Advocates for deaf sue Redskins

[WoodysGirl]

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- Advocates for the deaf are suing the Washington Redskins to get them to offer closed-captioning during games at FedEx Field.

The National Association of the Deaf filed the class-action lawsuit Aug. 31 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on behalf of three Maryland fans who regularly attend home games.

"Providing captioning is not rocket science; it is simple, and it is the right thing to do," Shane Feldman said in a statement. Fedlman was joined in the suit by Paul Singleton and Brian M. Kelly.

They contend the team is violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by failing to provide captioning for the deaf and hearing-impaired. It asks the court to order the Redskins and stadium officials to provide and display captioning on scoreboards and video monitors for all announcements, plays and penalties.

http://hosted.ap.org/icons/spacer.gifhttp://hosted.ap.org/icons/spacer.gifNFL teams are not required by law to do so.

Redskins spokesman Karl Swanson said the team considered a proposal to purchase captioning equipment, but the proposal was rejected by Feldman.

Feldman was concerned about a possible 10-minute delay, said Marc Charmatz, senior attorney with the National Association for the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center.

Swanson said the Redskins are considering providing deaf and hearing-impaired fans with 7-inch TVs that would pick up captioning in the stadium.
He added that all emergency information is posted on the large screens and on TV monitors throughout the stadium.

LINK (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_REDSKINS_DEAF_LAWSUIT?SITE=TXDAM&TEMPLATE=HOME.html&SECTION=HOME)

[Danny White]

Now we just need deaf indians to launch a mega-suit against them!

[superpunk]

Maybe they could sell those obstructed-view seats to the blind. Then they could offend freaking everyone.

[Gryphon]

Sep 20, 3:15 PM EDT
Advocates for Deaf Sue Redskins

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- Advocates for the deaf are suing the Washington Redskins to get them to offer closed-captioning during games at FedEx Field.

The National Association of the Deaf filed the class-action lawsuit Aug. 31 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on behalf of three Maryland fans who regularly attend home games.

"Providing captioning is not rocket science; it is simple, and it is the right thing to do," Shane Feldman said in a statement. Fedlman was joined in the suit by Paul Singleton and Brian M. Kelly.

They contend the team is violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by failing to provide captioning for the deaf and hearing-impaired. It asks the court to order the Redskins and stadium officials to provide and display captioning on scoreboards and video monitors for all announcements, plays and penalties.

NFL teams are not required by law to do so. Redskins spokesman Karl Swanson said the team considered a proposal to purchase captioning equipment, but the proposal was rejected by Feldman.

Feldman was concerned about a possible 10-minute delay, said Marc Charmatz, senior attorney with the National Association for the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center.

Swanson said the Redskins are considering providing deaf and hearing-impaired fans with 7-inch TVs that would pick up captioning in the stadium. He added that all emergency information is posted on the large screens and on TV monitors throughout the stadium.

[ghst187]

the deaf skins' fans need to sue to get a better owner and team before they whine about not being able to read:
"Brunnel sacked again...."
"Brunnel throws the ball away again..."
"Penalty on Sean Taylor..again"
"redskins lose to the Cowboys....again"

[lurkercowboy]

Captioning on the scoreboard?

[Sam I Am]

How about Braille touch pads on all seats for the blind also? :p:

[Danny White]

When it comes to this example, the deaf are lucky. FedEx is notorious for having loud, obnoxious commericals play over the loudspeakers during all the breaks. They're not missing anything.

Besides, you can always see what the down and distance are, so if you're paying attention, you know what's going on.

[tomson75]

the deaf skins' fans need to sue to get a better owner and team before they whine about not being able to read:
"Brunnel sacked again...."
"Brunnel throws the ball away again..."
"Penalty on Sean Taylor..again"
"redskins lose to the Cowboys....again"


So true.

One of my best friends is deaf, and a skins fan. We were at our local watering hole this sunday for the game. He constantly asked what was happening during breaks in the game. Seemed like every time he asked me something, i had to cover the sh!* eating grin on my face and tell him about something stupid the skins had done. Needless to say, he wasn't happy. He stopped short of punching me in the face, but i think thats because i had around twenty people in line already ready to do so.

