AllDeaf.com points to a story about deaf people who want to see closed captioned ads. We may fast forward through commercials when watching TiVO or a taped program, but there are times when we’d like to know what is said on the commercial.
Super Bowl time, for one. Hey, with all the hoopla about commercials during the big football game of the year, we want to be included. People talk about hilarious commercials. We like to laugh, so please caption it so we can laugh with everyone else.
The story talks about political ads. Deaf people can vote. At least, those 18 and older. I’ve voted in every minor and major election since turning 18. Political campaigns aren’t required to be captioned — only for presidential candidates who receive federal funding.
Considering not everyone turns out for voting, don’t candidates want to grab as much of the deaf vote as possible? Not that I would be influenced by the candidate who captions vs. not captions, but it can make a difference in an election where you have one Republican, one Democrat and two Independent candidates. That would be the Texas race for governor.
Super Bowl advertisers, are you listening? If you pay big bucks to run your commercial during the big game — what’s a measly few bucks for captions?
Captioning Ads
Deaf Struggles
Lots of great articles popping up regarding Gallaudet and the Deaf Culture.
Alicia sent a link to a very powerful article [scanned version] written by the mother who has a deaf daughter. The article highlights the big picture for the protests against the selection of Jane K. Fernandez presidential appointment. The shocker? The article [html version] is 15 years old!
This New York Times article published in Arizona Central is also worth a read as it also explores the Deaf perspective.
Here are letters from Dr. Roz Rosen and others. Another honest and insightful commentary from Rick D. Taylor a.k.a. Ridor, David W. Boles, and The GU Private Investigator.
Insight into the Deaf World
This superb article from the Houston Chronicle by Clarence Page of Washington, D.C., and Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist. It looks at mainstreaming, Galludet and its presidential challenges, the culture, and cochlear implants.
Everyone should read the last four paragraphs.
When you divide the world between “us” and “them,” even in reaction to prejudices, you run the risk of developing dangerous prejudices of your own.
Gallaudets Board of Trustees votes to terminate Fernandes appointment as president
Whoa! Press release from Gallaudet:
TO: Campus Community
FROM: Board of Trustees
RE: Board of Trustees Meeting
Today, we announce with much regret and pain that after serious deliberation in a special, all-day Executive Session of the Board of Trustees, we have voted to terminate Dr. Fernandes’ appointment as President-Designate (currently effective) and President (effective beginning January 1, 2007) at Gallaudet University.
We understand the impact of this decision and the important issues that inherently arise when a Board re-examines decisions in the face of an on-going protest. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the University to terminate Dr. Fernandes from the incoming President’s position. Although undoubtedly there will be some members of the community who have differing views on the meaning of this decision, we believe that it is a necessity at this point. The Board is continuing to meet to discuss transitional issues.
It has certainly been a difficult and trying time for our Gallaudet community. Now is the time for healing. The hope of the Board of Trustees is for our beloved community to come together to work for a stronger and better Gallaudet.
On Reprisals
The Board of Trustees respects the right of people to express their views in a peaceful manner. However, individuals who violated the law and Gallaudet University’s Code of Conduct will be held accountable. We expect the University to honor its long tradition of respect for each other and property and to return to normal.
Online Video Captions
For many of us, the Internet erased communication barriers until videos started gaining popularity with sites like YouTube and TV networks making episodes of shows available as downloads. We can watch the TV shows on TV with captions, but the downloaded videos are silent — without captions. The Wall Street Journal took notice with its article: Deaf Web Users Fear Being Left Behind As TV Shows Stream Onto the Internet.
Even with the Journal’s article, it will take a lot more notice to make a difference — but it shouldn’t be as slow a process as it was for TV captions. I hope.
Deaf Culture and the Presidential Uproar
The Washington Post attempts to educate readers with an article explaining the protests over the selection of Jane K. Fernandez for Gallaudet presidency. This started last spring, but apparently last week — the faculty voted they have no confidence in her leadership.
It’s a insightful must-read article as it looks at the big picture of the situation, reporting on it, and its affect on students.
Axistive
Axistive.com is a news portal that provides news relating to technology that help people with disabilities.
Get a Human
Earlier, I provided a link to an article on how to work around recrodings. Get Human contains a database of companies and how to reach a human.
The link comes from a Dallas Morning News [may require free registration] story on the topic.
This article shows six ways to reach a human operator.
Data Plan for PDAs
I want to switch to the Palm Treo when my current data plan contract ends in December, so I’ve been researching prices and options. I went to Verizon Wireless and couldn’t find a data only plan. The rates for a calling plan with unlimited data were too high.
I emailed Verizon about a data only plan and the company said it can’t offer specific plans. I understand — but according to PC World and Palm’s press release, it had a data plan for $45. Either it went away or never existed. That would work for me.
Cingular and T-Mobile don’t carry the latest Treo. Sprint’s service is bad where I live. Garth Wireless targets people who are deaf, and there I find a Verizon data only plan that costs $20 more than T-Mobile’s data plan with a Sidekick. Data plans with Blackberrys are also cheaper.
Seems the message is for me to stop using PalmOS. I should switch to something else, but I can’t help but prefer PalmOS-based devices.
UPS Court Case Update
Got an update to the court case I mentioned in this 2004 entry (two years!). The US court states that UPS may not exclude deaf people from applying for driving lighter delivery trucks. No information explains the situation with other types of trucks, however.