Accommodations

As a hard of hearing person who has always lived in the hearing world, I rely on things being adapted and accommodations to be made for me, but my personality is not one that makes demands or even for that matter expects or assumes that everyone will instantly comply.  I never quite learned how to advocate for myself and I’ve spent plenty of time sitting in garbled silence just pretending I get it. So what are some accommodations that I use on a regular basis? Keep in mind, I’m a stay a home mom and I, aside from my small ETSY shop, I don’t work outside of the home. Naturally, I have needs than someone who may work full-time, outside of the home.
Technology:
•Text Messaging-I send thousands of texts
•The Iphone transcribing function for voicemails, even if it’s not 100% accurate
•Facebook/Facebook Messenger
•Email
•Closed Captioning
•Vibrate/flashing light modes for text and phone call alerts
• Baby Monitors with lights (when I had infants)
•Skype for ASL classes
•Video chatting in general so I can lipread during a conversation
•My Fitbit’s vibrating alarm settings
•Anything that I can use to electronically navigate my life to avoid having to try to call someone. (Dr’s patient portal is a big one)
•Although I haven’t used it yet, I’m glad that many areas now allow you to text 9-1-1
•My church as a headphone set that hooks up to the PA system somehow so I’m able to hear during our worship services

Somethings I’d love to have in my home:
•a RING doorbell
•flashing lights for the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
•a Sonic Boom Alarm for my daughter 😉

If  you’re D/deaf or hard of hearing, what kinds of things do you use everyday to help you?  If you’re hearing, do any of these surprise you?

Hears to Hoping,
Betty Jo