Desk for the hearing impaired

Not everyone finds it easy to talk to a counter clerk at the municipal office. As an inclusive municipality, the municipality of Aalten believes it is important that public buildings are accessible to everyone. And that everyone can make proper use of the services provided by the municipality of Aalten. On Thursday, December 1, special equipment was therefore installed at one of the counters in the municipal office in Aalten so that people with hearing impairments can be better assisted.

"The municipality of Aalten strives for an inclusive society where everyone can participate," says Alderman Wikkerink. "In doing so, we want to base our approach on the wishes of the various target groups themselves. That is why we have also set up a sounding board group with involved residents. It is wonderful to see that these kinds of ideas can bubble up and then be quickly realized within the municipality of Aalten."

The municipality of Aalten sought cooperation with PlanPlanAdvies to realize its wishes. They are specialists in the field of hearing and understanding and have set up a so-called communication desk in the municipal office on Hofstraat Aalten.

Counter with special equipment

Due to a noisy room, a counter with a screen in between, low concentration or poor hearing, it can be difficult, sometimes nearly impossible, for residents to engage in conversation with a desk clerk. At the special counter, the employee speaks into a microphone, allowing the visitor to receive sound directly through headphones, a loop or their own streamer. The visitor can adjust the sound himself and can understand the desk clerk significantly better. As a result, a conversation is often easier and more relaxed.

In addition to the hearing impaired, there are also residents with other disabilities who benefit from this facility, as they can focus more on the conversation and are not bothered by background noise.