Deaf people should have access to online courses just like anyone else. If you're having issues with requesting interpreters for your courses or examinations, use our advocacy letter! Download a copy here: Link #deafrights

VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Casavina browses the internet on her phone and comes across a post about a cosmetology course.

CASAVINA: Emergency!

SELENA: What what?!

CASAVINA: There’s an online lipstick course that shows you how to get luscious lips!

SELENA: Let me see!

[Selena looks at phone]

SELENA: I’m definitely joining you!

CASAVINA: Perfect, I’ll buy us tickets.

SELENA: Hold on. Will they provide interpreters?

CASAVINA: Well, they should have interpreters.

SELENA: Are you sure about that? They always say, “Sorry interpreters are not available.”

CASAVINA: Not with us.

SELENA: Okay, we’ll see about that.

Casavina calls the course hotline.

VRS Interpreter: Hello!

CASAVINA: Hi!

COURSE FRONT DESK: Hi. Welcome to Lip Fierce. How can I help you?

VRS Interpreter: Welcome to Lip Fierce. How can I help you?

CASAVINA: Hi, I’m excited to tell you I bought two tickets for your online lipstick course!

COURSE FRONT DESK: Yay! I am so excited to have you.

CASAVINA: Same here! Also, I'd like to request sign language interpreters please.

SELENA: Yes! (fingers crossed)!

COURSE FRONT DESK: Sign language interpreter? Oh sweetie, this is the lipstick course.

CASAVINA: Right. And we want to take your lipstick course.

COURSE FRONT DESK: Oh.

VRS Interpreter: Quiet.

Selena throws her hands up in disappointment.

CASAVINA (to Selena): Just wait.

COURSE FRONT DESK: Yeah, we don’t have sign language interpreters. Sorry. But don’t worry! We can refund you.

SELENA (to Casavina): See?

CASAVINA (to Selena): Just wait.

CASAVINA: We don’t want the refund. There’s a law that says you have to provide us access. Oh! I am going to email you a letter that explains this.

COURSE FRONT DESK: Okay. Bye.

Casavina hangs up.

CASAVINA (to Selena): Oh, just wait and see.

[Ten minutes later]

Casavina gets a phone alert from Lipstick Fierce Company.

CASAVINA: Oh!

Casavina (to Selena): See!? (Answers the phone).

VRS Interpreter: Hello again!

COURSE FRONT DESK: Hey, it’s me again.

Casavina: Hello!

COURSE FRONT DESK: I just read your advocacy letter for courses and exams and gosh, I am so sorry. I’m new to this, so don’t worry. I got you covered. Interpreters will be there!

Selena is visibly excited.

CASAVINA: Perfect! Thank you, I appreciate it.

COURSE FRONT DESK: Yay! I’m excited.

Casavina claps.

Casavina (to Selena): See?!

Selena claps.

SELENA: Yay, I cannot wait!

[later]

Casavina and Selena are watching the course on a laptop and applying makeup at the same time, for a class assignment. Video cuts to behind Casavina and Selena and we see an interpreter on screen as a PIP, with the teacher.

SELENA: Look at my luscious lips!

CASAVINA: Look at mine!