[HighTechDave]

simple, offer them a portable TV with closed caption capability.

gawd

[28bringinthewood]

Woooaaahhhh... hold on a second.... this really hits home with me.....

My parents are deaf (Dad was a HUGE Cowboys fan... and still is, but he's watching from the best seats in Heaven... mom is a huge Cowboys fan too). Gallaudet University is located in Washington... Gallaudet is a university for the deaf. With that said, there are MANY deaf people located in Washington. I guarantee you, not all are skins fans. My moms best friend went to Gallaudet and believe me she wore her Cowboys gear there with PRIDE!

I challenge you all to watch a game with NO VOLUME. Believe me, you will not like it... I know what comes next... the snickers because many of the commentators are so dang annoying.... but seriously.... no volume... one game.... you still will have no clue what deaf people go through. They deserve closed captioning... yes even on the score board (why should they pay to go to a game and watch it on a "portable t.v." yep, that makes sense:rolleyes: )

I want you to know, I am not by any means trying to be rude, but like I said... my parents are deaf, I have an aunt and uncle that are deaf (yep COWBOYS fans too) and I have spent 14 of my 34 years working with deaf children. Believe me, the deaf NEED to be fighting for their rights. You would not believe how their rights are stomped on.

[lurkercowboy]

I watch a lot of games using closed captioning. The biggest problem with it is that the captioning lags behind the action. They do the best they can, but being a live broadcast, there is only so much that the typists can do. It comes in handy for injury reports and verbal things like that. It doesn't help a lot for normal game action.

I am all for more info on the scoreboards and I think that all fans would agree. I am for anything that helps the fans know more about what is going on in the game, even Redskin fans.

[ZeroClub]

So true.

One of my best friends is deaf, and a skins fan. We were at our local watering hole this sunday for the game. He constantly asked what was happening during breaks in the game. Seemed like every time he asked me something, i had to cover the sh!* eating grin on my face and tell him about something stupid the skins had done. Needless to say, he wasn't happy. He stopped short of punching me in the face, but i think thats because i had around twenty people in line already ready to do so.

That's a great story.


I've accompanied a blind acquaintance to a football game once, and provided play-by-play through the game. It was fun, but also kind of exhausting.

[Rampage]

:lmao2: atleast the redskins money will go to something worth it

[jackrussell]

On an unrelated note....a class action suit was filed against the Redskins by representatives of smart Redskins fans for 10 million dollars.

Should they succed, the money apparently would have to be donated to charity.

[Jimz31]

The real problem here is that Skinz fans are not only deaf but they can't read either....so I don't really know what good this will do.

[tunahelper]

What??????????

[CowboysNumeroUno]

A little offtopic but...

There is close captioning on the new UT jumbotron, and before I saw it at the first game I never really thought about having to watch a football game without being able to hear anything. I think it is a very good idea.

[Cochese]

A little offtopic but...

There is close captioning on the new UT jumbotron, and before I saw it at the first game I never really thought about having to watch a football game without being able to hear anything. I think it is a very good idea.

Why would anyone need to read that a pass was completed for 5 yards when they could um...actually WATCH it happen themselves or look at the score board for the down and distance? Just another frivilous lawsuit in the good ole USA. The majority of the time I am watching a game, i mute the clowns that are doing play by play anyway.

[Wolfpack]

A lot of stuff seems silly or odd but the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) pretty much requires equal treatment for all folks...especially in public areas. Most building codes enforce part or some of the act but it is a civil act which means it is really enforcable only by civil suit. Which sounds like what is happening.

[Cochese]

A lot of stuff seems silly or odd but the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) pretty much requires equal treatment for all folks...especially in public areas. Most building codes enforce part or some of the act but it is a civil act which means it is really enforcable only by civil suit. Which sounds like what is happening.


I dont see how words explaining the blatantly obvious on a jumbotron some how becomes equal treatment for all folks.

