Cellphones, TV must be more accessible to blind, deaf: CRTC

I just read some of the comments on that website. Wow, such ignorance.
 
damn right lets make our tv more accessible to the blind they need to know what they're missing,, all that quality broadcasting its imperative... and nuts to deaf people. they dont need a cell phone
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Geez.
 
I just left a comment on the CBC website.

I have to say something here. The amount of ignorance here is just plainly unacceptable. People are flapping their lips without knowing what they are talking about.

There is a significant number of deaf customers subscribing to at least one of the carriers in Canada. The pricing plans available to the public are simply unfair, especially to the deaf and hard of hearing who will never need to make a phone call.

All they need is an accessiblity plan including unlimited text messaging and internet/data. That's all they would ever need.

The fact is, a large number of deaf Canadians are paying for the voice plan that they will never, never use. But what choice do they have when it comes to owning a mobile phone? Not much. They are forced to put up with it if they want to carry a mobile phone.

Why on Earth should a deaf person have to pay for a voice plan when all they want is an unlimited text messaging and e-mail/data plan?

It just doesn't make any sense. The only thing that makes sense is that it's a great opportunity for the companies to squeeze more money out of the deaf customers. They do it because they can. It's completely legal. So why not? It doesn't make it right though. It's immoral, simple and plain.

Canadians are kidding themselves into thinking they are being overcharged and forced to kick the bill for the deaf and hard of hearing. The truth is, it's the deaf and hard of hearing customers who are subsidizing everybody else's phone plans. They pay far, far more than the average hearing customer will ever have to.

That's the sad truth and to have the hearing people bash the deaf and blind Canadians for demanding more accessibliity is just even sadder. So much for the so-called claim of diversity and tolerance that so many proudly brand themselves with.
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There, I said it.
 
Welcome to Canada. That's the viewpoint a lot of us are faced with everyday. :lol: Mostly from the 30+ people though. The 30 under crowd don't have the same viewpoints. My response? (I need to get an account on CBC and reply. :p)

To me, it is important to be able to understand these voice mails so I can continue to provide a high quality service in the workforce and therefore be able to pay taxes, stay off of welfare and contribute by being an active and responsible citizen of Canada; something to think about for people that are complaining about taxes or rise in service fees.
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My experience is usually is that usually people are supportive of budget, increase in taxes and so on if it is going to help to relieve stress off of social security. ;) So when you make an economic argument like that, usually hearing people (or any taxpayers) get behind these causes.
 
souggy said:
Welcome to Canada. That's the viewpoint a lot of us are faced with everyday. :lol: Mostly from the 30+ people though. The 30 under crowd don't have the same viewpoints. My response? (I need to get an account on CBC and reply. :p)

My experience is usually is that usually people are supportive of budget, increase in taxes and so on if it is going to help to relieve stress off of social security. ;) So when you make an economic argument like that, usually hearing people (or any taxpayers) get behind these causes.
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I rarely comment on news articles. However, the comments that were left on the page made me gag. So I had to sign up for an account and give them a piece of my mind.

It's just hard to believe how ignorant people are, especially these of my age. I'm 25 by the way. So yes, I do come across a good number of people, even teenagers who are this ignorant. It's pretty sad.
 
Banjo said:
I rarely comment on news articles. However, the comments that were left on the page made me gag. So I had to sign up for an account and give them a piece of my mind.

It's just hard to believe how ignorant people are, especially these of my age. I'm 25 by the way. So yes, I do come across a good number of people, even teenagers who are this ignorant. It's pretty sad.
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True, but most of my discrimination experience comes from people who are old enough to be working for awhile and supporting a family. There is ignorance at all level, but yeah... I know what you are talking about.

Anyway I replied with

You guys don't think beyond your net income, do you?

With the onset of SMS and cellphone technology, landline and TTY are becoming obsolete. I have voice mail and I don't use a landline, since I could use text messaging thus no use for a TTY, but I still would like to understand what the voice mails left behind on my cell are. To me, it is important to be able to understand these voice mails so I can continue to provide a high quality service in the workforce and therefore be able to pay taxes, stay off of welfare and contribute by being an active and responsible citizen of Canada; something to think about for people that are complaining about taxes or rise in service fees. On top of that, if these people happens to become blind or deaf through old age or through accidents or traumas, the services are in place to make an easier transition to their new reality.
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That's a good response. It's true, there is ignorance in all age ranges and on all levels. The point you made regarding voicemails is something I completely agree with.

