Disability Rights Advocates & Disability Law Center are excited to announce that Hulu will join the list of online streaming providers prioritizing accessibility, thanks to an agreement with our clients, American Council of the Blind and Bay State Council of the Blind, to increase the accessibility of Hulu's streaming service to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

As a result, Hulu will undertake efforts to make its website and software applications accessible via screen readers and will provide audio description tracks for streaming content where possible. With these efforts, Hulu will join the list of online streaming providers, like Netflix, that are prioritizing accessibility features and making the entertainment industry more accessible to the disability community.

Hulu offers online streaming services to over 20 million subscribers across the nation. However, none of Hulu's streaming content currently includes audio description-a separate audio track that narrates the key visual elements of video content between portions of dialogue to provide blind and low vision users a full media experience. For more on audio description, visit ACB's Audio Description Project. Under the settlement agreement, Hulu will begin obtaining these tracks for as much streaming content as possible and will adapt its video player so that users can enable and disable this feature, similar to the closed caption option that currently exists on Hulu's video player. Users will also be able to filter the Hulu streaming library based on the availability of audio description. Blind community members are enthusiastic about the new opportunity to fully enjoy Hulu's extensive programming selection.

Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, said, "Online-streaming of videos has become an increasingly important source of entertainment. DLC is extremely pleased that, as a result of this significant agreement with Hulu, our clients and other individuals who are blind and visually impaired will now be able to enjoy the streaming of programs from Hulu."

For more information, and to read our full press release on our website here.

The Victim Service Program was launched by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) to offer a private, trauma informed, wraparound model of service delivery to victims of crime who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, or Deaf/Blind. Individuals who have experienced a violent crime such as sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, or other crimes are connected to a Victim Service Navigator, who is fluent in ASL, to help with resources, referrals and communication access. 

This service is confidential, free of charge and able to serve individuals who speak English and/or other languages. If you need assistance, please call the Main Office and ask to be connected to our Program. MCDHH is able to offer these services through a Federal Victim of Crime Act Grant (VOCA) for a two year, one million dollar program in partnership with the MA Office for Victim Assistance. The new grant leverages experience gained through completing a 3 year grant with MOVA to serve over 200 survivors of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
Toll free numbers: 800.882.1155 (V) 

|617.326.7546 (VP) 

800.530.7570 (TTY)

www.mass.gov/mcdhh

Emergencies and Press Conference Interpreting: Who, What, When and How!

Who and What:  MCDHH is seeking to expand the pool of qualified interpreters to interpret during press conferences. Emergencies can happen anywhere throughout the state of Massachusetts and it is vital we have interpreters who are willing to do the work.

Presenters: Regan Thibodeau and Trenton Marsh



Workshop Summary:

Utilizing trained and highly skilled interpreters during emergency press conferences is crucial for communication access for those who depend on ASL for information in an emergency. It has long been a topic of interest and concern on the skills needed for this type of interpreting. Emergency press conferences are a key component in emergency services reaching across the State and beyond in addressing a specific public safety event: providing instructional warnings, sharing information on the potential impact of the event on public safety across the Commonwealth and addressing how the State will address those concerns. MCDHH seeks to expand the pool of qualified interpreters to ensure access to vital information is available to everyone in an effective manner.

This workshop will have two components:

One: Participants will gain a better understanding of how a press conference comes together and the challenges associated with logistics and timing in the provision of interpreter services.

Two: Interactive dialogue and hands on skills training on the necessary skills for working in this setting: target audience and language needs.

Educational Goals

Participants will gain a greater knowledge of the process (in Massachusetts) of how the Governor's office, Boston City Mayor's office and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency prepare for various emergency and disaster alert scenarios.

Participants will gain an understanding of the various factors that influence how press conferences are organized.  They will develop a better shared understanding of the language needs necessary for this type of assignment.

Registration:  Please email Denise Martinez at [email protected] with the information below or print and send the registration form to Denise Martinez at MCDHH, 600 Washington St. Boston MA 02111. Please make sure that your handwriting is legible and your email is correct. I will send a confirmation email upon receiving your registration. IF you email your registration and do not get a response within three (3) business days please contact me directly at 617-740-1600(v)/ 617-376-7546 (vp).

Name:

Email:

MassRID membership Y/N:

Registration is free to all on MCDHH's contract with the goal of developing a stronger workforce of qualified interpreters to cover emergency press conferences. High profile platform experience is required.

MassRID will provide an evaluation for the workshop at the end of each workshop for participant feedback. There will be an assessment process for approval after each workshop is complete to ensure individual participants are qualified to work in each setting.

This workshop is sponsored by MCDHH with CEU sponsorship pending from MassRID, 0081.1218.01.

MassRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities, CEUs are pending. This Professional Studies opportunity is offered at 1.00 CEUs/ACETs.

***CEUs are free to MassRID members/ non-members pay $10.00.

If you have any question please contact Denise Martinez (workshop coordinator) at 617-740-1600v/617-326-7546vp. Email [email protected].

Presenters, coordinators, and participants of this educational opportunity shall promote an environment of mutual respect, free from bias and discrimination. Should difficulties arise from the subject matter please speak the one of the presenters, the workshop coordinator or your supervisor. Our goal is to create a safe learning environment for all individuals. Should individuals need reasonable accommodations please contact the workshop coordinator above.

Regan Thibodeau has been teaching ASL and working in the field of interpreting since 1998. She earned her BA in the Linguistics of ASL and Interpreting from then followed with a MA in Teaching ASL as a Second Language. Regan has worked as a freelance interpreter since 2000 in various settings from educational to legal to medical serving diverse populations. Regan is currently a doctoral student in Public Policy with a concentration in Educational Leadership. She has also been researching Professional Deaf Interpreters in Educational Settings on the side. She lives with her husband, two children, and three Chihuahuas in the lovely state of Maine.

Trenton Marsh moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002 to ski "The Greatest Snow on Earth" during a 11 year journey as a ski bum across the mountains of the West. Soon after arriving in Utah, however, he found another calling and started on his journey as a CDI. After receiving his certification, he became a full time staff interpreter at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center and has been serving the Deaf and Interpreting communities ever since. He now shares his love of the outdoors and of skiing with his wife Bonnie and their two young children.