Caption frustrations at work

So my company, who shall remain nameless, rolled out a mandatory training video about respect in the workplace, discrimination, and harassment. The video had no captions, and no DVD with captions was available to borrow. I asked for a transcript and was told one was not available.

I watched the video at my desk, which must have annoyed my coworkers (high volume), and then sent another email to my HR people chastising them for presenting a video that dealt with discrimination against protected classes of people that was entirely inaccessible to hearing impaired (yes, I intentionally used this term in my email even though I find it mildly offensive). Gee, I'm glad we don't employ anyone who is more deaf than I...

Yet another example of Deaf issues being ignored by a company large enough to know better.

Comments

Liz said…
I experienced the same problem at my workplace. I politely informed my supervisor that I absolutely refuse to watch videos without captions and that they must find captioned videos, transcripts, or alternative ways to train me. My supervisor immediately ordered a transcript for videos and I began my training within a week. From then on, everything went perfectly fine :)
July 16, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Aaron said…
I dealt with it perhaps too politely this time, but my letter assures them I find this completely inexcusable and will certainly assert my rights in the future.
July 16, 2007 at 7:16 PM
Cindy said…
I took a class called, "Disability and Society" for my Sociology degree years ago. Wouldn't you know it, it was NOT captioned! The entire class found that ironic.

Cindy

http://beethovensears.com
August 23, 2007 at 9:55 PM
Anonymous said…
I was already HOH before I started where I currently work and they know this. My needs have changed in the last 2 years now. If I need to contact a Supervisor from where I'm working I have to go up to them, as I can't hear no longer on their phones like I use to. Even though some are ideal for hearing aid wearers with the same deafness as me. After I realised I could use a Lipspeaker as an interpretur last year, I decided I was going to ask for one everytime I'm in a training session that lasts an hour or more and I've been fobbed off. Alternative arrangements were done, but they still broke the DDA. But I was fine with it, although annoyed, as I could hear this person well and lipread if I need to. But next year I shall have to make a stand for myself. Because if I'm expected to go on a Fire Lecture, then I will need an interpretur as the bloke doing it is not the same one as before, so I won't know if I will be able to hear or lipread him.If I don't get one. I won't attend, and will probablly have to take the matter further.
November 21, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New hearing aids - Rexton Cobalt 16

I picked up my new hearing aids today and thought I would post my initial thoughts. First, let's take a little journey back in time to understand some of my history. I got my first set of ears 10 years ago. They were the Senso+ model in the CIC (completely-in-the-canal) size, made by Widex. They were almost invisible and functioned fairly well, but after four years they were no longer powerful enough to keep up with my progressive loss, so I got a new set. The new set were Phonak Claro ITE (in-the-ear) models, and were far more technologically advanced, and also far larger and more noticeable. I was able to control the volume and choose programs using my Phonak wristwatch. I have worn these for about five years now, but again my hearing loss has outgrown the volume possible with these models. Fast forward to present day. I recently bought a pair of Rexton Cobalt 16 (same as Siemens Pure 700) and a bluetooth remote control that Rexton calls an RCU (same as the Siemens Tek). The...
Read more

ASL class starts today - Level TWO!!

I am really excited about taking the level 2 class this year. We were all really worried that it wasn't going to happen since we needed a minimum number of people and a couple people from level 1 moved away over the summer. So it is very welcome news that the class is happening, and I am really looking forward to taking my ASL to the next level!!
Read more

New Marvel Processors by Advanced Bionics - Review

 It has been about 7 years since I received my first cochlear implant.  I chose Advanced Bionics in 2014 and received their Q70 processor at activation.  This was their first processor based on Phonak technology, since both companies are owned by Sonova. The Q70 was a very good processor, and coupled with their HiRes Fidelity 120 programming strategy, I enjoyed good appreciation of music.  I use the Optima-P strategy in particular.  The processor was much smaller than the previous Harmony processor, and featured a much smaller, if fragile, t-mic2.  The t-mic is arguably the best feature offered by AB.  It is a microphone that hangs by a wire, and is positioned near the ear canal, allowing me to use headphones and mobile phones normally, by positioning the speaker where everyone else would hold it, instead of having to hold the speakers up near the top of the ear, where traditional mics are placed. With the Q70, I was able to use Bluetooth devices, but ...
Read more