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July 16, 2005
Smoke detectors for deaf installed in home
A deaf couple with three small children who waited three years to get smoke detectors for the hearing-impaired installed in their apartment received the devices yesterday, officials said.
Deputy Fire Marshal Michael Whalen said the company managing Deans Apartments where the family lives, Lower County Property Management, had the detectors installed yesterday. The special detectors use strobe lights and high-decibel alarms to alert the hearing-impaired.
The couple, Veronica and Richard Sonnenberg, will also be getting a doorbell for the hearing-impaired, officials said.
The Sonnenbergs could not be reached last night. They have three children, twins, 2-year-old Roxy and Richard Jr., and a 3-year-old girl, Mindy.
The Sonnenbergs on Wednesday said they have requested the smoke detectors a half-dozen times since arriving in August 2002. Staff at Lower County said they only learned of the request Wednesday, the day the South Brunswick Fire Marshal's office ordered the company to install the smoke detectors for the hearing-impaired.
Officials in South Brunswick learned of the situation Tuesday night when the Sonnenbergs went to a Township Council meeting with a friend to complain.
The federally subsidized complex lies off Black Horse Lane.
Followup: http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/07/family_awaits_s.html
By Ken Serrano
Posted by 4HL on July 16, 2005 12:32 AM
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