Advocacy Hot Topics

File an FCC Complaint on Closed Captioned TV Programs

What do the District of Columbia Association of the Deaf, the California Association of the Deaf and the Pennsylvania Association of the Deaf have in common? They took action! They as an organization filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging them to support the NAD and other organizations' petition for better quality captioning. Join others by sending in your comments in support of the petition. Go to www.nad.org/captioningaction. Go Deaf America!



Air Carriers and Access For Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Air Travel Access The NAD has been working hard on air travel access. The NAD and other consumer organizations have filed documents with the Department of Transportation (DOT) arguing that deaf and hard of hearing air travelers should have the same access as hearing air travelers. For example, video media on airlines should be captioned. Televisions in airports should have the captioned feature turned on as well. There are other access issues as well. There is, however, a problem. Airlines are opposed to ensuring access. They are now trying to persuade the DOT that captioning is, among other things, too complicated and expensive. The NAD is urging consumers to file comments with the DOT informing them that captioning and other access issues are important and that the DOT should support the NAD position. It's easy! Follow the instructions at: http://www.NAD.org/AirTravelAction If you want more information, go to: http://www.NAD.org/AirTravel Because of the positive response from members on last week's video, we made another short video in American Sign Language (with captioning!) explaining this issue at: http://blogs.nad.org/advocacy/ (I used a web cam for this video, so it may be blurry).



Warning and Important Information

On or after January 1, 2007, if you do not have CC on any TV program please report it to the FCC. Make sure you write down the name of the program, what time, and what channel. The FCC can then investigate and if they find no CC on the TV program then can fine $250,000. Federal Communication Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 888-225-5322 (voice) 888-835-5322 (tty) www.fcc.gov/crb/dro