howardwoodsjr
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- Mar 10, 2004
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Howard L. Woods Jr.
401 W. Seminole Blvd. #256
Sanford, FL 32771
howardwoodsjr@hotmail.com
I am writing to you in need of some assistance that I believe will not only benefit myself; but will surely benefit you as well as the deaf & hard of hearing citizens in the US and possibly around the world.
Here are some of the things that concern me as a hard of hearing individual. I’m quite sure that the "General Public" would surely agree with me on my concerns. I believe that the "General Public" isn’t aware of these things that we don’t have certain rights to, as well as certain problems that could arise for those are either deaf or hard of hearing. I will be addressing these issues by using my own personal experiences and using certain situations that I think are viable for our lives that we don’t have rights to.
I am aware that we have rights under the "Americans With Disabilities Act"; but I strongly believe that it doesn’t do enough to provide us with enough rights as an American that has hearing disabilities. We need more than the "ADA" that is supposed to help those that are deaf and hard of hearing to have a more comfortable lifestyle to be able to live our lives away from home.
Concerns:
1.) Airline Industry: I know that the aviation industry is protected by the ADA. My concerns are with the technology that we have, would it be too much to ask for a captioning device of some kind on some of the commercial aircrafts so those that are deaf or hard of hearing would understand what the pilot is saying whenever he addresses the passengers? It’s usually embarrassing to have to wonder what is going on when the pilot is saying something, and then I have to ask the stewardess or another passenger what the pilot said. I often think about those that were on the flights during 9/11 and I’ve read that during their turmoil that they were able to call for help, call their loved ones to say goodbye, and had the ability to communicate with the outside world, whereas a deaf or hard of hearing passengers would not have had this right and we paid the same amount for the seats as those that aren’t disabled. It pains me to think of having to been on one of those flights not being able to communicate with anyone, or to possibly understand what was going on, more or less be able to contact loved ones myself. Another concern in this area as well is there aren’t any captioning devices I’ve ever seen while traveling by plane at the airport terminal that would assist someone that was deaf or hard of hearing in boarding the plane.
I used to have to walk around and try to find someone that had a boarding pass that was close to mine in seating arrangements so I would know it was my turn to board. Now, I’ve had the courage to walk up right when they start boarding the plane and I would let the flight attendant know that I’m hearing impaired and that I cannot hear when they call the boarding numbers and they would let me board at that time. I know that the airline industry has provided "closed captioning" on their screens for the safety instructions to instruct the deaf or hard of hearing, as the flight attendants are describing to those who can hear before the departure. However, most of the movies shown on the flights don’t have closed captioning and I’m expected as an hard of hearing individual to pay the same fee as those who can hear and understand the movies which I don’t think is fair because I need the captioning to understand what’s being said during the movie. I’ve flown out of several different airports across this country and had the courage to ask the information booth at the airports if they have any ASL interpreters available for the deaf and hard of hearing and they often say, "no we don’t" and that baffles me because there is no attempt for proper communication between the hearing and those who have a hearing disability. I do believe that if I am given the chance to bring this to attention to the "General Public" somehow and some changes were made to make the deaf and hard of hearing more comfortable to fly it would definitely encourage us to do so. I have different scenes that would describe the urgency for better communication to be available for those that are deaf or hard of hearing. If these issues were addressed, it would definitely help those that are deaf and hard of hearing into feeling safe while flying. I believe that more deaf and hard of hearing citizens would use fly and help the already slumping airline economy. I am sure that there are many other deaf and hard of hearing citizens that feel the same way I do and that’s why we probably choose not to fly as a source of traveling away from home.
2.) Movie Theaters: I know that there are dedicated theaters that do show "closed captioning" movies across the country. However, it’s a known fact that those that are deaf and hard of hearing have to wait several weeks or months to see a movie that had been released to the "General Public." With the technology we have not only in this country; but around the world, there is no need for the deaf and hard of hearing citizens have to wait for it to come out on DVD, VHS, or on cable television. I firmly believe that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens have the right to see the same movie that the "General Public" gets to see when it has been released. What happens to the ten-year-old child that is deaf or hard of hearing, and they are on a field trip, or with their family and they wanted to see "Finding Nemo" when it was released; but didn’t have the right to do so since there isn’t any "closed captioning" available at that time to help that child understand what is being said during the movie. There are too many ways I could begin to describe the urgency to some how make some kind of changes to accommodate the deaf and hard of hearing to be able to see a movie in the theaters the same time others are seeing it. I am sure that with the attention brought forth in this matter would make the "General Public" understand that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens want to go to the movies just like anyone else. Another belief that many people have is that if there was the opportunity for the deaf and hard of hearing to see a movie on its first release date or any date for that matter would definitely increase the economy in the motion picture industry. There isn’t any advertising that promotes "dedicated theaters" unless you find it online, and not everyone has access to the internet. You never see any movie theaters advertising "closed captioning" movies being shown in the newspapers, radio, and on television to let us know it’s available.
