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AudioFetch Blog Header_ADA Compliance

ADA Compliance and Hearing Impairments: Everything Your Business Needs to Know

By | airports, Auction, Business, Casinos, Churches, Education, Government, Hearing Assistance, Hearing Loss, Stadiums, Theater, Tour Guides, Wireless Audio | No Comments

Every public business, organization, or venue should be thinking about how to improve accessibility at their establishment. Not only does it create a more welcoming environment for any and every-one that visits, but it can also be a legal requirement. 

Read on to learn more about how your business can (and must) improve accessibility through ADA compliance and other accessibility-friendly solutions.

What is ADA compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. It prohibits discrimination and seeks to improve accessibility at public government entities and privately-owned “places of public accommodation,” and requires employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities.

What are ADA guidelines for hearing impairments?

The ADA requirements for hearing impairments vary by platform, business type, or entity. For example, all airlines within and into the United States must accommodate hearing loss, according to the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA), which is typically accomplished by adding captions to airport TVs
 
Other public venues must provide assistive listening devices (ALDs) in each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space. These venues include movie theaters, concert and lecture halls, schools, museums, hospitals, stadiums and arenas, courtrooms, conference rooms, convention centers, nursing homes, community centers, and the list goes on and on. 
 
If your venue provides fixed seating (e.g., theater or stadium) for 50 or more people, ADA compliant receivers must be available for a percentage of seating capacity. Originally it was 4% of capacity, but that figure was updated in 2010 to give larger venues a bit of a break with a scaled quantity. Additionally, at least 25% or a minimum of two receivers must be hearing-aid compatible.

What is an ADA-compliant device?

ADA compliant products for hard-of-hearing individuals include assistive listening systems (ALS) or assistive listening devices (ALDs). An assistive listening system is defined as an amplification system utilizing transmitters, receivers, and coupling devices to bypass the acoustical space between a sound source and a listener by means of induction loop, radio frequency, infrared, direct-wired equipment or wireless connection.

Who enforces ADA compliance?

Several agencies play a role in enforcing or investigating ADA compliance claims, including The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Labor, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB).

What are the consequences of not following the ADA guidelines?

Failing to comply with ADA guidelines can result in both financial and reputation repercussions
 
On a purely financial basis, your business or organization can be fined by the federal government up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations, and state or local governments may tack on additional fines. Additionally, you open yourself up to lawsuits, personal injury claims, and legal or civil penalties from disabled individuals with legitimate complaints or ambulance-chasing entities looking to make an easy buck. 
 
From a reputation perspective, your brand name can also be dragged through the mud for non-compliance, which can also severely affect your business financially in both the short and long term.

What businesses or organizations are exempt from ADA compliance?

The ADA does not apply to places of worship, religious organizations/schools, private clubs, or any other venue historically excluded from federal civil rights laws. However, many of these organizations decide to provide some type of assistive listening option to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all of their members and patrons. 
 
Learn more about our assistive listening solutions for churches and houses of worship.

Does AudioFetch work with ADA-compliant receivers?

Yes, AudioFetch is compatible with ADA-compliant receivers. AudioFetch can be used to broadcast the audio source live, and then businesses can use a regulation ADA-compliant device to receive that audio. 
 
AudioFetch also integrates seamlessly with hearing aids; listeners connect the hearing aid to their smartphone via Bluetooth and are able to listen in real-time.

AudioFetch works with businesses and organizations of all sizes to help you create a more accessible and welcoming environment for your guests, customers, and employees. If you’re ready to get started, contact us or schedule an appointment to learn more and request a free demo. 

AudioFetch Blog Header - Football Season 2020

Celebrating the Start of Football Season

By | Sports Bars, Drive-in Audio, Restaurants, Stadiums | No Comments

The start of football season is always an exciting time of year. Not only does it mean action-packed viewing parties with loved ones, it also signifies the start of Fall and all the warm and cozy foods, clothing and environments we can look forward to. 

