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NAD Calls for Strong ADA Rules for Businesses
By advocacy | August 15, 2008
Action Alert – Your Comments Are Needed – by Monday, August 18
Want to see more captioned movies? Want stadium events captioned? Want better access to health care? Want to make sure video remote interpreting (VRI) services are used appropriately? Want hospitals, hotels, and motels to provide videophones, not just TTYs? Want to make sure businesses to accept relay calls?
The NAD is fighting for equal communication access and advocating for strong ADA rules for businesses. You can, too.
The US Department of Justice proposed changes to the rules for two parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This Action Alert is about the proposed rules for ADA Title III – public accommodations. (Another Action Alert about proposed rules for ADA Title II – state and local governments – is posted on the NAD Advocacy Blog.)
These rules apply to a wide range of businesses of all sizes, for-profit and non-profit, including retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, banks, day care centers, recreational programs, and private schools.
Below is a summary of the NAD comments to the US Department of Justice proposed changes to the ADA rules for businesses – ADA Title III.
These new rules will affect your rights.
Tell the Department of Justice what you think.
* * * * * Click Here to send your message now. * * * * *
* * * * * Update — The deadline for filing comments has passed. * * * * *
Tell the Department of Justice:
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
[Give examples, from your own experience, about the need for equal communication access with businesses, including hospitals, private schools, movie theaters, stadiums, doctors, lawyers, and other service providers. Describe what needs to be done to ensure equal access.]
The NAD Says:
Movies Theaters
• Movie theaters must make captioning available for all movies being shown at all times, unless doing so would be an undue burden
• No need to wait for digital movies; movie theaters can display captions today
• Today’s caption display systems can work with digital movies, too
• Digital movies will provide additional ways to display captions
• Captions must be effective: same line of sight as the movie; sufficient size and contrast to ensure readability; and be timely, accurate, complete, and efficient
Stadiums
• Stadiums of all sizes, regardless of use, must caption all aural information, including emergency and safety information, unless doing so would be an undue burden
• Captions must be placed in the same lines of sight as the Jumbotrons or other video displays; handheld captioning devices should not be used
• Captions must be effective: same line of sight as the visual component; sufficient size and contrast to ensure readability; and be timely, accurate, complete, and efficient
• Captions benefit everyone
Qualified Interpreter
• An interpreter must be able to interpret both ways – “receptively and expressively” (ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL)
• Whenever possible, an interpreter must be certified
• List and describe different kinds of interpreters: sign language, oral, cued language, deaf-blind, certified deaf, and speech-to-speech interpreters
• Qualified interpreters can be provided “on site or through video remote interpreting (VRI) services”
Video Interpreting Services
• Don’t make up new names – call it “video remote interpreting” (VRI)
• Define as “qualified interpreter services delivered through the use of video conference technology”
• Explain that VRI is not the same as “video relay services” (VRS)
• Clarify that the rules about technical requirements for VRI are minimum requirements
• VRI service should be provided only when it is expected to and actually results in effective communication
• VRI services may not always be appropriate
Other Aids and Services
• Do not add “exchange of written notes” – not effective except for brief, uncomplicated, and inconsequential communication
• Add “support service providers (SSPs)” for people who are deaf-blind
• Change “computer-aided transcription services” to “computer aided real-time transcription services” (like CART)
Effective Communication
• Delete: “A public accommodation should consult with individuals with disabilities whenever possible to determine what type of auxiliary aid is needed to ensure effective communication, but the ultimate decision as to what measures to take rests with the public accommodation, provided that the method chosen results in effective communication.”
• Add: “A public accommodation shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with a disability.”
Companions
• Communicate effectively with companions who are deaf or hard of hearing (companions are family members, friends, or associates of another person)
• Clarify “companions” must include, for example, a deaf wife of deaf husband or hearing husband; a deaf parent of deaf child or hearing child
• Make absolutely clear that children are not to be used for interpreting or facilitating communication
Telecommunications
• Hotels, motels, hospitals, etc., should provide TTYs and “other voice, text, and video-based telecommunications products and systems, such as videophones and captioned telephones”
• Businesses must accept and treat relay calls the same as telephone calls
• Automated answering systems must work with TTYs and relay services, and should include early option to connect with live person
Topics: Action |
August 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I support the comments offered by the National Association of the Deaf,
August 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I am comfortable with all the comments that serve the needs of Deaf people and people with hearing loss. Note about the movie captions, I just want to drop a thought about strong requirements to provide full-captioned news on all TV news broadcasts. Many local television stations are reluctantly providing meager captioned news such as ad-lib or no captions on live programs. Something for your food for thought.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Please also tell the Department of Justice that you support the comments of the NAD by clicking on the link above where it says “Click Here to send your message now.”