It's just sad that people have to whine over something like this. Even worse, we have to fight and fight to get what need while facing so much criticism from the other side. It's not a piece of cake, I'll say.
 
I know. You think people would get behind the most obvious and most righteous thing to do, but the only thing people seem to listen to is money. Money, money, money.

For example... I remember a friend and I tried to get a workshop going so we could help the Deaf community in our hometown to become computer-literate. We went around to a few private companies. They didn't understand why we wanted to get a workshop going, so we argued that if we teach the Deaf people how to use a computer, they can get better jobs and become more efficient employees. So we got sponsors. :) The workshop never happened because apparently people thought they were going to get free personal computers for home use and basically ran the whole effort into the ground. But that is another story for another day.

But yeah, it seems to be the only way we get our rights anywhere is by making an economic argument. So hopefully people will see that VoIP to text = better employees = less strain on welfare = money used toward better services elsewhere. :\
 
souggy said:
The workshop never happened because apparently people thought they were going to get free personal computers for home use and basically ran the whole effort into the ground. But that is another story for another day.
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Not really surprised that people would think they were getting free computers. I don't like to say it, but some deaf people are just accustomed to freebies. I have a full-time job with benefits along with a mortgage on a house.

It's a pity that you did not succeed with the workshop.
 
Banjo said:
That's still under review by the CRTC and it'll probably be a good while.
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The VRS is supposed to be available to us later this year but some people who have deep and inside knowledge in this matter, have told me that the Bell Canada and Telus want to postpone it to 2010.
 
Royale said:
The VRS is supposed to be available to us later this year but some people who have deep and inside knowledge in this matter, have told me that the Bell Canada and Telus want to postpone it to 2010.
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Yes, I heard the same. Although, I am concerned because there is already a widespreads shortage of interpreters across the province of Ontario. We really need to start recruiting for more interpreters.
 
:hug: to each of you who posted here and on the website.

It does mean a lot to this DeafBlind chica!!

:ily: Thank you very much for advocating for better communication for everyone.
 
Royale said:
The VRS is supposed to be available to us later this year but some people who have deep and inside knowledge in this matter, have told me that the Bell Canada and Telus want to postpone it to 2010.
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Banjo and Royale, thank you for info on new VRS. All of deaf Canadian can't wait to get it. I know that they need more interpreters for new VRS.
 
I just posted another comment. There are far, far more ignorant comments on it compared to last night.

Deaf and blind Canadians are responsible for paying for pretty much everything on their own. Hearing aids, fire alarms, doorbells and such that are equipped for the deaf. Do you realize how much they all cost? Also keep in mind that a lot of people with disabilities hold full-time jobs, pay their own bills and everything without asking for any assistance.

Much, much more than the measly $9.99 fire alarms people can buy at their local Canadian Tire stores. Way beyond than one would possibly imagine.

It's around $150 plus taxes to get a decent fire alarm along with an extra $300 for a single receiver with strobes to signal that there is a fire occurring within the house. But all a hearing person is to pay $10 for a fire alarm because they can hear it. A decent hearing aid can cost someone around $1,500. So that would come to around $3,000 for a pair. A lot of insurance carriers won't even pay beyond $500 altogether. The government only go up to $500 per hearing aid.

Whenever someone goes off on a rant about how they have to pay for all of our needs because it's not true. We pay the most for all of it. Even closed captioning on most Canadian channels are funded by corporate sponsors, not the government like some would like to believe. The government will do its part in assisting a deaf Canadian if help is asked for in some situations. For instance, a hearing aid. Especially these who are in a lower tax bracket.

I, a deaf Canadian, am a taxpayer. I don't rely on any form of welfare. I hold a full-time job. I own my own car. I have a mortgage on a house. I don't rely on anyone to pay for my needs.

It is completely ridiciolous of people to complain about something they don't have a clue about. Not to mention that it is offensive to be lumped into a single category.
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There's some Americans (in US) are very unfriendly to deaf people, I had been experience like that and Canada isn't alone.

It's good news about government take action to give more accessible for deaf and hard of hearing people.
 
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