While fans may not be able to pack into most stadiums to watch the action this year, they can still enjoy the camaraderie (and competition!) with friends and family at sports bars and outdoor tailgating events. 

Our AudioFetch wireless audio streaming solutions are a great way to help fans hear the game while maintaining safe social distances in sports bars, restaurants, or even stadium parking lots!

Local Audio Over WiFi Solutions for Sports Bars & Restaurants 

Our AudioFetch local wireless audio streaming technology allows you to broadcast the game audio from muted TVs to your customers’ smartphones and tablets. Customers can hear the game from anywhere in the bar or patio by using the free AudioFetch app. This allows you to keep tables spaced farther apart and discourages gathering around a single TV. 

If you have multiple TVs airing different games or other programs on each, that’s no problem. AudioFetch can accommodate 16 audio inputs with a single unit, or up to 512 by using additional units! This allows you to attract more customers by offering several viewing options for fans (or something for those not-so-fans, who still want to go out with their friends!). 

Drive-In Audio Solution for Tailgating Parties

Stadiums may be sitting empty during live games, but the parking lots don’t have to be. Hosting tailgating viewing parties in stadium parking lots provides a safe viewing option for eager fans, and could help to recover some of the losses from in-stadium ticket sales. 

A big outdoor screen, our audio over WiFi streaming technology, and solid wireless internet is all you need to create this drive-in viewing experience. Fans can remain in their cars or truck beds, and listen to the game audio through their smartphone or tablet, or connected bluetooth speaker. 

To celebrate the start of football this year, and help businesses and organizations serve their guests in a more responsible way, we’re offering 35% off all AudioFetch sports bar and tailgating applications!* 

Use the discount code FOOTBALL2020 to purchase our portable FetchExpress online, or contact us to order AudioFetch Signature or any of our other sports bar audio solutions.

*35% off MSRP. Discount available from September 7, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. One discount per customer.

AudioFetch App Stadium Listening - Audio Over WiFi Streaming

How Assistive Listening Devices Improve Your Entertainment Experience

By | Hearing Assistance, Sports Bars, Stadiums, Theater, Tour Guides | No Comments

Have you ever had a bad entertainment experience because of a noisy environment? Assistive listening devices can help. AudioFetch listening assist technology gives users a more comfortable, enjoyable listening experience in loud venues. 

Our assistive listening devices broadcast audio over wifi and provide easy access to clear, live audio streaming in theaters, stadiums, sports bars, museums, or other crowded entertainment venues. 

With AudioFetch, you and your customers can enjoy a perfect entertainment experience without missing out due to environmental noise. You can also use assistive listening devices to improve the experience for people with impaired hearing.

Here’s how popular entertainment venues can use AudioFetch assistive listening devices:

1. Theaters

Assistive listening devices for theaters help patrons enjoy the arts without being disrupted by anyone who may be making noise around them. Users can connect to a direct audio live stream for perfect sound. Theaters like New York Live Arts also use AudioFetch to make their shows more accessible to the hearing impaired.

2. Stadiums

Nothing beats the feeling of cheering for your favorite team with a crowd of other fans, but the volume can make it difficult to hear the play-by-play. Adding assistive listening devices to a stadium sound system lets fans tune in to a direct live stream over wifi. The Halifax Thunderbirds use AudioFetch for stadium hearing assistance at their games to improve the experience for all fans.

3. Sports Bars

Fans who prefer to watch sports at their local bar face a different challenge than stadium listening. Along with ambient sound from conversations or music, many sports bars often play multiple games at once on different screens. Our sports bar audio solution allows customers to enjoy a drink and connect to a direct audio feed for their specific game so they don’t miss any action.

4. Museums & Cultural Exhibits

Museums and cultural exhibitors like NY See Tours use AudioFetch devices as tour guide amplifiers. Tourists can enjoy their guided experience with optimal sound because our wireless tour guide system make it easier than ever to connect to an audio broadcast. 

Use AudioFetch for the Best Entertainment Experience

When social gatherings and events resume in the coming weeks and months, you want to be ready with unique entertainment options for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about our listening assistive devices.