August 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I support the comments offered by the National Association of the Deaf and the rest of the comments by the deaf communmity as well. We need stronger voice!
Our human rights is still being ignore in many places.
We need to get that more work on compliance and improvements to be made immediately now, not later!
We need more techology supporting the deaf and the rest of the people with disabilties as well. There are many places that does not whats right. For example,
I live in rural areas and many of us deaf live in the country. Many times, we hear big brand names Phone companies or cable companies said, “sorry, we don’t service in your area or your street”. Thats hurt & shocked us alot!!!! We are unable to use communication tools available to us because of them saying that! Video Phone or some calls it VP or VRI or calls it Video Relay Interpreting, more qualify or top levels best live interpreters, etc is sorely needed! Also, need more towers set up as well! We can’t use our data plans via various communication equipments or other kinds like a data plan phones, MVP equipement or other kinds of equipments available if those are not there to help us in a ER situation or 911 situation! If you can not help us, then you are hurting us more! We needed to call out for help in a emergency situation and there is none for us in rural areas or other area I may not know about while driving on the road! Those equipments or various services is needed to be in enforce immediately install or be set up ready now. Please help make our life better! More communication tools is needed to be ready & enforce included to be educated for alot of people now!
August 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Hi,
I am currently working closely with WATF (Washington Assistive Technology Foundation) non-profit microenterprises organization in downtown Seattle, Washington teaching deaf/hoh particpants how to start business, etc since November of 2007.
So far, Appearantly showing a sign of successful contintous education workshop-seminar-training for all of us in Seattle, Washington.
Hopefully with that success rate, In all probablity, Some of us will eventually go into business for ourselves (MAIN REASON) because of barrier, dismay, discrimination, stupid-down among many small, midsize, large business out there.
Hearies shall be THANKFUL that we, deaf/hoh people are FIGHTING for a better improved life quality OURSELVES instead of others like immigrants, lazy ones, etc! In order to help ease the burden and non-nessecary excessive taxpayer dollar’s expeneses as well.
The more they discrminate us. The more “Fleecing of America” taxpayer’s dollar goes to SSI, SSA, SSDI receipints at their own burden and expenese excessively BILLION of BILLIONS a month nationwide! Something to sneeze at??? C’mon my gosh hearies could be so totally AIRHEAD, BLIND, INGORANT, UNWILLING to ease up, listen, relaize their daily tax problem situation trying to solve by working with disabilities among in america by putting them all to WORK! instead of the freaking immigrants that almost alway slime up, breaking every essential bits of law, rules, regulation, ordinance, etc in heart of america!
Better yet, We have to follow EVERY RESTRICT rules toward upon government’s expectation??? What’s the HECK if we follow all rules and wasn’t being granted an opportunity ranging from employment to owning a business??? What’s the point???? It doesn’t add up nor making any logical SENSE to any of us! Period!
Thanks again!
David Galyean
August 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I absolutely support all of the above comments made by NAD!!
It will certainly enable people of all various level of hearing losses to have a healthier outlook on life!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I feel that the best way to educate the public of our Deaf rights and the fact of our sufferings is through CNN news
and that would lead the best accesses in many ways for the Deaf Community like what you asked us to give our comments about a list of questions. A lack of many things are accessed are blamed for the small number of the deaf group ’s advocacy due to the loss of numerous deaf young people due to their isolation in the hearing world with no knowledge of their own Deaf rights and no deaf leaders they need to look up since several deaf schools are closed.
I am disappointed that there is not enough to the worldwide media about the DBC’s Deaf rally and Deaf’s sufferings of inferiority and lack of the language development in the mainstreamed society and cochlear implant maddness and there is still no media about that in the CNN news at all.
