CSD Dupes Chicago Airport Regarding VRS Users
I'm sure it's no surprise to regular readers that CSD continues to
oppress hard of hearing people and impede their acquisition of appropriate
relay services by claiming that Video Relay Service (VRS) serves them.
It's getting to be an old and tired refrain. Their latest press release
says that VRS offers "the most sophisticated level of
communication access possible for deaf and hard of hearing travelers."
Here's the CSD press release.
I've already sent my objections to these deceptions to CSD's Derric
Miller (dsmiller@c-s-d.org). I'm sure he'd love to hear from you as well!
Here's my letter:
~~~~~~
Hi Derric,
The recent CSD press release regarding
the VRS installation at the Chicago airport is disingenuous and deceptive,
and oppressive to the 97% of people with hearing loss who don't sign.
The statement that VRS offers "the
most sophisticated level of communication access possible for deaf and
hard of hearing travelers" is just flat untrue. Unfortunately, the general
public believes this propaganda and thinks that a solution that is
appropriate for the tiny portion of the hearing loss community for whom
you advocate, is in fact appropriate for all. The misconceptions that you
cause prevent hard of hearing people from having access to truly
appropriate technology that actually does provide functionally equivalent
telecommunications access.
Responsible organizations in the hearing
loss community have recently acknowledged as much and retracted their
offensive propaganda. You can read about how TDI took the high road at
http://tinyurl.com/2xgklt
I sincerely hope that you will choose the
ethical path, retract your deceptive press release, and join the community
of upstanding hearing loss organizations that truly support the Deaf and
hard of hearing community.
Best wishes,
Larry
~~~~~~
Terry Portis, the Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of
America (formerly SHHH) has also stepped up and objected to this travesty.
And he has vowed to contact the airport folks and let them know that the
VRS system is really appropriate for only a tiny fraction of "Deaf and
hard of hearing" travelers.
Here's Terry's note.
