This week on Facebook I waded through endless links that will inspire and raise awareness.
Facebook Roundup
1. In Oregon residents with disabilities were able to vote by iPad. According to the Disability Scoop article the use of iPads will “enhance accessbility at the polls” and were donated by Apple. Oregon officials say that if all goes well they plan to make iPads available to voters with disabilities in upcoming elections. Found on Disability Scoop Facebook page.
2. Glee star Lauren Potter will be on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilites. Lauren Potter plays Becky Jackson and rose to stardom in 2009 after appearing on Glee. The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities has “led the charge to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and uphold their right to enjoy a quality of life that promotes independence, self-determination, and full participation as productive members of society”. Found on Disability Scoop Facebook page.
3. There is now an app on the Android market that will help users find organizations that have disability information. DisAbility Connect will help users search for organizations in every state whether it be for information on disabilities, early intervention, special education, or support groups. More information on the app can be found here. Found on disAbilityVoice-Disability Rights Advocate Facebook page.
4. Watching a movie in a theater has often been difficult for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, a new solution may be on the rise. According to a BBC video, Sony has developed “subtitle glasses”. The glasses would allow the person that is wearing them to see subtitles directly in front of them. A similar product has already been unveiled in Tokyo during the Tokyo International Film Festival. Found on disAbilityVoice-Disability Rights Advocate Facebook page.
5. A new reality TV show has premiered on MTV’s college channel, mtvU. Quiet Campus will follow the lives of four students at Gallaudet University, a four year school for the deaf and hard of hearing. According to a New York Times Post article by Rebecca Ruiz the show will “deliver drama characteristic of MTV programming and college life, with footage of class lectures and keg parties alike”. Quiet Campus will include voiceovers and subtitles. Found on Student Disability Rights Advocacy Network Facebook page.
Stay tuned for more Facebook Roundup links.
3 Comments
Regarding the Sony subtitle spectacles:
There are currently around 750 English language subtitled shows around the UK every week, of the latest films, as listed here: (Google: subtitled cinema).
Subtitles on the cinema screen, for all to see. Although this is the preferred way to view cinema subtitles amongst most people that need them to enjoy a film, it requires cinemas to put on separate shows. Most people can’t work their lives around one or two cinema shows a week, so currently, most people that would like to attend subtitled cinema shows can’t do so. There’s not enough choice of films and showtimes.
A ‘personal’ subtitle system, like the Sony specs mentioned, or seat mounted displays, like they have in the US, would give people a better choice of films and showtimes, which would of course result in more people attending the cinema, purchasing popcorn & drinks etc.
Derek Brandon
Thanks Cherlaine Ordana for mentioning “disAbilityVOICE-Disability Rights Advocate: in your ‘Facebook Roundup’ article. Kindly continue to share your global perspectives with our “dAV-DRA” social network community. http://www.facebook.com/DisabilityVOICE
Thanks Cherlaine Ordana for mentioning “disAbilityVOICE-Disability Rights Advocate: in your ‘Facebook Roundup’ article. Kindly continue to share your ‘Disability Rights Galaxy’ global perspectives with our social network community. http://www.facebook.com/DisabilityVOICE