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[TRANSCRIPT: On Sept 23rd, the federal court ordered the White House to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for press briefings that discuss coronavirus starting on Oct 1st. This is amazing news! This order applies to all White House press briefings that talk about coronavirus and happen on the White House grounds or any federal agency. The order compels the White House to include the ASL interpreters in frame while live-streaming the video of the press briefings on the White House website. This is separate from the TV networks. While the TV networks are not part of the lawsuit, the White House must share the video of the ASL interpreters with the TV networks. We hope they will show the ASL interpreters on TV and we will actively encourage them to include the ASL interpreter feed. This is a historic case! For the first time in history, a court has ordered the White House to comply with the Rehabilitation Act, which includes providing ASL interpreters for press briefings. This case focuses only on ASL access to press briefings about coronavirus, as this was the urgent reason for bringing the lawsuit. Separate from this case, we will continue to advocate that the White House provides ASL interpreters for all press briefings in the future. We thank Ian Hoffman and his legal team at Arnold & Porter for their hard work with us in bringing this successful lawsuit. We also thank Carlton Strail, Graham Forsey, Debra Fleetwood, John Rivera Jr, and Corey Axelrod, for being the plaintiffs who shared their stories that made this case possible. Now, you’re wondering what's next? It depends. It's possible that there will be further legal challenges or an appeal. We will have to wait and see but, the judge has gone on the record and agreed that no ASL interpreters at the COVID briefings is a violation of our civil rights. We will continue to advocate for communication access for all press briefings. Thank you.]

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   DeafJoker2 Reply

   4 years ago

   ReplyTo:   NAD