Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!mintaka!yale!bunker!wtm From: kjcole@well.sf.ca.us (Kevin Cole) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: CNN Closed Captioning Message-ID: <18518@bunker.isc-br.com> Date: 10 Apr 91 04:50:54 GMT References: <18408@bunker.isc-br.com> Sender: news@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: kjcole@well.sf.ca.us (Kevin Cole) Lines: 77 Approved: wtm@hcap.fidonet.org Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference Index Number: 14643 from: apple!gallua.BITNET!11ACOHEN "A.B.C." 23-JAN-1991 12:27 subj: Write to CNN New's for CC! (I did my best, need your HELP!) Let me explain what had happened to me when I tried to make some calls to CNN to ask for their explaination for not caption their news. I called CNN's Washington branch to inquire about lack of close captioning of their Gulf War coverage. They said, "We don't close caption our shows and please call to the Headquarters in Atlanta." Then, I called CNN's Headquarters in Atlanta, GA via TEDI relay operator and I got several harsh remarks. I got hung up three times and then asked for Public Relations Department. All I got was "We don't close caption our shows because it deemed to be unneccesary". Boy, TEDI and I were fumed! Then, I thought of calling NCI.... After contacting NCI (National Captioning Institute) in Falls Church, VA and asked about why CNN doesn't caption their shows. The NCI explained that they did OFFER the service, but CNN declined and said it was not neccessary to caption their news. I pleaded NCI to give me the letter of this situation. The NCI refused and said it was a very sensitive topic and don't want to be involved by giving me the information. I was dumped. Then, I decided to call Washington Post, after they made so many articles about CNN's glamourous coverage on Gulf War and its reporters. I thought of calling Howard Kurtz, the writer who wrote "On the Line" articles about CNN in Style sections. Guess what? An assistant of Howard Kurtz hung up on me two times, then with my persistence and fuming Russian temper of mine, I told TEDI to not let them to hang up on me before I have something to say.... Then I explained the CNN's irony... CNN has an accessibility to obtain Gulf War's coverage and able to share with the public. Yet, not as accessible for millions of hearing-impaired television viewers all over in nation. Then, the assistant of Washington Post's staff writer Howard Kurtz, told me that this message will be passed along to Mr. Kurtz. That's it. I rammed the assistant by asking if this information will be published in Washington Post. The assistant said this could not be guaranteed to be published. She REFERRED me to Editorial department. I feel like I was going nowhere... I have made more than 10 different attempts to make myself heard. I realize that a little person like me are definitely OPPRESSED and NEGLECTED. Now, I am tired... if you guys feel that CNN should be close captioned. Then... don't talk now... ACT now! Write the letters to CNN... Write the editorial letters to Washington Post. Bugging Howard Kurtz of Washington Post to make sure he writes an article of CNN's irony for not making it as accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing television viewers. Please I personally can't fight this alone... its not like a glamorous David and Goliath war... its a war of the Deaf Community civil rights against the large company... the CNN. If you all want this to happen... I want to see the action... I am more than willing to organize this only if I have lots of willing able-bodied die hard students like you. Thanks ABC -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Cole | Bitnet: CADS_COLE@GALLUA.BITNET Gallaudet Research Institute | Internet: KJCOLE@GALLUX.GALLAUDET.EDU Washingon, DC 20002 | UUCP: ...!psuvax!gallua.bitnet!kjcole