[tomson75]

I dont see how words explaining the blatantly obvious on a jumbotron some how becomes equal treatment for all folks.

Not to be blatantly obvious, but what happens if they inadvertently miss a play? What if they'd like an explaination of an official's penalty call?

Or would you just have them read the official's lips from 1,000 feet?

[Cochese]

Not to be blatantly obvious, but what happens if they inadvertently miss a play? What if they'd like an explaination of an official's penalty call?

Or would you just have them read the official's lips from 1,000 feet?

Its not like the officials have hand signals which signfy what they are calling...oh wait, they do.

This is silly, which other special interest group should everyone have to cater to?

I dont know how often you have ever watched sports with closed captioning on, but it is often atleast 30 seconds behind the play. Small tv monitors are fine, but dont subject the rest of the people to innane out of date words on the jumbotron.

[Wolfpack]

I dont see how words explaining the blatantly obvious on a jumbotron some how becomes equal treatment for all folks.

Well, I would guess that it has to do more with making the call of the game avalible to them. You know the guy who says "carry by jones for 4 yards..."
Why is that guy calling the game if its right in front of you? But, if its there then deaf folks have a right to "hear" (read) what ever it was that you got to here. Again, that a federal law.

Like I said, its hard to justify alot of the issues with this sort of stuff from a common sense standpoint IF you do not have any experience with a disability.

[Cochese]

Well, I would guess that it has to do more with making the call of the game avalible to them. You know the guy who says "carry by jones for 4 yards..."
Why is that guy calling the game if its right in front of you? But, if its there then deaf folks have a right to "hear" (read) what ever it was that you got to here. Again, that a federal law.

Like I said, its hard to justify alot of the issues with this sort of stuff from a common sense standpoint IF you do not have any experience with a disability.

Well what about at high school or small time college sporting events? Should they be expecting law suits soon too?

[tomson75]

Its not like the officials have hand signals which signfy what they are calling...oh wait, they do.

This is silly, which other special interest group should everyone have to cater to?

I dont know how often you have ever watched sports with closed captioning on, but it is often atleast 30 seconds behind the play. Small tv monitors are fine, but dont subject the rest of the people to innane out of date words on the jumbotron.


Not sure if you've actually watched a football game in the last few years, but half of the penalties called these days require three minutes of deliberation and another two of explaination.

Who cares if its 30 seconds behind? You? Most deaf people are used to such things. Here's an idea, DON'T READ IT! Why would anyone care want you think or want? You clearly don't care about others wants or needs.

If the refs hand signals are so all-encompassing and explaination, then why do you need the jumbotron anyway? YOU clearly never miss plays...therefor you surely wouldn't need a REPLAY...would you.

Why don't you take a second and look at the big picture here. We're talking about putting closed captioning on a jumbotron. At worst, its causing you to disagree with someone on a messegeboard. While the same time it provides another human being a measure of normalcy that they rarely see on a day to day basis. Being deaf is not easy. Its often quite confusing. Why this should bother anyone is beyond me.

Get over yourself.

[burmafrd]

Just another example of the mis use of the court system. Unintended consequences is usually what happens when good intentions get put into law. Big daddy/momma government will make it all ok. PATHETIC.

[Cochese]

Just another example of the mis use of the court system. Unintended consequences is usually what happens when good intentions get put into law. Big daddy/momma government will make it all ok. PATHETIC.

Amen.

Is it really that hard to watch the play and follow the score board for down and distance?

Like I said, will this lead the way to every highschool and small time college program installing a jumbotron they cant afford to make sure everyone will be treated 'fairly'?

My my, what did deaf people ever do at sporting events before these noble warriors came forth in the persuit of money and umm...money.

This is only mildy amusing because it is happening to the Skins.

[28bringinthewood]

Not sure if you've actually watched a football game in the last few years, but half of the penalties called these days require three minutes of deliberation and another two of explaination.

Who cares if its 30 seconds behind? You? Most deaf people are used to such things. Here's an idea, DON'T READ IT! Why would anyone care want you think or want? You clearly don't care about others wants or needs.

