'Hands & Voices' hearing loss presentation Saturday

McCOOK, Neb. — Fire safety concerns for anyone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing will be addressed at a special collaborative presentation by "Hands & Voices" and the City of McCook Fire Department on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., at the fire station in the 300 block of West Fifth.

Children with hearing loss are especially invited to attend, to acquaint themselves with firefighters — the good guys in the case of a fire — wearing their bunker gear.

According to Jessica Hoss of Kearney, Hands & Voices is hosting state-wide presentations for people of all ages living with their own or a family member's hearing loss. Speakers during the 1 1/2-hour presentation will demonstrate deaf-friendly fire alert systems and discuss services available through Hands & Voices and the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

At the McCook event, there will be raffles for a seat belt cover that explains to first responders that the wearer is deaf or hard-of-hearing; and for a "Sonic Bomb" alarm clock.

Hands & Voices is a non-profit, world-wide parent support organization based in Boulder, Colo., which offers support and advocacy for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Services include peer support, resource guides and advocacy for early hearing loss detection and intervention.