Captions at the Warwick Showcase!

FYI: Here are the instructions for the new Caption glasses located at the Warwick Showcase Cinema located at 1200 Quaker Lane in Warwick RI (This is not the Warwick Mall location!)

You need to ask for the glasses at the customer service desk. The captions are on only one lens so if you have a bad left or right eye tell them that so they will adjust the glasses so the captions project on your good side.

May 16th Presentation

As part of the Better Hearing Speech Month, there will be a very important presentation on TV and Internet Captioning . There are changes with thanks to the 21th Century Communication and Video Accessibility Act that was signed into law by President Obama in October of 2010. 

This act:

Among other things, the Act (1) extends closed captioning requirements to video programming distributed on the Internet; (2) reinstates the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) video description regulations; and (3) requires customer digital equipment, including navigation devices (in particular, cable set-top boxes), to accommodate accessibility features for closed captioning, video description, emergency information, user interfaces, and video guides and menus.
The Act phases in these various requirements after an Advisory Committee submits its recommendations to the FCC, and the FCC adopts regulations to implement the recommendations and the requirements of the Act

 

Lise Hamlin who is the Policy Director for the Hearing Loss Association of America based in Bethesda Maryland will be giving the presentation. She is very knowledgeable and will be able to answer questions you may regarding any aspect of this very important act as it provides accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

 

It will be held at the Department of Administration Building, One Capitol Hill, Providence  from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Conference Room A .

 

Attached is the flyer of this event. This presentation is highly recommended for you to attend.

Click Picture to Enlarge

New Caption Phone

A Breakthrough Ensemble™ for Millions With Hearing Loss

Clarity® and ClearCaptions™ Launch Ensemble™, a First-of-Its-Kind Amplified Phone That Allows Users to Read as Well as Hear Conversations Through Innovative Tablet Display

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 8, 2013) - Clarity -- a division of Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) -- and ClearCaptions have joined together to launch Ensemble, a first-of-its-kind amplified phone that allows individuals with hearing loss to read conversations as well as hear them.
Through a seven-inch tablet-based display, Ensemble captions conversations in real time while also amplifying incoming sound up to 50 decibels. It provides both precise text and clear voice to create the most accurate phone conversation possible -- a breakthrough moment -- for the 36 million Americans with hearing loss.
"Ensemble is breaking new ground on sight and sound," said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. "Not only is it loud and clear, but it's the first to deliver captions through a tablet display. We've brought together the latest in technology to provide the hearing loss community with a phone that is carefully designed for their needs. Ensemble can be life changing for millions of people who want to enjoy phone conversations again, reconnect with loved ones or stay engaged in the world."
When an individual places or receives a call on Ensemble, the other party's words are transcribed through ClearCaptions, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-certified telephone-captioning service that is similar to closed captions for television. As the user listens, captions appear on Ensemble's touchscreen display in a large, easy-to-read font that can be enlarged or adjusted with the swipe of a finger.
Simultaneously, Ensemble amplifies incoming voice to improve hearing and create the greatest possible experience for the user. It features a patented digital sound processing technology that functions like a hearing aid to make soft sounds audible and keep loud sounds in a comfortable range. Users can adjust the tone or amplification settings to customize Ensemble to their unique degree of hearing loss.
"As a leading provider of communications services for people with hearing loss, we know there is a growing and unmet need for Ensemble," said John Ferron, CEO of Purple Communications, Inc., provider of the ClearCaptions service. "Time and again, we've heard how captions take the frustration out of using the phone. Ensemble brings the best of both worlds -- Clarity's best-in-class amplification with our popular ClearCaptions service -- to offer a phone unlike anything the millions impacted by hearing loss have experienced."
With its intuitive touchscreen interface, Ensemble is simple to set up and use. Its on-screen dial pad is scalable to make calling easier for users with low vision or dexterity challenges.
Ensemble is also equipped with ClarityLogic™, an award-winning customer service technology that allows customer service representatives to remotely access the phone and make adjustments for the user. Clarity representatives can adjust Ensemble's volume or tweak the tone control on the user's behalf.
Ensemble can be purchased for $229 and comes with a limited one-year warranty. It is the result of an exclusive partnership between Clarity and ClearCaptions. Clarity will feature Ensemble at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. For more information on Clarity, visit www.clarityproducts.com.
About Clarity -- Smart for Seniors™ Clarity, a division of Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), creates smart communication solutions that help seniors live richer, more engaged lives. For more than 40 years, Clarity's innovative products -- such as amplified telephones, notification systems and assistive listening devices -- have helped people with hearing loss, low vision, limited mobility, dexterity issues and other health challenges. Clarity has pioneered many firsts -- from digital sound processing in 2005 to remote-access customer service in 2010. Millions rely on Clarity to communicate at home, at work and throughout their lives. For more information, please visit www.clarityproducts.com or call 1-800-426-3738.
About ClearCaptions -- Get the whole conversation™ClearCaptions is an advanced telephone captioning service created by Purple Communications, Inc. Purple is a leading provider of video relay and text relay services, on-site interpreting services and video remote interpreting. Offering a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of businesses and customers, ClearCaptions' vision is to enable free-flowing communication between people, inclusive of the differences in abilities, languages or locations. For more information on ClearCaptions, visit www.clearcaptions.com.