If the refs hand signals are so all-encompassing and explaination, then why do you need the jumbotron anyway? YOU clearly never miss plays...therefor you surely wouldn't need a REPLAY...would you.

Why don't you take a second and look at the big picture here. We're talking about putting closed captioning on a jumbotron. At worst, its causing you to disagree with someone on a messegeboard. While the same time it provides another human being a measure of normalcy that they rarely see on a day to day basis. Being deaf is not easy. Its often quite confusing. Why this should bother anyone is beyond me.

Get over yourself.

Well said.. and thank you. Many people have no idea what people with disabilities go through.

Just another example of the mis use of the court system. Unintended consequences is usually what happens when good intentions get put into law. Big daddy/momma government will make it all ok. PATHETIC.

misuse of the court system... umm okay.... God forbid you have a deaf child and want equal access for him or her.

The real problem here is that Skinz fans are not only deaf but they can't read either....so I don't really know what good this will do.

Like I said before... there are MANY deaf people in Washington because of the Deaf University... not all are Skins fans.... regardless this is not remotely funny. Sorry if I took this the wrong way... but you know back in the old days... they used to call deaf people .... deaf and dumb... yeah, I know you have heard the term... and it sucks. They thought all deaf people were dumb... but they are far from dumb, they just couldn't communicate their needs.... and they couldn't learn without.... equal access through an interpreter.

Not to be blatantly obvious, but what happens if they inadvertently miss a play? What if they'd like an explaination of an official's penalty call?

Or would you just have them read the official's lips from 1,000 feet?

Yep, some people would :confused:

My my, what did deaf people ever do at sporting events before these noble warriors came forth in the persuit of money and umm...money.


Ummm where did you hear anything about money?????????? :banghead: You assume they want money... they don't. They want equal freaking access. All they want is closed captioning??!!??!! How many times have you looked away when the ref was doing the hand sign for a penalty..... oops.... it's okay though.... they have a nifty MICROPHONE so you can HEAR the penalty.... so YOU don't have to miss out.

Oh... and on a side note.... did you know Flo is deaf in one ear? Did you also know... the reason football has hand signals for plays is because of a deaf football team.

Do me a favor.... just for a moment.... imagine you have a deaf child.... would you want them to have equal access?

[The30YardSlant]

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) -- Advocates for the deaf are suing the Washington Redskins to get them to offer closed-captioning during games at FedEx Field.

The National Association of the Deaf filed the class-action lawsuit Aug. 31 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on behalf of three Maryland fans who regularly attend home games.

"Providing captioning is not rocket science; it is simple, and it is the right thing to do," Shane Feldman said in a statement. Fedlman was joined in the suit by Paul Singleton and Brian M. Kelly.

They contend the team is violating the Americans With Disabilities Act by failing to provide captioning for the deaf and hearing-impaired. It asks the court to order the Redskins and stadium officials to provide and display captioning on scoreboards and video monitors for all announcements, plays and penalties.

http://hosted.ap.org/icons/spacer.gifhttp://hosted.ap.org/icons/spacer.gifNFL teams are not required by law to do so.

Redskins spokesman Karl Swanson said the team considered a proposal to purchase captioning equipment, but the proposal was rejected by Feldman.

Feldman was concerned about a possible 10-minute delay, said Marc Charmatz, senior attorney with the National Association for the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center.

Swanson said the Redskins are considering providing deaf and hearing-impaired fans with 7-inch TVs that would pick up captioning in the stadium.
He added that all emergency information is posted on the large screens and on TV monitors throughout the stadium.

LINK (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_REDSKINS_DEAF_LAWSUIT?SITE=TXDAM&TEMPLATE=HOME.html&SECTION=HOME)

http://www.orlyowl.com/upload/files/orizzle.gif

[Cochese]

The johnny bleeding hearts around here crack me up.

If this lawsuit is any where near successful, I am calling my self an advocate for the deaf and hitting every highschool, middle school, elementary school sports team, every minor league baseball, football and hockey team, every pro sports team and every small college in my area demanding closed captioning in the name of 'fairness'. I would stand to make a tidy sum in damages.