I have met so many deaf students from public schools around here whose’ education is so behind due to lack of language development, and their parents’ ignorance of many important things that the Deaf can do . I have learned that some of them are treated like inferior and discriminated against for not driving due to their “handicaps” Who is blamed for neglecting our young Deaf generation? They have no opporunity to be aware that they have the deaf rights of many anncesses like what you said in a list of accessible stuffs are here.
It is time for removing all of barriers of many things in the Deaf people. or the satelitte from the space to bar the hearing world’s communication needs.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I would want us to be able to go to society and be welcome without any problem with communication. This has been a hindrance since the early days when the deaf have been shutout because “they” feel that they can not understand us. Well here is a chance to use technology to work and benefit our deaf society with hearing. If not then we will go back to the dark ages and have more problems. I want this problem stop now and I want equal access to all event including having captions in movies, games and etc. I am a tax payer and I feel that I have been discriminated based on my handicap. I want this action to stop and go on with my life without any problem.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I would greatly appreciately this. Just getting an interpreter for a doctor visit with my daughter is crazy. Everyone assumes I’ll do it for her. How will she learn to be something great when there’s no oppertunity for her.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Howdy NAD,
For the most part, I support most of the positions taken by the NAD in response to the ADA proposed changes. I do have strong feelings about the interpreting issue related to ASL to English and English to ASL rendering. I suggest that the NAD take a deeper look into this issue, My travels and seminars with the rank and file Deaf indicate that over 90% of the interpreters certified by the RID are not qualified ASL users. This tells us that the system as is does not work. What I suggest is that we use only English to English interpreters and hire DI (Deaf Interpreters) to function in that role, working better as a team, reducing stress and allowing each interpreter to function in their own language. This will allow more fluency in each language to facilitate a more effective communication flow for both the hearing and the Deaf. What is happening now is a sham, using certified but unqualified English to ASL interpreters. DI professionals would rectify this unworkable situation. This would allow more Deaf people jobs as DI (of course DIs would have to go through training, but not through the RID as they have not been receptive to providing training only to DIs but to merge them into their unaccessible programs for DIs). This is a potential ” positive marriage” of hearing and Deaf interpreters. I am also an avid supporter of the “consecutive approach” toward interpreter situations for obvious reasons.
So I do support most positions stated by the NAD but not the position re: interpreters as is.
John F Levesque (Jax)
August 15th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I support the comments and efforts of NAD, although I have no faith that the DOJ will actually do anything productive, other than write laws no one ever enforces, including, and most specifically, the ADA.
As an individual who became Deaf over a period of 20 years (I had normal hearing when I started teaching) I have experienced discrimination that rivals that of the height of the Civil Rights era simply because I don’t sound like what hearing people think Deaf people sound like. It actually took me a while to understand why I kept hitting brick walls when I asked for help. Hearing people think I’m lying. I have a 105 db loss in the left ear and a 95 db loss in the right. How dumb can they be?
I am currently involved in litigations against the City of New York and it has cost me a fortune. I don’t believe this would have happened in a place that is not so anti-Deaf. I actually asked an attorney in Mayor Bloomberg’s office what plans the City has for notifying Deaf/HOH and Deaf-Blind people in the event of a terrorist attack on the subway. This attorney told me I had no business in the Mayor’s office. Obviously, I received NO ANSWER. Shame on them!
August 15th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I vigorously support the comments laid out by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) above.
Jean Boutcher
August 15th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Since the attorney mentioned in the above-referenced comment is a public servant and owes the public their due, please feel free to contact her: Andrea Berger, aberger@law.nyc.gov. Undoubtedly, she will be in a state of denial, as they all are, but trust me, as a Deafie, this is Gospel.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I support the comments of National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
August 15th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Please note: My comment under #14 refers to my original comment under #12. Sorry for any confusion.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hi, first of all, I strongly support NAD’s comments as well as others’ comments in favor of us deafies. Still, there are some loopholes in ADA and other regulations. How about serious concerns for deaf-blind (those who still can see and have night blindness) who requires well lighted environment at all kinds of restaurants?
Thanks,
Paul
August 15th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I believe more transparency is needed for hiring practices of businesses to ensure it is fair and non-discriminatory. Too many times I have heard stories of businesses lying to deaf and hard of hearing applicants by telling them the position is no longer available when it has not been filled. I also have heard about deaf and hard of hearing people going from interview to interview without being offered a job. Why should the deaf and hard of hearing community have 10 times higher unemployment rate compared to the rest of our country. We’re Americans and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should be protecting us and not hurting us.