3.) General Communication: There is a fairly broad range of concerns in the communications area between those that can hear and those that have difficulty in doing so. As I’ve already mentioned the lack of respect in the aviation industry. I can say from my personal experiences as far as communicating with the outside world is difficult and I know that others can and will understand where I am coming from.
I am sure everyone realizes that the call boxes on the major interstates across the country are only accessible by someone that can hear. There isn’t anything that provides any communication access for those that are deaf or hard of hearing using these call boxes. You see signs posted along the interstate with an emergency number that you can call by using your cell phone. Deaf and hard of hearing citizens don’t have a communication device that helps us in emergency situations or any other situations that may arise when we are away from home.
What if there was a deaf family traveling and they needed some assistance; but have no resources available to do so. There are many other ways to bring this to the public’s attention. We spend millions and millions of dollars on the interstate system across the country that everyone uses and we don’t have the same resources available to us in case of emergencies or other related incidents. I have come up with ideas that would benefit the deaf and hard of hearing and our abilities to communicate with the outside world which would make us feel better and safer in our environment away from home. The only main source of communication that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens currently have with the outside world is the use of a TTY machine. We cannot use this machine just anywhere.
This letter is my way of reaching out and speaking about concerns that I do not see being addressed. The "General Public" needs to be more aware of the rights that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens are being neglected of. Issues that could easily be resolved with one stroke of a senators hand. A bill perhaps? A way in which the "American Public" aren’t always treated as equals. Whether it’s blacks, whites, or anyone in-between. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Nothing more would please me than to have some guidance or assistance in making these concerns known to the "General Public" and possibly around the world. I believe that I can make a difference if only given the opportunity to do so. I am sure there are numerous citizen’s that can or cannot hear that will value my input and appreciate this battle I am prepared to fight for the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing citizens. I have often thought about starting a non-profit organization that would benefit those that are deaf and hard of hearing in many different aspects of our daily activities. Believe me, I know that there are state, federal government agencies, and organizations that are doing what they can; but to me it’s simply not enough and there is a need for a change.
If you are interested in helping me make my voice be heard or would like any more information about what it is I want to achieve with this, please feel free to contact me via mail or email.
Very truly yours,
Howard L. Woods Jr.
401 W. Seminole Blvd. #256
Sanford, FL 32771
howardwoodsjr@hotmail.com
I am writing to you in need of some assistance that I believe will not only benefit myself; but will surely benefit you as well as the deaf & hard of hearing citizens in the US and possibly around the world.
Here are some of the things that concern me as a hard of hearing individual. I’m quite sure that the "General Public" would surely agree with me on my concerns. I believe that the "General Public" isn’t aware of these things that we don’t have certain rights to, as well as certain problems that could arise for those are either deaf or hard of hearing. I will be addressing these issues by using my own personal experiences and using certain situations that I think are viable for our lives that we don’t have rights to.
I am aware that we have rights under the "Americans With Disabilities Act"; but I strongly believe that it doesn’t do enough to provide us with enough rights as an American that has hearing disabilities. We need more than the "ADA" that is supposed to help those that are deaf and hard of hearing to have a more comfortable lifestyle to be able to live our lives away from home.
Concerns:
1.) Airline Industry: I know that the aviation industry is protected by the ADA. My concerns are with the technology that we have, would it be too much to ask for a captioning device of some kind on some of the commercial aircrafts so those that are deaf or hard of hearing would understand what the pilot is saying whenever he addresses the passengers? It’s usually embarrassing to have to wonder what is going on when the pilot is saying something, and then I have to ask the stewardess or another passenger what the pilot said. I often think about those that were on the flights during 9/11 and I’ve read that during their turmoil that they were able to call for help, call their loved ones to say goodbye, and had the ability to communicate with the outside world, whereas a deaf or hard of hearing passengers would not have had this right and we paid the same amount for the seats as those that aren’t disabled. It pains me to think of having to been on one of those flights not being able to communicate with anyone, or to possibly understand what was going on, more or less be able to contact loved ones myself. Another concern in this area as well is there aren’t any captioning devices I’ve ever seen while traveling by plane at the airport terminal that would assist someone that was deaf or hard of hearing in boarding the plane.
