Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at Target Field

I received this via email - I thought it was interesting and exciting and need to be shared!

DHHSD & TARGET FIELD - by Mary Bauer


Here's the story of how DHHSD was involved with the Target Field Access Advisory Committee...

Bruce Hodek, Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services was contacted and asked to send a representative to attend a meeting of the Twin Stadium Access Advisory Committee (it was later changed to the Target Field Access Advisory Committee after Target was given naming rights to the new ballpark). He asked me if I could attend the first advisory meeting on January 18, 2007 - of course I said yes! Little did know that it was going to be a nearly three year commitment...and that it would involve driving in downtown Minneapolis at rush hour (Why is it called rush hour? Shouldn't it be slow hour?) -but it was worth it!

In addition to Minnesota Department of Human Services – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, there were representatives from the Minnesota State Council on Disability, Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Courage Center, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Nationals Society – Minnesota Chapter, and Wheeled Mobility. Others in attendance included Staffroom the Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, Hummel, Green &Abrahamson, Inc. (HAG) – Architecture &Engineering firm, HOOK Sport Venue Event (later their name was changed to Populous) –Global Design Firm, and Minnesota Ballpark Authority[“The Minnesota Ballpark Authority is a public body that was created by the 2006 Legislature to oversee the construction and operation of Target Field. The MBA consists of five Commissioners appointed by the Governor (2), Hennepin County(2) and the City of Minneapolis (1). “].

Dominic Marginally of the United Spinal Association in New York was the chairperson of the committee. The United Spinal Association's Accessibility Services provides consulting services and work with organizations (such as the Minnesota Twins) to eliminate the majority of accessibility violations by reviewing plans,providing comments and being a resource during the design and construction process. The United Spinal Association is also an active participant in writing building codes at the local, state, and federal level (which is why Dominic submitted the audio induction window proposal to the International Code Council – more on that later).

The committee met January 18, 2007 through April 6, 2010. We met every 3-4 months to review plans, offer feedback to architects, and even offer additional ideas to make this the best ballpark in the United States. Staff from the Minnesota Twins organization was fantastic! They were very sincere and receptive to feedback from the committee. You could tell that they really wanted to make this ballpark accessible to all fans.

There are many accessibility features at Target Field for people with disabilities. Here are those features that are specifically beneficial to fans with a hearing loss:

• Ballpark announcements/commentaries are displayed on captioning boards located along the foul lines overlooking left and right field.

• All televisions throughout the stadium display closed captions.

• Assistive listening devices to hear the ballpark audio are available at the Guest Services Centers located on the Main Concourse near Section 113 and on the Terrace Concourse near section 204.

• Speaker boxes at all ticket windows are set below the agent’s mouth so fans can see the ticket agent's mouth in order to speech read.

• And finally, a very exciting accommodation...audio induction loops located at two ticket windows so those people with telecoil in their hearing aid's) will have a great signal-to-noise ratio in a very open and noisy environment just by accessing their telecoil!

Because of the installation of the audio induction loop ticket windows at Target Field and at the Yankees’ and Mets’ ballparks in New York (and I would also like to think, fueled by my unbridled enthusiasm!), Dominic Marginally submitted a proposal on May 24, 2009 to the International Code Council (ICC) requesting that all stadiums and arenas be required to install audio induction loop ticket window(s). The proposal was submitted on behalf of Minnesota Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and the Hearing Access Program of New York City. The proposal was accepted and is now a part of the International Building Code (IBC)! Starting in 2012 assistive listening devices will be required at stadium and arena ticket windows. How cool is that?! I would love to see audio induction loops as popular in the United States as they are in Europe and Canada...no more searching out an ALD (and wondering if the batteries will "die" in the middle of whatever venue you are attending, leaving you in the lurch...).


Here is the actual code section that will be added to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC): 1108.2.7.1.2 Ticket Windows. Where ticket windows are provided in stadiums and arenas at least one of each type shall have an assistive listening system. Reason: This proposal articulates the advocacy efforts of NY City’s Hearing Access Program who worked with the New York Yankees and the New York Mets and Minnesota’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services who worked with the Minnesota Twins on the installation of induction loop systems at ticket windows to ensure that individuals with hearing disabilities can communicate effectively with ticket agents in their new ballparks.

So that's the story of DHHSD's with the Target Field Accessibility Advisory Committee!

I hope all HLAA baseball fans get a chance to attend a game and enjoy all the amenities! Maybe I'll see you there! Go TWINS!!!