7-9 pm
Davenport University
W.A. Lettinga Campus
Grand Rapids MI 49512
November Program - FREE
Bill Barkeley and
Assistive listening devices for the deaf & hard of hearing
Wednesday, November 9
7 - 8:30pm
Davenport University
W.A. Lettinga Campus
6191 Kraft Avenue S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Robert W. Sneden Center Auditorium
How does a deaf/blind motivational speaker build on his success of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and leading a group of students (with varying levels of hearing abilities) through the Amazon Rainforest? He leads a group of 17 students of mixed hearing abilities down the Colorado River on a trip of a lifetime.
On Wednesday, November 9, the Hearing Loss Association – Grand Rapids Chapter invites the public to a special program on the Davenport University W.A. Lettinga Campus in the Robert W. Sneden Center Auditorium. They can meet Bill Barkeley, part motivational speaker, part story-teller – as he takes them on his journey where he worked together with the students and acoustic scientists to collect sound data for the National Park Service while discovering an entirely new way of looking at sound as a precious resource and hearing as a cherished sense.The team rafted the Colorado River, hiked slot canyons and learned about the interplay between human beings, wildlife and the rugged Southwest landscape through the world of sound.
Post-trip, the student ambassadors will launch an online campaign to educate the public about hearing and hearing loss based on what they learned, including a unique sound-themed podcast to be used as a learning tool by the National Park Service.
Barkeley is one of approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. with Usher’s Syndrome – the leading cause of deaf-blindness. However, Barkeley decided long ago that he would live life to its fullest and remind others of their potential.
“The faces and intricacies of hearing loss are as varied as the topography of the Grand Canyon. To truly understand hearing loss is to realize that it affects people and our world in so many ways," said Barkeley. "On the expedition team, I was able to meet so many incredible, talented and passionate young adults that embrace their hearing loss. They see it as a part of their identity and are true leaders in trying to preserve and build on it as they transition to the larger world over time.”
Barkeley has often said that we we live in a wonderful time where despite challenges, many are able to take advantage of technology like never before. To help build on that premise, Joyce Thorson and Bobbi Taylor from HARC® Mercantile of Kalamazoo will present the latest technological breakthroughs in assistive devices for the deaf and hard of hearing.
This program is FREE to the public and will be equipped with the Hearing Loop System and will also feature an ASL Interpreter and Real-time Captioning. For more information, contact Juli Wiseman at (616) 855-2595 or juli@adshopetc.com.
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