[Hostile]

Woooaaahhhh... hold on a second.... this really hits home with me.....

My parents are deaf (Dad was a HUGE Cowboys fan... and still is, but he's watching from the best seats in Heaven... mom is a huge Cowboys fan too). Gallaudet University is located in Washington... Gallaudet is a university for the deaf. With that said, there are MANY deaf people located in Washington. I guarantee you, not all are skins fans. My moms best friend went to Gallaudet and believe me she wore her Cowboys gear there with PRIDE!

I challenge you all to watch a game with NO VOLUME. Believe me, you will not like it... I know what comes next... the snickers because many of the commentators are so dang annoying.... but seriously.... no volume... one game.... you still will have no clue what deaf people go through. They deserve closed captioning... yes even on the score board (why should they pay to go to a game and watch it on a "portable t.v." yep, that makes sense:rolleyes: )

I want you to know, I am not by any means trying to be rude, but like I said... my parents are deaf, I have an aunt and uncle that are deaf (yep COWBOYS fans too) and I have spent 14 of my 34 years working with deaf children. Believe me, the deaf NEED to be fighting for their rights. You would not believe how their rights are stomped on.This was a really cool post.

[28bringinthewood]

The johnny bleeding hearts around here crack me up.

If this lawsuit is any where near successful, I am calling my self an advocate for the deaf and hitting every highschool, middle school, elementary school sports team, every minor league baseball, football and hockey team, every pro sports team and every small college in my area demanding closed captioning in the name of 'fairness'. I would stand to make a tidy sum in damages.


:rolleyes:

Ummm... they don't want money... they want to hear the games too... and to them hearing the game is closed captioning.

[HighTechDave]

no guarranties in life, and the world isn't fair. Don't see me suing anyone because I'm disabled due to lack of monetary funds in the BANK!

[Cochese]

:rolleyes:

Ummm... they don't want money... they want to hear the games too... and to them hearing the game is closed captioning.

Right, no money involved. Ill believe that when I see that.

What ever will deaf people do at sporting events without a jumbo tron?

This lawsuit is so silly, and so rediculously frivilous. Who the hell actually needs to hear or read something that is happening in front of their face? They are deaf, not blind or retarded.

[28bringinthewood]

This was a really cool post.


Thanks :)

Right, no money involved. Ill believe that when I see that.

What ever will deaf people do at sporting events without a jumbo tron?

This lawsuit is so silly, and so rediculously frivilous. Who the hell actually needs to hear or read something that is happening in front of their face? They are deaf, not blind or retarded.

If they wanted money.... they would have much better reasons to sue....It's not like I am pulling this out of thin air.... I live it... with my parents and the people I work with. I have many examples I could list for you.

[Cochese]

Whats next? Height challenged people suing for booster chairs so they can see over the normal sized person that is sitting in front of them?

[28bringinthewood]

NAD Files Complaint against Washington Redskins and FedEx Field
Posted August 31, 2006

To refer others to this page, please use:
http://www.nad.org/redskinscaptioning
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Joseph B. Espo, an attorney with Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland, filed a class action lawsuit against the Washington Redskins and FedEx Field football stadium. The complaint, filed with the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, claims that the Washington Redskins and FedEx Field failed to provide captioning for announcements made over the public address system before, during, and after Washington Redskins home games, as required under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The class action lawsuit was brought on behalf of all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, who attend or in the future will attend Washington Redskins home games at FedEx Field. Representing the class are Shane Feldman, Brian Kelly, and Paul Singleton, who are deaf or hard of hearing and who regularly attend Washington Redskins home games at FedEx Field. Feldman says, "I am a life-long, die-hard Redskins fan and I love watching the Washington Redskins play at FedEx Field, but I miss out on the total game experience because I cannot hear the information announced over the public address system. Providing captioning is not rocket science; it is simple, and it is the right thing to do." <---- bad example :)
Marc Charmatz, Senior Attorney with the NAD Law and Advocacy Center said, "People who are deaf or hard of hearing have been excluded from large public events for decades. Providing captioning in stadiums will ensure effective communication, equal access, and an equal opportunity for people who are deaf or hard of hearing."

