Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices (ALDs) amplify sound and must be made available to all individuals who wish to use them for lectures, classes, conferences, theater performances, concerts, sporting events, and other functions. ALDs come in convenient carrying cases along with simple, step-by-step instructions. Audio Visual Services (AVS) is happy to review the use of an ALD and answer any questions.

The following are the procedures for obtaining ALDs for on-campus and off-campus events, as well as general information about ALDs. Many, but not all, situations and circumstances are addressed. To improve and refine the procedures, your feedback is welcome. Please send suggestions to ald@lists.uchicago.edu.

AVS contact information:

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Stuart Hall, Room 004
5835 S. Greenwood
773.834.4499
avs@uchicago.edu

ALDs for On-Campus Events

Signing Out Equipment

At least 24 business hours before an event, the event organizer needs to make arrangements to obtain ALDs.

• For most spaces, contact AVS to complete a brief form to sign out ALDs. You are then required to pick up the ALDs so that you have them available as needed.
• For some campus spaces, ALDs are housed locally and you will need to sign them out at least 24 business hours in advance from the office that oversees the space in question. Such spaces will have information in their event confirmation documents reminding you of the local availability of ALDs and/or have signage in the space indicating that an office other than AVS must be contacted regarding ALDs.

When providing an ALD, you may wish to adopt the practice many theaters use and request that the individual taking the ALD provide a driver's license or other photo identification as a deposit.

For UChicago spaces other than those listed below, please contact AVS to arrange for ALDs.

For spaces in:	Contact:
Biological Sciences Learning Center	BSD Facilities Services, BSLC 118 & 120
Court Theater	Box Office
Crerar Library	Circulation Desk
Booth School of Business, Harper Center	Chicago Booth Facilities and Operations
Henry Crown Field House	Front Desk
Ida Noyes Hall	Office of Event Services (OES) INH 106
International House	Programs and External Relations
Law School	Events and Conferences
Logan Center for the Arts	Box Office
Mandel Hall	Center for Leadership and Involvement RC 003
Oriental Institute	Security Desk
Ratner Athletic Center	Front Desk
Reynolds Club/Hutchinson Commons	Center for Leadership and Involvement RC 003
Rockefeller Chapel	Administrative Office
Stagg Field	Ratner Front Desk
University Theater	Reynolds Club, Third Floor

ALDs for Off-Campus Events

ALDs must be available at UChicago-sponsored events that occur off-campus in the United States. Event organizers are expected to arrange for ALDs from the venues at which off-campus events take place. If that is not feasible, IT Services will loan out the necessary equipment.

General Information About ALDs

Integration with Other A/V Equipment

Some events will already have audio amplification, whether built-in or temporary. ALDs must still be available for audience members who request them. While ALDs can be integrated with existing audio equipment at many events, including seminars and panel discussions, it will sometimes be necessary to use an additional microphone(s). Please notify AVS if your event requires audio amplification apart from ALDs. Our staff will work with you to provide the best possible solution.

Alerting Your Speakers

For a variety of reasons, some speakers prefer not to use microphones in certain spaces or at certain types of events. If a member of the audience asks to use an ALD, it will not work unless the speaker uses a microphone, either stationary or lavalier. Event organizers are to alert speakers that if an ALD is requested by a member of the audience, the speakers will need to use a microphone. For the ALD to serve its purpose, the sound need not be amplified for anyone other than the individual(s) using the ALD.

Purchasing Your Own ALDs

Event organizers interested in purchasing their own ALDs may contact AVS with questions regarding equipment and vendor recommendations.