My recommendation is for more transparency– the kind that holds employers accountable for their hiring practices; the kind which would provide a viable solution for preventing the employment of illegal immigrants; and the kind that would reveal inequalities with gender, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation and other protected groups.
If a person within a protected group believes that an employer’s hiring practices are not fair, that person should have the right to ask the employer for full disclosure of the qualifications of the people they hired. If there is any doubt that the process was fair, that employer should be penalized with strong ADA laws.
As a model for the private sector and the rest of the country, local, state and federal government needs to step up to ensure that their employees are representative of the country’s population. That means if they are not hiring a proportionate amount of deaf and hard of hearing people to fill their positions, they must set aside a budget to actively recruit deaf and hard of hearing people.
I believe it’s time to stop injustice and join in with all kinds of people to ensure everyone has equal representation in our government and in the workplace.
August 15th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I support the comments of National Association of the deaf (NAD).
August 15th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I have deep compassion in regards to HOSPITAL settings/ MD for the impact ‘ HIT HOME to me when my precious daughter Linda , herself DEAF last 23 days of her LIFE in Houston .Texas [ West Houston Medical Center] on Dairy
Ashford/ Richmond street nearest to the location. The notes ‘ Linda’s own handwriting ‘ I need an INTERPRETER please’
she wrote ‘ I do not understand/please contact (she gavethem information WHO TO CONTACT ) but no one was EVER CONTACTED. Her daughter [ FLUENT ASL’ CODA ‘ was with her Mom ‘ most everyday/ Rev Arthur Craig (FLUENT ASL
his Church for the DEAF “WoodHaven Baptist Deaf Church ”
came EVERYDAY / also with her first 24 hours
August 15th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I SUPPORT NAD ADVOCACY 100 %
Letters, E-mails , contacting Civil Rights on behalf of my daughter , in many instances were ignored evidently, we
have NEVER had a response.
I have many instances documented I, as her Mother wanted to see JUSTICE about.Linda Dianne Lide will not have died in vane. I will help any way that I can to assure and hope lives of DEAF CITIZENS need proper legal/ medical / [ not treated as animal because do not speak
ENGLISH / but do ASL beautifully ‘ their language’
Thank you
August 16th, 2008 at 12:29 am
I support all of NAD’s recommendations as given here toward improved access for all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Americans. The ADA is an important law that can only be made better with the NAD’s input on behalf of its constituency.
August 16th, 2008 at 1:47 am
I strongly support the comments of the National Association for the Deaf (NAD).
August 16th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Dear Ladies And Gentlemen,
I am a hearing impaired citizen among other disabilities.
I’m also a part time middle Aged law student. From
personal experience including deliberate abuses of my
former employer Men’s Wear House, I believe the U.S.
Justice Department has a legal obligation to take action
to protect the rights of people with hearing impairments
and other disabilities.
I filed a Civil Rights complaint with the FBI and haven’t heard a thing regarding my complaint. I know the Bureau works very quietly on issues so I will give them
the time to do so. Meanwhile my rights as a hearing impaired citizen have also been intentionally violated by the CT State Labor Dept. on Unemployment Compensation. Now I don’t have or can afford an attorney for a hearing while my former employer has an attorney. The people at Hearing & Appeals make it almost impossible to reach them by phone.
I have been deliberately denied my rights as a disabled citizen by my former employer Men’s Wear House, and
the State of Connecticut Labor Dept.
I believe that the Justice Department should also address
public Accommodations for the Hearing Impaired.
August 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
As far they keep stronger laws on NAD to keep those attention for this century as usually so trying avoid any discrimination on deaf community as future.
August 16th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I SUPPORT ALL OF NAD’S RECOMMENDATIONS.AND FEEL THAT ADA SHOULD REQUIRE CERTIFIED INTERPRETERS FOR ALL MEDICALLY RELATED APPOINTMENTS. THE WORDING OF “MAY PROVIDE” OR “WRITTEN COMMUNICATION” IS NOT SUFFICIENT NOR A REPLACEMENT FOR AND ACTUAL INTERPRETER ESPECIALLY WHEN A DEAF PERSON’S HEALTH IS INVOLVED.
August 16th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I do heartily support all of NAD’s recommendations. I hope it would be appropriate to add to them another requirement that all DVDs be captioned.