The complaint asks the court to order the Washington Redskins and FedEx Field to provide and display captioning on the scoreboards and video monitors for all announcements made over the public address system, including plays and penalties called, safety and emergency information, and any other announcements.
According to Espo, "The failure to provide and display captioning for the announcements made over the public address system discriminates against deaf and hard of hearing Washington Redskins fans.The Washington Redskins have known about this for years and did nothing. Deaf and hard of hearing fans are tired of being left out of the game."

[burmafrd]

Frankly, life is not fair and its not up the government or the courts to make it so. Everyone has problems- some more then others. What did they do before? They managed- and its NOT THE GOVERNMENTS DUTY to get involved in frankly what is a FRIVOLOUS area. THis is NOT about getting or keeping a job, or a home, or getting an education. ITS NOT that important- and this IS A WASTE of the courts time.

[28bringinthewood]

Frankly, life is not fair and its not up the government or the courts to make it so. Everyone has problems- some more then others. What did they do before? They managed- and its NOT THE GOVERNMENTS DUTY to get involved in frankly what is a FRIVOLOUS area. THis is NOT about getting or keeping a job, or a home, or getting an education. ITS NOT that important- and this IS A WASTE of the courts time.

Life is not fair, you are correct. Deaf people have managed for a long time.... Sure would have been nice for the deaf people present at the Triplets induction into the Ring to have been able to hear what was being said. They love their Cowboys too.

[burmafrd]

You bleeding hearts want the government and the courts involved in everything- and then you whine and complain about how screwed up things are.

[28bringinthewood]

bleeding hearts.... nope... I guess you can't fully understand until you live it

[tomson75]

No one here is advocating the manipulative practices pursued within our legal system. No one has said anything along those lines.

This lawsuit is being filed on the behalf of three fans. If they succeed, that's life, it's not fair. I would love some of that money as well.

What this could do is provide a useful service to the other 1.2 million deaf people in the United States. Perhaps they to could enjoy a new comprehension of a sport that you seem to take for granted.

Justsayno...what ever will you do without that bottom 10% of the jumbotron? Your arguments are vain, hypocritical, and insensitive. If that makes me a "bleeding heart" in your eyes, well, gee...i guess i'll have to live with that.

The simple fact is, that you're ignorant to anyones needs but your own.



http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/thompson75/HeadUpButt.jpg

[28bringinthewood]

No one here is advocating the manipulative practices pursued within our legal system. No one has said anything along those lines.


What this could do is provide a useful service to the other 1.2 million deaf people in the United States. Perhaps they to could enjoy a new comprehension of a sport that you seem to take for granted.

Justsayno...what ever will you do without that bottom 10% of the jumbotron? Your arguments are vain, hypocritical, and insensitive. If that makes me a "bleeding heart" in your eyes, well, gee...i guess i'll have to live with that.

The simple fact is, that you're ignorant to anyones needs but your own.



http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k68/thompson75/HeadUpButt.jpg

Well said :)

This lawsuit is being filed on the behalf of three fans. If they succeed, that's life, it's not fair. I would love some of that money as well.

I don't see where they want money.... Most deaf people just want equal access. Like I said, if they want money... they probably have several other instances they could sue for to get money.... and deserve to win.

[EGG]

It's not the private sector's compulsory duty, and many times not even the government's duty, to make sure every single thing is served up on a platter to every single person in the public. Sueing to force these actions has become a national past-time and it's wrong IMO. People are saying that "nobody wants any money"... well that's not exactly true. These kinds of lawsuits have proven to be very lucrative,,, for lawyers and advocacy groups!! So they spend their days and nights looking for somebody to sue or extort based on everybody's "right" to everything imaginable.

I realize that many valid needs have been obtained via lawsuit, but most of the time self-interest and common courtesy takes care of minor situations like this with the entities "doing the right thing", but IIRC, the Redskin's objection wasn't cost, it was a technological barrier that could cause 10 minute delays in their jumbo-tron footage. 10 minute delays is obviously unacceptable, folks.