New FCC Complaint Form: Internet Captioning of TV Programs

New FCC Complaint Form: Internet Captioning of TV Programs

Wed, 12/05/2012

On January 12, 2012, the FCC adopted rules requiring captioned programs shown on TV to be captioned when re-shown on the Internet.
These rules implement provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).
The FCC recently modified its complaint form 2000C.  You can now use this form to file complaints about closed captioning of TV programs re-shown on the Internet.   If you wish to file a complaint on this issue,please complete form 2000C online.
Before filing your complaint, please check the following schedule to determine whether the TV program you viewed on the Internet must be captioned:
The following deadlines apply to video programming that a distributor shows for the first time on the Internet (newly added to the distributor's inventory of Internet video programming):

• September 30, 2012:  Pre-recorded video programming that is not “edited for the Internet” must be captioned on the Internet if it has been shown on TV with captions since September 30, 2012.  “Edited for the Internet” means the TV version has been substantially edited.  Examples of such editing are:  deleting scenes or altering musical scores.  (Changing the number or duration of commercials is not considered “editing” for this purpose.)
• March 30, 2013:  Live and near-live video programming must be captioned on the Internet if it is shown on TV with captions on or after March 30, 2013.  Near-live video programming is programming that is performed and recorded less than 24 hours before being shown on TV for the first time.
• September 30, 2013:  Pre-recorded video programming that is substantially edited for the Internet must be captioned if it is shown on TV with captions on or after September 30, 2013.

This schedule and more information about the FCC’s rules on video programming delivered over the Internet are summarized in the FCC Consumer Guide:
Captioning of Internet Video Programming  -   (HTML Version)     (PDF Version)

From the FCC: Captioning of Internet Video Programming

From the FCC: Captioning of Internet Video Programming : A simple explanation of the changes in internet video programming that went into effect last month and the format for filing complaints.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/captioning-internet-video-programming

Captions on Netflix Streaming - Major Update!

Netflix and the National Association of the Deaf Reach Historic Agreement to
Provide 100% Closed Captions in On-Demand Streaming Content Within Two Years

Netflix Inc. and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a non-profit
organization, have submitted a joint Consent Decree to a federal court in
Springfield, Mass., ensuring closed captions in 100% of Netflix streaming
content within two years.

NAD, along with the Western Massachusetts Association of the Deaf and
Hearing-Impaired (WMAD/HI) and Lee Nettles, a deaf Massachusetts resident,
brought suit against Netflix seeking that commitment in 2010.
..........

Read on: http://tinyurl.com/9xpefg6

Trinity Press release regarding Captioned performances

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 2, 2012
CONTACT: Rebecca Noon, Marketing and Social Media Manager
(401) 521-1100 ext. 268   rnoon@trinityrep.com

TRINITY REP ANNOUNCES OPEN CAPTIONING,

ASL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE DATES

PROVIDENCE, RI: Trinity Repertory Company is pleased to announce our 12-13 season offering of open captioned and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances. The state-of-the-art technology will allow Trinity Rep to continue in its mission of providing theater access to a wider community by making performances accessible to patrons with hearing loss. Open captioning and ASL seats are available for $22 for adults and children, and a 3-play open captioning subscription is also available for $66. To purchase tickets, call (401) 351-4242 (TTY RI Relay 1-800-745-5555) or visit the Trinity Rep box office at 201 Washington St. in Providence.

“We are delighted that our generous partners are continuing to make Open Captioning possible for another season,” says Trinity Rep’s Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus.  “The incomparable experience of live theater should be available to everyone, and by finding these partnerships and utilizing available technologies, it can be.”

The schedule for open captioned performances in the 2012-2013 Season is as follows: 
A Christmas Carol, Sunday, December 2 at 12:00PM, Chace Theater;House, Sunday June 16 at 2pm, Dowling Theater; and Garden, Sunday June 30 at 2pm, Chace Theater. There will also be an ASL-interpreted performance of A Christmas Carol on Sunday November 25, 2012 at 12:00PM in the Chace Theater.

Open Captioning is a general term used to describe text displayed simultaneous to live speech, dialogue or performance.  As opposed to closed captioning, open captions do not require the user to have any special equipment for viewing the text and are always "open" to anyone.

Trinity Rep’s open captioning is provided by c2, the pioneer of Live Performance Captioning for hard of hearing and deaf patrons at live theatrical and cultural events. c2 is internationally recognized as the leading authority in the field. Their mission is to expand services throughout the United States.  c2 boasts an impressive roster of prestigious venues now offering this vital access program.

