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email a copy to your boss to confirm your understanding of the assignment. Keep a
file of those assignments and your boss’ confirmation that you are on the right track.
Meetings. Request the agenda in advance and meeting summaries or notes after
the event. Explain to your boss that this will not only help you keep up to speed, but
if made available to all employees, could help other employees as well.
CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation). CART provides virtually
instant translation of the spoken word to text. A CART writer transcribes every word
that is spoken and displays it on a laptop, tablet, smart phone, or if there are several
people who need to see the CART a screen using an LCD projector or large screen
television can be used. A transcript of the meeting can be saved to a disk or flash
drive if needed. CART is particularly helpful in large meetings where an Assistive
Listening System might not work well. CART services might be new to your boss.
Explain that not only will you benefit, but if the transcript is requested, it can be
used to keep a record of the meeting for future reference and/or the minutes of the
meeting. If there is a concern about privacy, explain that like a court reporter, the
CART writer’s code of ethics demands confidentiality.
Emergency notification systems. Strobe lights on fire alarms, vibrating pagers, pop-
ups on computer screens, low or multiple frequency alarms, or other emergency
assistive technology should be in place soon after you take the job. In an emergency,
you do not want to be left behind. If your boss suggests a “buddy system,” let her
know that the buddy system is a great back-up, but cannot be relied upon as the
sole source of emergency notification for the worker with hearing loss: the
responsible co-worker could be traveling or out sick at the time of the emergency.
You need a system that is as reliable as the auditory system is for those workers who
can hear it, and that provides the alarm at virtually the same time for all.
Training programs. To keep up with changes in your field, you might need to take
classes that give you cutting-edge information. Most workplaces encourage
employees to take such classes, so do take advantage of time off if it’s offered. Be
sure to request accommodations for classes well in advance.
In-service training. Request accommodations as needed for all in-service training,
again well in advance so that there is time to ensure the requested accommodations
are in place in time for the training.
Reassignment to a vacant position. If you find your job is not a good fit because of
your hearing loss, even with accommodations, ask for reassignment. If, for example,
you work as a salesperson in a busy store and develop Ménière’s disease which can