[SkinsandTerps]

I cant imagine going to a game if I were deaf. Part of the excitement is the sounds of the game, that bone jarring hit, or the crowd booing a bad call, etc.

I am all for equal treatment but at the same time, where is the line drawn ? Does a deaf kid in the public school system get a signer in every class he is enrolled in because his parents cant afford to send him to a private school, but all of his friends attend that school ?

I have had a few deaf friends in my life that were very well adjusted and lived quite normal lives.

Who knows what will become of this but if the Redskins are forced to caption games, where is the ceiling ?

[davidyee]

...the real answer for many of these types of questions will be technological.

It has been stated that there may be delay problems when converting to closed captioning.

Possibly a technological advance could make this option possible without altering the experience for all fans?

[jackrussell]

If you can get past the polarization of this issue, it's really an easily solved debate.

There are all kinds of fans that love sports, blind ones, deaf ones, fat kids, skinny kids, even kids with chicken pox.

It is in the Washington Redskins and every other sports orginization's best interests to somewhat cater to this diverse society as it can effect bottom lines, and more importantly, image.

In this technological advanced age, a jumbo tron or monitor is not necessary to inform deaf fans of current happenings. I'm sure a cell phone service would jump at the chance at becoming the 'Official NFL Cellular Supplier' by making available cell phones that would do the tracking via IM or text messaging.

NASCAR does this sort of thing with the in car radio system you can rent, stadiums have been catering to wheel chair access for years, you also see binocular rentals, not to mention a variety of food menus from fat free to kosher items, day care, etc...

While the service, or rentals, wold not be the huge cash cow, the fact that the services are offered as being fan friendly warrents these extras being made available.

[burmafrd]

This is NOT something that belongs in federal court. THAT is my point. If this is so important to SO many people- then march and protest and do things like that - DO NOT tie up the federal courts.

[burmafrd]

And, by the way, enough of this GARBAGE about how you cannot know how it feels unless it happens to you. THAT BS means that only those afflicted get to make the decisions- and that is NOT what happens in a democracy. It also gives them a veto over everything concerned- and that is BS as well.
Just another example of the rampant victimhood sponsored by the liberals.

[bbgun]

The lead plaintiff:

http://www.123imagehost.com/uploads/235-637-cy_elmer_m4.jpg

[jackrussell]

And, by the way, enough of this GARBAGE about how you cannot know how it feels unless it happens to you. THAT BS means that only those afflicted get to make the decisions- and that is NOT what happens in a democracy. It also gives them a veto over everything concerned- and that is BS as well.
Just another example of the rampant victimhood sponsored by the liberals.

A fine example of the 'I've got mine screw you and yours mentality', as opposed to actually discussing viable options, one of which would be using the courts as made available to each and everyone, whether you agree with the issue or not. Its not for ONE person to decide whether it's appropriate or not.

I personally don't agree to see this into a court, but it's not for me to decide, or yours, if it's proper. But I will point out, I have at least offered some ideas for a solution, which is most likely the premise of the suit (to open some eyes and ears), as opposed to your spewing hate reserved for anyone that doesn't agree with you. Go figure.

[superpunk]

And, by the way, enough of this GARBAGE about how you cannot know how it feels unless it happens to you. THAT BS means that only those afflicted get to make the decisions- and that is NOT what happens in a democracy. It also gives them a veto over everything concerned- and that is BS as well.
Just another example of the rampant victimhood sponsored by the liberals.

Yeah. Screw em. It's their own fault they're deaf. Most likely they're being punished for their sins. Do we really need to cater to people like that? Soulless, godless, hearing-less people? That's not MY America. In my america, everyone deserves a chance to have a voice, unless they disagree with me, or inconvenience me in any way.

In which case, they can go eat dirt.

Dirty rotten deaf people. What's next? Religion wanting to be exempt from taxes?

:rolleyes:

[BrAinPaiNt]

Please out the political right/left wing slant on these posts.
If you find yourself unable to do so than just ignore this thread