July 12, 2008 – Tucker, Georgia – The Peaches met at Kacey’s Home Cooking all-you-can-eat buffet at the corner of LaVista and Montreal Roads in Tucker for a meal and socializing in lieu of our regularly scheduled meeting at the Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church.

Peaches Harriet, Mary, Ann, Yael and Roxanne were there. Mark Gasaway attended our gathering as well. Marie Drew from Pennsylvania and her son, Michael, who lives locally, were also able to join our festive group. Marie thought she ought to get the prize for having traveled the furthest to attend. “Well,” we explained, “we don’t give out a prize for that—hopefully, our stimulating company will be enough of a present.” And evidently it was because Marie has decided definitely to move to our area!

The food was delicious with a variety of dishes that suited everyone and the service efficient. Even though we had not made a reservation (we did call ahead), the staff and management were welcoming and made us feel very comfortable. Two o’clock was the perfect time because most of the lunch crowd had left, which gave us plenty of room to fill ourselves up!

Everyone indicated they enjoyed the gathering and all of us had a good time. Using ALDA’s policy of “whatever works” to communicate we had a table buzzing with verbal, signed and written communication.

Some of our members suggested doing it again in the future. So, stay tuned for upcoming announcements. Sounds like fun to me!

Web Captioned Telephone Service Available Now for People with Hearing Loss Nationwide

AURORA, NE – Hamilton Relay today announced the availability of Hamilton Web CapTel^®. CapTel is a service designed for individuals who have difficulty hearing on the telephone, where captions, similar to the closed captioning provided on most television programs, are offered to support the understanding of telephone conversations. Previously available only through State Relay programs and with a specialized CapTel phone, individuals nationwide can now make CapTel calls via the Web. Web CapTel works with any type of telephone and any type of Internet access device. Hamilton Web CapTel is available at www.hamiltoncaptel.com.

Hamilton Web CapTel requires no special equipment. Along with a standard telephone or mobile phone, individuals can see every word a caller says on a computer screen. All that is required is an Internet connection and a computer or laptop with a standard web browser — no special equipment or special software is needed. Individuals can listen to the caller and read the written captions of everything the caller says.

Hamilton Web CapTel works by providing two telephone numbers, your telephone number and the telephone number you wish to call. When you place a call, the Web CapTel Service calls your number first, then the number of the person you wish to call. You will be able to see the captioning page from the computer monitor and once you answer your telephone, captions will begin and the system is calling out to the person you wish to call. When you are waiting to receive a call, a person dials Hamilton Web CapTel Service at 1-800-933-7219. Web CapTel Service checks to see if you are logged on and waiting for calls, then places a call to your telephone number where you are waiting.

“Hamilton is thrilled to introduce Hamilton Web CapTel,” says Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of Hamilton Relay. ”This exciting web-based service expands Hamilton’s CapTel offering by bringing the flexibility and mobility of the Internet to the CapTel experience that so many people have come to enjoy. Individuals who have missed out on what was being said during a telephone conversation no longer need to. Hamilton Web CapTel allows individuals with hearing loss to ‘see what they say.’ ”

Individuals will view telephone conversations word by word, phrase by phrase, on-screen as the conversation takes place. There is no charge for using Hamilton Web CapTel.

Individuals and organizations who would like more information are encouraged to contact a Hamilton Relay Representative at 800-618-4781 (Voice/TTY) or via Email at help@hamiltoncaptel.com.

About Hamilton Relay

Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Internet Relay, Video Relay, Wireless Relay and CapTel. All services are available at www.hamiltonrelay.com. Hamilton Relay provides traditional relay services to 15 states, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands.

CapTel and Web CapTel are registered trademarks of Ultratec, Inc.

ATLANTA (Nov.1, 2007) - Today, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation launched a new expanded program providing low-income Georgians facing hearing loss with digital hearing aids. The program was created in partnership with the Georgia Public Service Commission, Unitron, EM-Tech and over 100 audiologist and hearing aid dispensers throughout the state. The program will provide hearing aids for up to 800 legal Georgia residents with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Hearing aids will be distributed through state-licensed hearing care providers to eligible persons 21 years of age or older.

"The Lighthouse Foundation has been one of the only low-cost hearing aid solutions for Georgians on a fixed income for more than 30 years," said Executive Director Christina Lennon. "Through this expansion, we will be able to provide Georgians in need with a higher quality hearing aid with digital technology, instead of the analog aids offered before, improving the quality of life for hundreds of people throughout the state."

The expanded program is funded in part by a grant from the Georgia Public Service Commission as a result of provisions in HB 655. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Smith (R-Watkinsville) The expanded program is funded in part by a grant from the Georgia Public Service Commission as a result of provisions in HB 655. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Smith (R-Watkinsville)<WBR>, added "other hearing technology" to the list of acceptable uses of the Telecommunications Relay Fund (TRS), which already included relay service, reading services for The client cost of hearing aids provided by the Lighthouse Foundation is based on a sliding scaled determined by household income. The cost to the client includes the earmold, impressions and four visits to the hearing provider.

Co-payments for the program range from $60 to $205 per hearing aid, making the aids some of the most affordable for Georgia residents, and the Foundation's program like few others in the country.

Ensuring broad reach and service capacity, the Lighthouse Foundation partners with audiologists and hearing aid professionals throughout the state who volunteer their time and services to Lighthouse clients. "Our hearing program will ultimately improve the accessibility of hearing aids for Georgians," said Hearing Services Director, Sharifa Peart. "Partnerships with hearing care providers throughout the state of GA allow us to have an impact in communities throughout the state."

The demand for hearing aids continues to grow, which demonstrates the critical need for programs like the Lighthouse Foundation's. According to the Hearing Aid Association of America, one in every 10 Americans - or 28 million Americans - has hearing loss. As baby boomers reach retirement age starting in 2010, this number is expected to rapidly climb and nearly double by the year 2030.

Ninety-five percent of Americans with hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids; however, only 22 percent of people with hearing loss - or more than 6 million individuals - currently use them.

Individuals interested in applying for the Lighthouse Foundation Hearing Aid program may apply by downloading an application at http://www.lionslighthouse.org/ or
calling 404-325-3630.