Disability Discrimination Act - DDA Induction Loops

Since about June of last year ChurchPA has seen a dramatic upturn in the number of churches requesting audio equipment, and in particular induction loop hearing aid systems. Many churches specifically wanted to beat the deadline of October, and many more wanted to have a loop in very soon afterwards. Having geared up to cope with this demand, we were also expecting that levels would return to normal towards the end of 2004, but this has not been the case. If anything, ChurchPA has been installing more audio systems and induction loops than ever in the first quarter of 2005, with no signs that it is slowing at all.

We are concerned that a large number of churches do not seem to know of the October deadline, or their need to try to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Other churches have been very caught up with the building access requirements, and have not thought about the requirements of the deaf.

Because of the large number of churches which still require hearing aid loop equipment, ChurchPA is continuing to grow this part of our business, and we anticipate that churches will be needing to have loop systems installed for at least the rest of 2005 before the majority have got the equipment they need.

Churches have very specific requirements when loop systems are installed, such as the need to have cabling invisibly installed. Of course most church buildings were not designed with the Disability Discrimination Act in mind, and it takes our expertise and experience to be able to successfully and safely install induction loop systems in the wide variety of buildings that we meet. We are also very mindful not to damage buildings when installing cables, so it very important to choose a skilled installer when selecting someone to put in a loop.

We feel that it is very important that churches comply with the DDA, and we are able to meet the audio and induction loop requirements of churches very swiftly. Many churches do not have any audio equipment at all, and ChurchPA has found that the requirement to have a loop installed has prompted many churches to assess their wider audio requirements, often leading them to put in discreet speakers, CD players and other audio equipment adding to their worship. These devices also aid those who are not hard of hearing.

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