Assisted Listening Devices are now available at Las Cruces Museums for public programs, thanks to generous donations and foresight from the Las Cruces Progress Club and Foundation for Las Cruces Museums. The addition of these Assisted Listening Devices makes the programs at the museums more accessible to the growing number of people in the community with hearing loss.
“Many senior citizens experience hearing loss, which affects their ability to benefit from social gatherings. It is estimated that as many as 30% of seniors have some degree of hearing loss. Young children who also suffer from hearing loss need accommodations so they can participate in learning activities. The curators of the Las Cruces museums recognized the need to have Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) so visitors of all ages could participate in their many activities. The GFWC Progress Club of Las Cruces partnered with the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums and raised funds to help the museums obtain FM hearing systems. These ALDs will allow many visitors with hearing loss to participate in museum activities. Our museum system is an educational jewel in Las Cruces, and the Progress Club was honored to be able to help,” said Rebecca Courtney, GFWC Progress Club Board Member.
All City of Las Cruces museums now have assisted listening devices available during public programming. These devices, either headphones or a neckloop that works with T-Coil equipped hearing aids can be checked out from the front desk of the museum hosting a program. For more details about the Assisted Listening Devices, contact the museum at (575) 541-2154 or museums_education@las-cruces.org.
The Museums of Nature and Science, Museum of Art and Branigan Cultural Center are located downtown on North Main Street and the Railroad Museum is at 351 N. Mesilla St. The museums are open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours Thursday to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Picture attached: Members of the Foundation for the Las Cruces Museums and the Progress Club get a demonstration of the Assisted Listening Devices. Pictures L to R, FLCM Board Member Jim Garthwait, FLCM President Mike Weiss, Museum Education Manager Garland Courts, Progress Club President Jean Frizzell and Progress Club Board Member Rebecca Courtney.)