfort, whom I think I'd met before too. It gets all very incestuous among CI clubs and you do end up meeting the same folks (of course) and seeing the same faces. My biggest problem is, I'm totally useless at names, and to be honest, faces aren't great either. I'm usually inwardly saying 'I KNOW this person... don't I... or do I?' Caroline from Med-El, believe me when I say that it was mostly due to our similar names that I remembered you hahaha.
Anyway, all worth the 'effort' to pay a visit.

The thing with the van Gogh (vG) was, an email posting around - 'looking for folks to take part' in a survey, especially formulated for the museum in Amsterdam to better accommodate HoH and deaf visitors. Having been a fan of Vincent since my late teens, I signed up immediately and was given a date and time to come and take part. It was held in their offices on the Stadhouderskade in Amsterdam, so not actually at the museum. I never knew there was such a place. Really lovely offices, with modern furniture upholstered in material covered in van Gogh's paintings. So cool! And display cabinets full of stuff probably to be found in the museum's shop, so all things vG :)

There were only three of us, one of four groups 'interviewed' on different dates and times. I was showing off my Rondo with my vG stickers, which of course went down well, given the situation. The interviewer was a lovely (deaf) person hired by the vG to do a scientific survey of the needs of the deaf and HoH visitors to their museum. Very commendable, no?

We all know about ramps and disabled access, but being deaf is also a (hidden) disability that would be much less of a hindrance if public buildings (at the LEAST) took a bit of notice and provided cover. Much like the cover being given during the interview as there was a sign interpreter and a subtitle typing interpreter with a big and small screen (for just us three! amazing!). No real idea any more of what I said, or whether I contributed anything of any use to anyone, but we were richly rewarded for our 'trouble'. Fares refunded, two free entrance tickets to the vG and a gift coupon for €15! Above and beyond really, but I didn't say no :)

Public places are supposed to provide (in NL at least) audio loops when required. These are more often than not, inoperable, when requested IF they're even present. Batteries dead, not switched on, or switched on but not loud enough). I found out that it's not just me that is disappointed by the lack of provision (it's LAW after all) and that it's too often the case that we (the deaf and HoH) are not thought of at all. The fact that the vG is actively pursuing said problem is pretty damned cool IMO. Audio loops are of course no use to the deaf so the theater here using computer tablets with simultaneous sub-titles is also to be hugely commended. There are loads of little things that needn't even be expensive to implement that would have us deafies attending more museums and theatres (at least, potentially). Even just a normal film! I'm lucky in that I automatically have (Dutch) subtitles to English films in the cinema here. But the normal Dutch film is no use to me (or your bonafide Dutch person) as it's not sub-titled. Logical enough I suppose - but they could maybe have separate cinemas for that, like they do (here) with 'original English version' and 'Dutch speaking version'. There are ways and means.

I did discover, from the subtitling interpreter, although I did kinda know it already, that we (HoH/deaf) are covered to hire in one of their ilk for any occasion... office conference, school situations, even a party if that's what you want, and it includes museum visits too! Bloomin' fantastic really. Personally I'd be a bit reluctant unless it was a really big occasion and I didn't want to miss anything said, but the interpreter assured us that we should just ignore their presence. Easier said than done but they're even working on a mobile bit of apparatus so they can lug their keyboard around too. Sort of like what the cigarette girl at the cinema used to have in front of her :)  Having just placed that link I now know they're called STTR's  in English :) formally known as court reporters. Aha!

One of these days I might just call upon one of them. It's a cool thing to see actually and because of course not everyone (including me) reads sign language, they are a terrific service. I would never be able to follow things in larger groups without one of them, despite my fabby CI and really appreciate them being arranged at all CI folks' gatherings. Funnily enough, the utility is not nearly widely enough used and they always look for ways to promote their hiring. They should perhaps be careful what they wish for because if word really does get out, there will be a run on them and a corresponding lack of qualified individuals :)

So once more, my CI got me out and about and doin' my bit too.