Desk for the hearing impaired

It is not easy for everyone to engage in conversation with a desk clerk in the municipal office. As an inclusive municipality, the Municipality of Aalten considers it important that public buildings are accessible to everyone. And that everyone can use the services of the municipality of Aalten in a good way. On Thursday, December 1, special equipment was therefore placed at one of the desks in the municipality office in Aalten so that the hearing impaired can be better assisted.

"The municipality of Aalten strives for an inclusive society, where everyone can participate," said Alderman Joop Wikkerink. "In doing so, we would like to start from 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 great to see that these kinds of ideas then bubble up and can also be quickly realized within the municipality of Aalten."

Municipality of Aalten sought cooperation with PlanPlanAdvies for the realization of the wishes. They are specialists in the field of hearing and understanding and have set up a so-called counter communication post in the municipal office on the Hofstraat in 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.