My testimony WITHOUT the photos:

Hello, my name is Janice Schacter Lintz and I am the CEO of Hearing Access & Innovations f/k/a the Hearing Access Program which spearheaded the hearing induction loop project with the Taxi & Limousine Commission about 11 years ago. I am also the mother of a 20-year old daughter who is hard of hearing.

I am confining my comments solely to hearing access since I do not have the expertise to weigh on on the other issues before The Commission.

I applaud the TLC for installing induction loops for people who are hard of hearing. New York City is the first city in this country to have hearing induction loops in its for hire vehicles such as taxis.

I also fully support the proposed rules (below) to add Hearing Induction Loop signage both inside and outside the taxi and other vehicles which is consistent with the pilot program.

Section 51-03 of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended to include a new definition of Hearing Induction Loop as stated in the proposed rule.
Section 58-32(i) of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new paragraph (s) Marking Specifications for Taxicabs to feature the International Symbol for Induction Loops as stated in the proposed rule.
Section 59A-29 of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding subdivision (m) requiring the decal on all For-Hire Vehicles equipped with a Hearing Induction Loop.
Section 59B of Title 35 of the rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new subdivision (o) requiring a Hearing Induction Loop Decal on For-Hire Vehicles with Induction Loop capability..
Section 60A-28 of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new subdivision (i) requiring Para-transit Vehicle equipped with Hearing Induction Loop capability to display a Hearing Induction Loop Decal.
Section 60B-28 of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended adding new subdivision (h) requiring that a Base Owner must ensure that each Vehicle with Hearing Induction Loop capability that is affiliated with the Base must display a Hearing Induction Loop Decal.
Section 61A-27 of Tile 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new subdivision (h) requiring the decal on each commuter-van vehicle with Hearing Induction Loop capability to display a Hearing Induction Loop Decal.
Section 61B-27 of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new subdivision (h) requiring the decal on each Commuter-Van Vehicle with Hearing Induction Loop capability must display a Hearing Induction Loop Decal.
Section 82-33(l) of Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding new paragraph (o) requiring that the decal be placed in the Street Hail Livery Vehicles that are equipped with the Hearing Induction Loop capability as directed by the Chairperson. For vehicles that are not OTVs but have Hearing Induction Loop technology, place as directed by the Chairperson.

The above rules are critical. Passengers are unaware of the hearing induction loop’s existence or even if the person is aware of the loop’s presence, they do not know which vehicle contains the loop. I was a member of the Taxi of Tomorrow Committee and even I had difficulty determining which was the Taxi of Tomorrow. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video/…

The proposed rules recommend the following signage.

The symbol was affixed to the inside and outside of the taxis when the TLC tested the hearing induction loops during the pilot program.

New York City Transit uses this symbol on its subway information booths and call boxes.

This symbol is used by museums, theaters, banks and retail shops that have hearing induction loops around New York City and the world.

It is also the international symbol for Hearing Induction Loops. Using an international symbol will benefit tourists who visit our city and who are familiar with the loop from their country or their travels. It is critical that the TLC use the globally recognized symbol for hearing induction loops.

We hope The Commission will support the proposed Rules so that people who are hard of hearing will be aware of the Hearing Induction Loop’s existence and presence. The loops cannot be used if passengers who are hard of hearing are unaware it exists and do not know which vehicle contains it. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of installing the loop.