Hello!

 I am excited to serve ALDA this year as President, and I would like to wish you a wonderful and successful New Year on behalf of the ALDA Board of Directors. I am looking forward to building upon my predecessors’ efforts to establish a full agenda for 2010. We braced last year’s economic climate, and continue to have a hard-working Board that is dedicated to ALDA’s success in meeting our members’ needs. We are setting up committees to promote our goals of outreach, advocacy, and support for late-deafened adults.

 Please feel free to email the Board at < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it > for information on how we may be of help to you, and how you may volunteer for ALDA. There is truly no greater reward than being part of a team working for the common goal of improving the lives of people with hearing loss.

 It is my pleasure to inform you that ALDAcon 2010, hosted by the ALDA Board of Directors, will take place this year in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept 1-5th, 2010 under the gaze of the famous Pike’s Peak. Our planning team will provide a more in-depth announcement, so stay tuned!

 Representing ALDA and DCARA, I attended the appellate hearing in the case of the State of Arizona vs. Harkins Amusement Enterprises at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. CART and an interpreter were provided, which amply demonstrated how accessibility accommodations do not disturb other people but are essential to those of us who depend on them. The case was brought against Harkins Amusement because they did not believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act required them to provide sensory auxiliary equipment, such as open or closed captioning for their movies. The State of Arizona countered that the law requires movie theaters to provide auxiliary aids and services to people with sensory disabilities.

 In my opinion the hearing went very well. Although it’s unusual for any court, especially an appeals court, to signal how they might rule, the three judge panel made it plain that Harkins’s case was weak and that it was in their interest to settle rather than have the court rule.

 I look forward to working with all of you. Please come say hello at ALDAcon, and write me anytime. I look forward to hearing from you – to chat, discuss ways ALDA can serve you better, and to find avenues to reach out to late-deafened adults who do not know of us as yet.

 If you are not a member, please join us, or support us by making a donation of any amount.

Linda Drattell

President