The recent frustration for me was that I was thrilled to find out that education courses are now on DVDs but later was dismayed to learn that they are not captioned. Yes, they have transcripts to go with them. It’s not the same thing.
You would want to see professors’ lectures to be captioned on the same timeline — not going back and forth on transcripts which are time-consuming. The professors may have illustrations that are not provided on transcripts. We need to get full benefits from DVDs as intended by the educators and the best way to have such full benefits is through CAPTIONS.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I wrote a complaint letter to NAD about Divison Vocational Reb. who wont helped me to find a job.. she keep delay and delay and I keep asked her a nice communicate. but she turn against me. I want to change DVR need to stop into felony comment against her deaf community.
she prefer male only.. not female? I cannot figure out why she against me and told everone that I am against to take medicine for PTSD.
She violated of my right and wishes to go find a job and I don’t have PTSD. She lying to me many things for two years. I have not find a job hunting and now I am stuck and not able to find a job due to medicine costly for my daughter’s asthma inhaler
Encourage anyone have a problem with DVR cousnelor. PLEASE comment to DOJ which DVR is part of goverment.
They are ingnorance!!
August 16th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 16th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf.
“No deaf person should be left behind.”
Carole Moskowitz
August 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I support the comments of the NAD. I have noticed TV included CNN, movies, commericals, CARTOONS FOR DEAF CHILDREN, etc caption are disapeared.
NO DEAF CHILDREN AND PERSONS SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND!
Also I am told the government will CUT OFF SSI/SSDI for deaf, blind, disabilities, etc. We keep FIGHTING !!!!!!
Linda
August 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I strongly support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
August 16th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I support the nondiscrimination on the basis of disability including deafness when it comes to media or public communication arenas. I am
still not a whole person without equal public access whether I’m out and about in the
community or while sitting in the family room watching TV or movie houses that are not either
closed or open captioned or subtitled. What’s worse are inconvenient movie house schedules for open captioned films. Rear projection systems are NOT effective if device cannot be secured to your seat’s arm rest AND only in certain sitting areas.
Qualified sign language interpreters are in critical short supply. Too many times interpreter requests go unfilled, putting deaf people like me at a disadvantage.
Sincerely, Stephen Schultz, U.S. tax payer.
August 16th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I support the comments and efforts of the NAD.
August 16th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m 100% support the comments and efforts of the NAD
August 16th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I support with ADA law and NAD that what G.Bush signed
on ADA law in 1986 and keep contiue without exchange
Few time i need an interpreter for only reason because person’s handwritting mess up that i could not read .. i can read a print better than mess handwritting.
I do not support ssi and ssdi because i paid tax too much .. I got a good job for government . I really thank NAD work so hard for the deaf people and hard of hearing .. KEEP ADA LAW, please
August 16th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) toward improved access for all Deaf and Hard of Hearing….Please keep ADA law….. Thanks!
August 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and FMCSA regulation 391.41(b)(11) need to be revised please
August 16th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Yes, always support strong ADA Rules for Businesses as I believe Deaf/Hard of Hearing still always have rights to go through as if a hearing person can. Then why cannot we Deaf/Hard of Hearing? If hearing person cannot go through, try one of us Deaf/Hard of Hearing??
August 16th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I support 100% the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 16th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 17th, 2008 at 3:04 am
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf ( NAD) toward improved access for all deaf and hard of hearing. I want to tell you and all please keep to continued ( ADA) has not changed a commandment.
what if SSI people who are not work and will cut SSI? the company will not hire people who are deaf because of discrimination. I want to keep people who are deaf running of SSI.
thanks
August 17th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in the quality of better improvement of ADA rules for business to remove the communication barriers for deaf business owners like me.
I, myself, am profound deaf business owner running home-office service business that still have communication hardship dealing with BIG COMPANIES’ customer service support that lacks of understanding ADA law—hang up on me through relay service. I don’t live in a big city—just rural lifestyle with limited technology service providers such as high speed internet, cable TV, and telephone. I talk about no partnership with Verizon, Sprint, AT&T in my area.
I refuse to move closer to the largest deaf population area which is 100 miles away from my rural hometown due to high OUTRAGEOUS cost of living expense up there in a metro city.