Trinity Rep is fully handicapped accessible, with elevator service to the Chace Theater. State-of-the-art infra-red Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are available for all performances in the Chace and Dowling Theaters. Support for Trinity Rep’s accessibility programs comes from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, with additional support from the Ida Ballou Littlefield Memorial Trust and Vigneron Memorial Fund, Bank of America N.A., Trustee.

TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANYSince its founding in 1963, Trinity Repertory Company has been one of the most respected regional theaters in the country. Featuring the last permanent resident acting company in America, Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated annual audience of approximately 120,000. In its 49-year history, the theater has produced 61 world premieres, mounted national and international tours, and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and directors. This season marks the 46th year of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program. Each year, Trinity Rep’s educational programs reach nearly 15,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut students through matinees as well as in-school residencies and workshops. Brown University/Trinity Rep offers professional training for actors and directors in a three-year MFA program. Trinity Rep's 49^th Season is presenting six subscription productions alongside the annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol. The 2012-2013 Season opened with a co-production with Dallas Theater Center of King Lear by William Shakespeare; The How and the Why by Sarah Treem; Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, adapted by Curt Columbus and Marilyn Campbell; Social Creatures by Jackie Sibblies Drury and House & Garden, an epic duo of interconnected plays by Alan Ayckbourn performed simultaneously in our upstairs and downstairs theaters. For more information, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.trinityrep.com.

Rebecca Noon

Marketing and Social Media Manager

Trinity Repertory Company

Providence, RI 02903

401-521-1100 x268

www.trinityrep.com

Amazon starts to caption streaming movies.

TechCrunch.com - October 3, 2012
-----------
Amazon Quietly Begins The Long Road To Closed Captioning Its Streaming Video
Library

By INGRID LUNDEN

Amazon has quietly started to add closed captioning services to its Instant
Video library, following a September 30 deadline from the Federal
Communications Commission that required online media companies to begin
incorporating these subtitles for the hard of hearing into their video
content.

This regulation - an implementation of the 21st Century Communications and
Video Accessibility Act of 2011 - has been long in the making, with
companies like Amazon and YouTube but also Apple arguing that they will need
extensions to fully comply, and those arguing on behalf of people with
hearing disabilities saying that digital content needs to be just as
accessible as what people can see in analog. The September 30 deadline is
the first in a series for closed caption compliance.
...........
Complete article: http://tinyurl.com/93gkrh9

Caption Glasses - More Information

More information can be found by clicking on the link below

           http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/26/2815976/fresno-theaters-get-smart-glasses.html#

Captioned Play and Social Event

UPDATE: BRAVO is cancelled. The play is still on!

Next Event: Trinity Repertory Company and Bravo Brasserie

Where: Trinity Repertory Theater, 201 Washington Street, Providence RI

www.trinityrep.com

Bravo Brasserie, 123 Empire Street, Providence, RI

http://www.bravobrasserie.com

When: Sunday May 13, 2012 2:00 PM

This will be a social event for the May meeting.

Go and see the open captioned performance of Boeing-Boeing and then meet up for dinner at Bravo Brasserie which is across the street from Trinity.

Open captioned performance of Boeing-Boeing :In this Tony award-winning comedy, 1960s playboy Bernard deftly juggles affairs with three gorgeous stewardesses, mapping out their arrivals and departures like clockwork. His plan soars until his old college friend visits and each of his fiancées land on his doorstep on the same night! “It’s deliciously, deliriously innocent. Pure pleasure!” – New York Times
Runtime: 2 hours, 30 minutes including one 15 minute intermission

If you opt just to meet dinner, just meet us at approximately at 5:00 pm at Bravos Brasserie which is across the street from Trinity.

Either call Trinity at 401-351 4242 or stop by the theater’s box office to order the tickets but sure to specify the seating for the open captioning section. Ibelieve the tickets are $22.00. There is a parking garage next door to Trinity Repertory Theater

At dinner, this will be an opportunity to socialize with each other but there will be no CART. People will pay their own bills.

Please contact me if you plan to attend the meal at Bravo Brasserie so I can let the restaurant know the number of people attending in order to reserve table(s). Please email me at cthom27062@aol.com

Movie Access

Sony and Regal Theaters introduce Access Glasses to bring closed captions
right in front of your eyes

By Andrew Webster

Sony Access Glasses

Sony is working with American theater chain Regal Entertainment to introduce

a new kind of glasses technology that can display closed captions for those

with hearing problems. The new Access Glasses can show text in six different

languages, which is then placed directly in the viewer's field of vision so

that they don't have to constantly look at the bottom of the screen. The

information is streamed wirelessly, and the location of the text can be

adjusted to make things more comfortable. The glasses also include features

for the blind or visually impaired, as they can be used alongside headphones

to provide extra audio detail about just what's happening on screen.

Regal - the largest theater chain in the US - started rolling the Access
Glasses out this month, and expects to have them available in "practically
all of its fully digitized theater locations" by early 2013.

More information about how the glasses work can be found at this website

http://tinyurl.com/8y4bqfp