AudioFetch Blog - Wireless Audio Streaming

3 Ways AudioFetch Can Help You #HearMoreTogether

By | Hearing Assistance, Churches, Education, Sports Bars, Stadiums | No Comments

Sound brings communities together. At AudioFetch, our #HearMoreTogether campaign is designed to raise awareness about hearing loss and excessive noise. When you can’t hear what’s going on around you, it can feel very isolating. Our assistive listening devices promote a stronger sense of community by ensuring that everyone can hear more, together.

To help you #HearMoreTogether, we’re giving one lucky community a FetchExpress assistive listening device. To be entered to win, get your community together and post a photo or video on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #HearMoreTogether and answer this question in the caption: How would an AudioFetch system help you and your community #HearMoreTogether?

Need some inspiration? Here are 3 ways AudioFetch can help you and your community:

1. Hear Clearly at Houses of Worship

For many people, especially older adults, their primary community is a house of worship. Members come to be inspired by faith and often stay to socialize after the services. That’s why it’s so important for these spaces to be accessible.

If your church, synagogue, or mosque has an aging population that’s experiencing hearing loss, an assistive listening device will help you #HearMoreTogether. These devices also help houses of worship like Chet’s Creek Church use translation services to reach a wider audience.

2. Cut Through the Noise at Arenas and Sports Bars

Whether it’s an arena or a bar, most sporting venues invest in high performance audio, such as a theater sound system. Why not enhance your system with a stadium listening system or sports bar sound system? Although nothing beats the thrill of a cheering crowd, the noise levels at a game can be distracting or even damaging.

With AudioFetch, fans will #HearMoreTogether by plugging into an assistive listening device that cuts through the noise by streaming audio over wifi. Venues like Cavu Brewing use AudioFetch so you can hear the game as clearly as you would at home, while still enjoying the camaraderie of a sports bar. Go team!

3. Listen to Lectures at Universities and Community Schools

Universities and community schools benefit from assistive listening devices and education sound systems, too. After all, it’s hard to learn when you have difficulty hearing. AudioFetch helps students and faculty #HearMoreTogether by incorporating wireless audio streaming into the classroom, lecture hall or auditorium.

Educational institutions such as Barry University use AudioFetch to make their campus accessible to students with hearing loss and hearing impairment. This allows them to make sure all students feel welcome in their community.

#HearMoreTogether with AudioFetch

These are just a few examples of the ways AudioFetch can help your community. Now we want to hear from you! Share your ideas on Facebook or Instagram with hashtag #HearMoreTogether! Learn more about the giveaway here.

If you’d like to learn more about how AudioFetch could help your venue, contact us today!

AudioFetch Stadium Listening - Accessibility

Game Day: Should You Watch at The Stadium or a Sports Bar?

By | Sports Bars, Stadiums | No Comments

Fall is finally here! Turning leaves remind us we’ll soon be with loved ones eating pumpkin pie and cheering for our favorite sports team. Whether at home, at a bar or live at the stadium, watching sports in a group has been proven to have important health benefits

“We know that people live longer and recover more quickly from an illness when they have strong cases of social support,” says William Wiener Phd. “If you have a group of people you watch a game with consistently who offer support when you are down, it does lead to longevity and can keep you active and engaged and alive longer.”

Watching sports in a group also keeps your mind active. Research by  the University of Chicago shows that a region of the brain usually associated with planning and controlling actions is activated when fans listen to conversations about their favorite sport. 

Additionally, the reason that we enjoy watching sports in groups is because of our memories.  NPR social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam says, “We connect with sports teams through family, through our parents taking us to ballgames, and that’s why following a sports team feels so intense because it’s tied up in these family loyalties.” 

And none of these benefits even include the fun of putting on the t-shirt of our favorite players and our game-day face paint before meeting up at the local sports bar or heading to the stadium for a tail-gate party. But which is the better location to watch the game? 

Many would answer that question by saying it’s obviously the stadium. The energy of the crowd, the live action, and the opportunity to do “the wave,” among other things, make attending a live sporting event exhilarating. 

Stadiums are exciting, but also very noisy. Cheering fans, thundering applause, thumping music, hollering vendors, blaring horns can all make it pretty hard to hear the play-by-play. Unless the stadium has an assistive listening solution, you might be better off watching at a bar. With an assistive listening solution for stadiums streaming the play-by-play directly to your smartphone you still get to hear every part of the game no matter how rowdy it gets.  

However, watching your favorite sports team with a group of friends (or even strangers) at a local sports bar is like your own private viewing party. Watching on a TV gives you the advantage of seeing replays and gives you the ideal bird’s-eye view of the action. 

But what happens when there are multiple games on multiple televisions at once? 

Having the volume up on all them would be awful. With the sound off, you miss even more than you might at a stadium, unless the bar has an audio streaming solution that streams audio directly to your device. With a local audio streaming solution you can choose which TV to tune into using the app that receives the sound from a transmitter connected to each of the televisions. So you can have your beer and drink it, too. 

The whole point of getting together for a game is to actually watch the action and hear it even among the noise and excitement of everyone around you.  With AudioFetch’s bar TV app that streams the game audio to smartphones or tablets, you’ll get all the health benefits of watching the game in a group, and you won’t miss a single play, replay or stat. To learn more, contact us today!

AudioFetch Blog Header - Stadium Listening

New Stadium Listening Solution by AudioFetch

By | AudioFetch News, Stadiums | No Comments

Experiencing a live sporting event, concert, speaker or other big performance involves all five senses. Seeing the video screens and special effects. Smelling the hot dogs cooking on the grill. Feeling the cool summer night breeze. Tasting that first sip of ice cold beer. Listening to the play-by-play commentary or catching all the hit songs. Each of these senses is important, but it’s that last one–hearing–that is so important for live events. 

Hearing enables us to connect with the world and people around us, and allows us to enjoy life to its fullest. It also helps keep us safe in potentially threatening or emergency situations. So when fans can’t hear in noisy stadiums or arenas, they can miss out on the high points of the event or even critical announcements. 

That’s why we’re so excited to announce a new local WiFi audio streaming solution–Stadium Listening

“Accessibility and experience are incredibly important to stadiums and large arenas,” says Tim DePumpo, CEO of AudioFetch. “They want each and every person at that event to enjoy each and every aspect of the performance. And audio is a major, if not the most important part.”

This new solution allows thousands of listeners to hear live local audio on their smartphone or tablet using the AudioFetch app. It’s ideal for attendees with hearing disabilities or simply those that want to clearly hear the main event over hollering vendors, cheering fans, blaring vuvuzelas and other miscellaneous event din. Any venue that draws a large crowd–sports stadiums, concert arenas, large auditoriums, indoor or outdoor amphitheaters–can use this new audio streaming solution to provide hearing assistance for attendees. 

“When we first developed AudioFetch, we were focused on smaller venues and smaller crowds–maybe 50 to 100 people watching games in a sports bar, or 20 people running on treadmills at the gym,” says Tim. “As the company has grown, so have the crowd sizes that want to listen. We’ve gotten interest from stadiums and large arenas around the world, and knew we needed to come up with a solution for mass listening.” 

For the stadium or event venue, it works similarly to our other local audio streaming products. Just three easy steps get you up and running: 1. Connect the audio source(s) to AudioFetch using the included cables; 2. Connect the AudioFetch to the WiFi router; and 3. Attendees download the AudioFetch App and listen in real-time. (And if you want to get technical, that’s really only two steps on you!)

For attendees, it’s the exact same process as any other venue. Simply download the AudioFetch App for Apple or Android, connect to the local WiFi and start listening! 

“We’ve spent years developing the technology to make this mass listening possible,” Tim adds. “And also spent years making sure customers and users never know how much tech is behind it. It’s so simple to get more people hearing better, and that’s our number one goal.” 

For more information on this new stadium listening solution or to learn how AudioFetch can help you and your customers hear better, contact us today