EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUPS AND LISTSERVS ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Joining email newsgroups (also called listservs, chat groups, or discussion groups) is a good way to learn about assistive technology, as well as share experiences related to hearing loss. Anyone with email service can subscribe to these free newsgroups: you send an email "subscribe" message to the list, and you then receive a confirmation email asking if you want to be added to the list. You reply to this email, and you're in! You will receive information on how to post messages, rules and responsibilities, and how to quit the group. Some lists allow you to choose to receive individual email messages or digests of several messages (or postings) in one email. You can quit a newsgroup at any time-save or print the confirmation or welcome email for instructions.

While these "online communities" are a great way to learn about technology, they can also offer support and suggestions on coping strategies. Most lists have a regular group of more active members and a larger group of "lurkers"-people who read the email discussions and may contribute only occasionally. Oftentimes people new to the group will introduce themselves, explain their hearing losses, or ask questions of the group. Over time, you get to know some of the personalities of the group as the discussions range over many topics.

For example, in the last month, one group has had discussions about: getting emergency information before, during, and after Florida hurricanes (Are the news reports and alerts captioned? What happens when there is no power for the TV-how do you get your news?), which FM systems would work best for church services, so-called hearing-aid-compatible cell phones-and the ones that really do work best, how to request sign-language interpreters or CART captioning for college classes, an announcement of new captioned telephone (CapTel) service in Texas, a request from a hearing person on how to help a late-deafened visitor feel more comfortable, and lots of other topics. You may want to try out several different listservs to see which ones seem most useful or interesting to you.

Email Discussion Lists
Website: www.techconnections.org/resources/guides/Listservs.cfm

Listservs, Chat Groups, Newsgroups Related to Hearing Loss
This list of newsgroups is maintained by Beyond Hearing, which itself hosts one of the best newsgroups. On this page, you'll find a chart describing a wide variety of groups listed, with website addresses and instructions on how to subscribe.
Website: www.geocities.com/heartland/prairie/4727/bhllists.htm

Lists of Deafness-Related Bulletin Board, Email Lists, and News Groups
This web page describes several newsgroups, with links for subscribing. Also at this site: lists of resources on various topics: captioning, education and early intervention, ASL resources, health issues, Deaf-Blind resources, lists of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened organizations. (PAH MD is Promoting Awareness in Healthcare, Medical and Deaf)
Website: www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/stdnt/pahmd/pahmd3.htm

What Are All the "Lists" and How Do I Join?
The Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) offers five newsgroup (or discussion list) options: LDAchat  (general late-deafened issues; about 250 members worldwide, 25-50 emails per day), ALDAcon (conference planning), ALDA-ideas (membership forum), ALDAdvocacy (political awareness), ALDA Chapters-Groups (local and state groups).
Website: www.alda.org/lists.htm