ACCOMMODATING DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PERSONS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS IN MASSACHUSETTS (ABRIDGMENT)

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction commissioned this study because no definitive information exists to form transit policy for the hearing impaired. The study notes the types of problems experienced by the hearing impaired, who frequently lack access to oral communication when using bus, subway, and airplane transportation. The results are missed connections, significant delays, and increased risk in emergencies. Transportation personnel who are not prepared to communicate with the hearing impaired and inaccurate destination information compound the problem. Transportation officials have concentrated on the needs of the mobility and vision impaired. This study suggests, however, that there is rough parity in size among the hearing-, vision-, and mobility-impaired populations. Planners should take account of the needs of the hearing impaired as well as these other populations. Several technologies and methods exist to lessen the problems faced by the hearing impaired. These vary in cost and applicability in transportation settings. In the short term, however, officials can implement low-cost improvements such as installation of amplified telphones and telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs), provision of accurate route schedules, and use of note slips on buses. In the long term, we suggest installation of electronic readerboards, visual emergency alarms, and touch screen video monitors and use of sensitivity training sessions.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1209/1209-002.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=ACCOMMODATING+DEAF+AND+HARD-OF-HEARING+PERSONS+ON+PUBLIC+TRANSPORTATION+SYSTEMS+IN+MASSACHUSETTS+(ABRIDGMENT)&author=G.+Bettger&author=T.+Pearson&publication_year=1989
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1209, Transit Administration and Planning Research. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Bettger, Gary R
  • Pearson, Timothy J
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 16-18
• Monograph Title: Transit administration and planning research
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1209
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation; Bus transportation; Deafness; Hearing impaired persons; Improvements; Needs assessment; Public transit; Subways; Time duration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Long term; Short term; User needs
• Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491221
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309048052
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 28 1990 12:00AM