Burlington Seniors’ Centre Hearing Loops & Accessibility Improvements
*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.
Burlington, Ont. — May 9, 2022 — The Burlington Seniors’ Centre (2285 New St.) has completed renovations which focused on accessibility enhancements at the customer service area, offices and within other key community areas.The renovations at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre included:
- Improving ease of access to customer service areas and office space for both customers and staff using mobility devices;
- Improving foyer space to reduce congestion as visitors with mobility aids move through the Bistro Lounge and enter and exit the Centre;
- Creating an accessible outdoor space for future accessible raised bed gardens and seating;
- Improving lighting and contrast at the customer service area for those with low-vision previously affected by glare from overhead sources;
- Hearing loops installation; and
- Reducing barriers in programs and at service counters for those with hearing loss.
Information SessionResidents of all ages are invited to attend an in-person information session to learn about the work done to support the age-friendly and inclusive accessibility features. Participants will also hear from City and Canadian Hard of Hearing Association representatives. The public is welcome to participate and ask questions in the session.Date: May 16, 2022Time: 11 a.m. to noonLocation: Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New St., BurlingtonHearing LoopsThe City has installed Hearing Loops systems in many of the Burlington Seniors’ Centre community rooms, and also at Customer Service desks located at the Seniors’ Centre, and Haber, Tansley Woods and Brant Hills Community Centres, and Mountainside Recreation Centre.Hearing Loops transmit sound directly from the microphone being used at the sound source to a listener’s telecoil-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implant and/or remote hearing loops receiver, for improved clarity and understanding. Visitors and participants who would like to use a Hearing Loops receiver but who do not wear hearing devices, can bring their own headphones to activities in Hearing Loops enabled rooms, borrow a receiver from their instructor, and will be able to hear program instructions and conversations more clearly.Funding for this project came from the City of Burlington and from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility Inclusive Communities Grant. Hearing Assistive Technology Group who are in partnership with Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA), provided all technology assessment and installation support with CHHA acting as a key stakeholder consulting partner in the process. City staff worked to ensure customer needs were considered with additional engagement with staff who work directly with visitors and participants in these facilities.For more information about the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and programming, visit burlington.ca/adult
"Remaining socially active and connected in our community has far-reaching benefits. Removing barriers to recreation services so that people can move, see and hear more easily is very important to the City of Burlington." -- Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community & Culture, City of Burlington
Links and Resources:
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist