Alabama Ear Institute Offers Free Weather Radios to Deaf

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - The Alabama Ear Institute with the support of the Beeson Foundation Committee of Canterbury United Methodist Church and in conjunction with ABC 33/40 is sponsoring a program which will place weather radios with assistive learning devices in the homes of 100 of Jefferson County's deaf or hard-of hearing population. Equipped with a light and pillow vibrator, the weather radio alerts the individual of approaching bad weather. The radios also feature alpha/numeric readouts that detail the type of warning being issued.

"When a tornado hits Alabama, most of us are aware of the danger because of a warning siren or the announcements on the television or radio," said Dr. Robert Baldwin, President and Chairman of the Alabama Ear Institute. "If you are deaf, there is no guarantee that you will know about the approaching bad weather, especially if you live alone."

The Alabama Ear Institute has purchased 100 Midland Weather radios, 100 lights, and 100 pillow vibrators with the generous support of the Beeson Foundation Committee of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Each alert system also features battery backup and retails for over $130 each.

"We are very excited to be able to give these radios away because we know they may save lives, " said Dr. Robert Baldwin, "Because of this radio, a person who is deaf will know when a storm is approaching so they can take
proper steps to protect themselves."

One hundred people who are deaf or hard of hearing may qualify to receive the free weather alert system by calling the Alabama Ear Institute to request an application at (205) 879-4234. The radios will be given out on a first come first served basis to qualified applicants.

To be eligible to receive the free alerting device you must live in Jefferson County, be age fifty-five or older, and have a hearing loss in the moderately-severe to profound range within the majority of the speech frequencies. Applicants must complete the application and include a copy of your ID and a copy of an audiogram test and return the completed application to the Alabama Ear Institute.

The public can make donations to this program, and increase the number of people to receive the modified weather radios, by calling (205) 879-4234.

The Alabama Ear Institute is a 501 (c)(3) public, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults who are affected by loss of hearing. For more information on the services and programs of the
Alabama Ear Institute, call 1-205-879-4234.

Click Here for application.