What’s wrong with virtual assistance electronically with video capability—such as telecommuting and contract jobs i feel comfortable with lately-5 years after my laid off real job?
August 17th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I strongly support the comments made by the National Association of the Deaf in regards to the need for strong ADA rules for businesses.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Hello,
I strongly support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). However, I strongly feel that NAD is far behind in fighting for our rights compared to National Association of the Color People and other organiations. This step is a good move, but long overdue. It should have been done a long time ago.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, it’s very hard to get an equal opportunity job in accounting. I managed to get thru some hard times and got thru the doors at times, but it’s totally unacceptable what we deafie have to go thru. I’m laid off, on SSDI. Who’s fault is that? Of course, the government. Cause I can’t find a suitable job replacement that will pay the same salary that I made over 5 years ago. So, I started my own deaf tax service on the side. You can reach me at seapals@mindspring.com. My website is http://www.DeafTaxService.com. I have heard from deaf clients on how they have been discriminated on job, services and all apsects of life. Why can’t we do something what Color People association did? They were able to get Obama, Cliniton and McSame to come give a speech. NAD is far too behind in helping all of us. I have fight against big companies thru Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC is a BIG JOKE. They are not doing their jobs at all. We all can’t fight alone, but as a unity, we can fight one COMMON goal. As you see many people logged their support for NAD and share their experiences. But it’s hard to remember what they all want. If we all have one COMMON goal that NAD could fight for, it will most likely get thru. Just as history has showed us with Gallaudet DEAF president. Then, the students had one GOAL, “DEAF president”. And it came thru because the goal was simple enough to understand what they all want even though they all have different ideas. Maybe NAD should consult with Colored People Association and pay for some consulting. They might be able to help us. We need advanced management with NAD. We need pay positions at NAD. Otherwise, most positions at NAD are filled with retired deaf person and they dont have as much as desires as we younger deaf people do. They are pretty much set in life with a house, car and vacations. So they don’t fight as hard as a person who have little or nothing. That’s something we all need to think about.
Anyway, if you are in a need of tax service, come see me, don’t go to HR Block. They discrimate against deaf people by charging more money for taking the time to communicate with their clients or don’t do as a good job as I would. Contact me if you have any questions at seapals@mindspring.com.
GO DEAF!
Sean Maloney
August 17th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
WE, THE MEMBERS AND BOARD OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, STRONGLY SUPPORT THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF REGARDING THE A.D.A.
STEVE BALDWIN
PRESIDENT
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF
August 17th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I support the comments of National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
August 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I support the comments of National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
August 17th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I Support the Comments of National Association of the Deaf ( NAD )
August 17th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
This is what I submitted:
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Also all the other comments that NAD has promoted, please take the time to listen to them.
Think about the next generation of deaf people and their way of lives. We all want all people to have equal access to all facilities. It just makes everything easier for both sides.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Brian L. Mayes
August 17th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I support the comments offered by the National Association of the Deaf.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I strongly support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I fully suport all of the NAD requets.
After recent travels and problems with businesses not willing to recognize my Deafness in calling out names, or other areas where my Deafness is a block to service, I wish there was a simple way to report such violations and get action against such businesses.
Most important is that most theaters in NYC do not show any closed caption movies because of a closed door deal with Eliot Spitzer with a few theaters in NY State. Then the theaters who made the deal with Spitzer found ways not show CC movies when they said they would show them.
Public events not signed ASL or other ways to communication with Deaf partipants should get large fines for such violations.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Timothy Lunceford
August 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Everything sounds perfect. It is still little weak on job opportunities for any deaf people.
We NEED to see ADA organization provides proper education (workshop) on any major corporation, city, state, federal, job agencies and VR agencies to advocate deaf/HH for job search! as requirement like Sexual Harassment training and other trainings by Human Resources.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I strongly support comments from the National Association of the Deaf.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I support NAD, I do believe ADA needs to be stronger to provide more equal access everywhere. Espcially movies.
ADA has not be our strongest in a long time. Hope this time will be our strongest to keep equality for the community at large.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
On behalf of myself and the agency that I work for we strongly support the ideals of the National Association of the Deaf! We believe there needs to be more services provided for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities now.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for 100%%%%%%! Deaf people have their rights for equal access everywhere that is very important!
