Accomodations for Deaf/HOH Passengers.

[Alex T]

Hello All-

Bunch of people here know I am Hard of Hearing, and have been traveling a lot as a Hard of Hearing person. Traveling and being familair and working for an Airline has allowed me to recognize a HUGE gap in accomodations for at least Deaf and H.O.H folks like myself. I am reffering specifically to the Safety Announcements on board and emergency evacuations.

Yes, some airlines provide subtitles but what about the off hand announcements Pilots make regarding safety, or Flight Attendant describing something specific for example "we are going to brace in 20 seconds" That will NOT be subtitled or translated on board.

One of my friends who is a deaf vlogger (Video Logger) and I were discussing this specific issue and he decided to post a vlog about it providing some examples and situations where we might be SOL when stuff like that happens, and some suggestions on how to make it easier.

He is Deaf and uses ASL to communicate through his vlog, but for those who do not understand ASL, like me included he has provided subtitles for us to read along. You will notice he used three of my videos from jetvideos.net, do not worry about it, he was given permission.

Would be curious to hear your responses, comments and maybe concerns yourself!

Here is the website/Video-

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lBWaXGNUubA

http://www.seekgeo.com

[Matt Molnar]

Thought you might be interested in this story...

Associated Press:

Airline Slammed on Deaf Policy (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hO6qRL7k31VRltOkZAChkUBwkXVQD8VVH3G80)

By ROD McGUIRK – 19 hours ago

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Ludwig van Beethoven would not be allowed to fly alone on a Tiger Airways flight if he were alive today because of the Singapore-owned airline's purported policy on deaf passengers, a government minister said Friday.

Bill Shorten used the example of Beethoven — who famously continued composing until his death in 1827 despite losing his hearing — in condemning the treatment of deaf passengers by the Australian subsidiary of Singapore-based budget carrier Tiger Airways.

The policy bars deaf passengers from flying unless accompanied by a fare-paying adult care provider, a Tiger Airways reservations agent who said she goes by only one name, Jinky, told The Associated Press. [Full Article (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hO6qRL7k31VRltOkZAChkUBwkXVQD8VVH3G80)]

[Alex T]

Thought you might be interested in this story...

Associated Press:

Airline Slammed on Deaf Policy (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hO6qRL7k31VRltOkZAChkUBwkXVQD8VVH3G80)

By ROD McGUIRK – 19 hours ago

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Ludwig van Beethoven would not be allowed to fly alone on a Tiger Airways flight if he were alive today because of the Singapore-owned airline's purported policy on deaf passengers, a government minister said Friday.

Bill Shorten used the example of Beethoven — who famously continued composing until his death in 1827 despite losing his hearing — in condemning the treatment of deaf passengers by the Australian subsidiary of Singapore-based budget carrier Tiger Airways.

The policy bars deaf passengers from flying unless accompanied by a fare-paying adult care provider, a Tiger Airways reservations agent who said she goes by only one name, Jinky, told The Associated Press. [Full Article (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hO6qRL7k31VRltOkZAChkUBwkXVQD8VVH3G80)]


Ya thanks for that. I just laughed out loud at that.

People like me just proved them wrong, I mean would Tiger Airways BALK at the fact a deaf employee worked for an airline?! My lord.


Alex