Walk4Hearing Proceeds Fund Live Theatre Accessibility

February 2010

Editor: Here's an idea for how your HLAA chapter might want to use Walk4Hearing Funds - to provide captions for a live theater performance! This story originally appeared in the online newspaper "The Chatanoogan" (http://www.chattanoogan.com/), and is reprinted with their kind permission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The captioned premiere of Our Town will be at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre on Thursday at 7 p.m. This is the first theatre in the tri-state area to offer captioning on an electronic captioning board designed for live theatre use and the CTC is expecting visitors from the greater Chattanooga area, North Georgia counties and Atlanta.

In 2009, Chattanooga became the first city in Tennessee to host Walk4Hearing, a national Hearing Loss Association of America fundraiser and awareness building program initiated in 2006. More than 200 walkers and volunteers participated in the inaugural walk and more than $24,000 was donated. The national office of HLAA receives 50 percent of Walk income while the remaining 50 percent goes to the sponsoring chapter. A total of nine alliances shared in the chapter income.

Funds raised by alliances (who are non-profit entities) are used to benefit people with hearing loss. Alliance organizations earn 35 percent of money they raised.

Following the success of the first Walk4Hearing, the Chattanooga chapter voted to use the funds to benefit people with hearing loss in meaningful ways. Replacing the chapters aging FM loop system was the first order of business, but the second purchase was a surprise in many ways and considered a community gift. The final plan included providing two registration scholarships to new chapter members who want to attend the annual HLAA convention. The convention will take place June 17-21 in Milwaukee, Wi.

The membership approved spending $4,500 to purchase an electronic captioning board. The 48x24 inch board sits quietly to the front side of the CTC stage displaying three rows of six-inch tall letters readable by its hard of hearing and deaf patrons who can now enjoy live theatre, and more importantly understand what is being said.

George Quick, CTC producing director, was quick to respond to Linda Hershey, HLAA member and captioner, following the initial conversation about this equipment and subsequent news that purchase had been approved by the membership. "This means a great deal to us and to the entire Chattanooga Community," said Mr. Quick.

Tickets for "Our Town" are available at the box office, on the website or by telephone. Visit http://www.theatrecentre.com/ online, call 267-8534 or stop by 400 River St. across from Coolidge Park in downtown Chattanooga. Center row seating is $18 and side seating is $10.

The 2010 Walk4Hearing is set for May 15 at Chattanooga State and adjoining Riverwalk beginning with a check-in at 9 a.m., while the walk begins at 10 a.m., opened by City of Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield.

With a goal of $30,000 in mind, the Chattanooga Walk4Hearing is well on its way to success. Confirmed sponsors include Caption Associates, LLC; Chattanooga State Community College, Chattem, Inc.; Mediating Issues; Friend of HLAA; Better Hearing Center, Dayton; Chattanooga Coca-Cola Co.; Daniels, Riggar & Associates and Greenlife Grocery. Additional sponsors are welcome. Contact Richard Twitchell at 894-3138 or email chairperson Betty Proctor at baproctor1@comcast.net to receive a sponsorship opportunity form.