August 18th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I support comments of NAD. We do not have access to information in the workplace and are fired because the employer doesn’t want to pay for an interpreter. We are made fun of by others saying our hearing loss is “selective loss”. We are not allowed to hear a State wide emergency broadcast because it is not closed captioned. We are not aware of all the employment services at employment offices because none of their classes or programs are interpreted. None of the instructors know how to use assistive listening devices. We are accused of being incompetent in our jobs because we did not hear an instruction that was not written down or signed to us. We are accused of slowing down the meetings because people have to talk into the assistive listening device microphone. We are not included in city wide events or national events unless someone has the forsight to close caption the event so we can understand what is going on. It needs to stop! We need accessiblity and understanding. We are the silent majority and yet our voices are not being heard!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
On behalf of the Connecticut Assocition of the Deaf (CAD), we, the members & Board, strongly support the comments of the National Association of the Deaf. Overduely, our Deaf people need to meet our rights for equal access.
Patti Wilson
President
Connecticut Association of the Deaf
August 19th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I vote YES! DOJ do it right now!
August 25th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I support and appreciate NAD for the support on ADA Law as there are so many other suggestions and motions needs to be added as so many deaf person have married hearing spouses or deaf spouses should be required to have interpreter to know what is going on especially in the medically / emergency issue.
Need to have a stronger impact in the ADA Law for deafs who applies for job that they have a chance to work and not be rejected and including the Doctors not rejected the patient if he / she finds out that the patient is deaf - refuse to treat them - that is discrimination 100 % cuz he / she don’t want to be bother to follow ADA Law or provide interpreter. There should be a stronger law that Drs. should not have any staff who can sign but not Certified Interpreter - to do the communication at all or should be fine.
As for VPI - need to lower their voice to where the Drs. and nurses can hear cuz other patients and people can hear it out in the hall or next door cuz of the sounds too loud. Where is the privacy??
Driver Motor Vehicle - should have interpreter for just eye test and for information but not during the test. If the person is foreigner and can’t read English or understand English - too bad - do not need to take the test till they learn to read and understand English. Why 1 deaf had an interpreter helped to cheat to passed the test and she is not an citizen. Not Right !!!!
Court Issue - anyone who is over 65 and not up to date with RID membership or have health issue like breathing problem relating to smoking / asthma or heart problem should not be working as Certified Interpreter in the court house at all or even in the hospital.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hi everyone,
I would like to know if there’s any deaf grantwriters somewhere in the Pacific Northwest region? If you happen to know of some.
Please do allow me to know because I would like to get a grant proposal setup for going into organic farm business educating the public about health awareness, etc.
Thank for your awesome assistance to help my project get going. I’ve really appericate that
David Galyean
herbfella@aol.com
September 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I support the comments offered by the NAD and the rest of the comments by the deaf communmity as well. The voice need to be heard!
September 27th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I support and appreciate NAD for the support of ADA Law.
i would like to add there still several areas in the business world and publ;ic places that are still not being addressed. First, all drive in coffee shops do not have any acommadations for people who do not hear. If you really want a cup of coffee you have no choice but to go into the place on the shop and point out what you want.There is no text ordering device for deaf people who want to equally drive through like other normal people. What about the airports. If you are sitting in the airline terminal, an area just before boarding and there is an overhead annoucement the deaf or hard of hearing people doesn’t get it. He/she just see a large crowd going to the terminal desk and hasn’t a clue to what has just happen. What about the supermarkets who make frequent bargain annoucemnts and the deaf or heard of hearing person is shopping in the same store misses out on the sale because they couldn’t hear it. What about persons who attend churches of all creeds attend religious education and they don’t have access to someone who can sign, children are segreted to attend a place where there is deaf services and not allowed the same opportunity to be part of his community which is their home. What about the deaf or hard of hearing person who has to buy a new car. Car dealer ships are not equipped to deal with a deaf or hard of hearing person and let alone a good representation to offering gagets that will enhance their driving experience. What about the emergency room visit that happens late at nght and the wee hours of the morning and there is not anavailable interpretor and you have to make important decisions but lack all the necessary information due to communication problems. I could go on and on but the bottom line is there is still a lot of things that get missed in daily life. I have been deaf since I was two years old and proud to say a RN-Nurse for over twenty-fours years and if there is another hearing impaired nurse out there, please e-mail me with your thought. I would love to receive an e-mail from you. Donna Pyne,RN