I used to have to walk around and try to find someone that had a boarding pass that was close to mine in seating arrangements so I would know it was my turn to board. Now, I’ve had the courage to walk up right when they start boarding the plane and I would let the flight attendant know that I’m hearing impaired and that I cannot hear when they call the boarding numbers and they would let me board at that time. I know that the airline industry has provided "closed captioning" on their screens for the safety instructions to instruct the deaf or hard of hearing, as the flight attendants are describing to those who can hear before the departure. However, most of the movies shown on the flights don’t have closed captioning and I’m expected as an hard of hearing individual to pay the same fee as those who can hear and understand the movies which I don’t think is fair because I need the captioning to understand what’s being said during the movie. I’ve flown out of several different airports across this country and had the courage to ask the information booth at the airports if they have any ASL interpreters available for the deaf and hard of hearing and they often say, "no we don’t" and that baffles me because there is no attempt for proper communication between the hearing and those who have a hearing disability. I do believe that if I am given the chance to bring this to attention to the "General Public" somehow and some changes were made to make the deaf and hard of hearing more comfortable to fly it would definitely encourage us to do so. I have different scenes that would describe the urgency for better communication to be available for those that are deaf or hard of hearing. If these issues were addressed, it would definitely help those that are deaf and hard of hearing into feeling safe while flying. I believe that more deaf and hard of hearing citizens would use fly and help the already slumping airline economy. I am sure that there are many other deaf and hard of hearing citizens that feel the same way I do and that’s why we probably choose not to fly as a source of traveling away from home.
2.) Movie Theaters: I know that there are dedicated theaters that do show "closed captioning" movies across the country. However, it’s a known fact that those that are deaf and hard of hearing have to wait several weeks or months to see a movie that had been released to the "General Public." With the technology we have not only in this country; but around the world, there is no need for the deaf and hard of hearing citizens have to wait for it to come out on DVD, VHS, or on cable television. I firmly believe that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens have the right to see the same movie that the "General Public" gets to see when it has been released. What happens to the ten-year-old child that is deaf or hard of hearing, and they are on a field trip, or with their family and they wanted to see "Finding Nemo" when it was released; but didn’t have the right to do so since there isn’t any "closed captioning" available at that time to help that child understand what is being said during the movie. There are too many ways I could begin to describe the urgency to some how make some kind of changes to accommodate the deaf and hard of hearing to be able to see a movie in the theaters the same time others are seeing it. I am sure that with the attention brought forth in this matter would make the "General Public" understand that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens want to go to the movies just like anyone else. Another belief that many people have is that if there was the opportunity for the deaf and hard of hearing to see a movie on its first release date or any date for that matter would definitely increase the economy in the motion picture industry. There isn’t any advertising that promotes "dedicated theaters" unless you find it online, and not everyone has access to the internet. You never see any movie theaters advertising "closed captioning" movies being shown in the newspapers, radio, and on television to let us know it’s available.
3.) General Communication: There is a fairly broad range of concerns in the communications area between those that can hear and those that have difficulty in doing so. As I’ve already mentioned the lack of respect in the aviation industry. I can say from my personal experiences as far as communicating with the outside world is difficult and I know that others can and will understand where I am coming from.
I am sure everyone realizes that the call boxes on the major interstates across the country are only accessible by someone that can hear. There isn’t anything that provides any communication access for those that are deaf or hard of hearing using these call boxes. You see signs posted along the interstate with an emergency number that you can call by using your cell phone. Deaf and hard of hearing citizens don’t have a communication device that helps us in emergency situations or any other situations that may arise when we are away from home.
What if there was a deaf family traveling and they needed some assistance; but have no resources available to do so. There are many other ways to bring this to the public’s attention. We spend millions and millions of dollars on the interstate system across the country that everyone uses and we don’t have the same resources available to us in case of emergencies or other related incidents. I have come up with ideas that would benefit the deaf and hard of hearing and our abilities to communicate with the outside world which would make us feel better and safer in our environment away from home. The only main source of communication that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens currently have with the outside world is the use of a TTY machine. We cannot use this machine just anywhere.
This letter is my way of reaching out and speaking about concerns that I do not see being addressed. The "General Public" needs to be more aware of the rights that the deaf and hard of hearing citizens are being neglected of. Issues that could easily be resolved with one stroke of a senators hand. A bill perhaps? A way in which the "American Public" aren’t always treated as equals. Whether it’s blacks, whites, or anyone in-between. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Nothing more would please me than to have some guidance or assistance in making these concerns known to the "General Public" and possibly around the world. I believe that I can make a difference if only given the opportunity to do so. I am sure there are numerous citizen’s that can or cannot hear that will value my input and appreciate this battle I am prepared to fight for the rights of the deaf and hard of hearing citizens. I have often thought about starting a non-profit organization that would benefit those that are deaf and hard of hearing in many different aspects of our daily activities. Believe me, I know that there are state, federal government agencies, and organizations that are doing what they can; but to me it’s simply not enough and there is a need for a change.
If you are interested in helping me make my voice be heard or would like any more information about what it is I want to achieve with this, please feel free to contact me via mail or email.
Very truly yours,
Howard L. Woods Jr.
