This post is to lend my support to our cause in fighting for Video Relay Service. I want to send a message to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that, as a Deaf Canadian, I amongst many other Deaf Canadians want to use VRS.
Canada is supposedly a progressive country, so why is it that we have been waiting 8 years for this?
It stops here! Today, in 9 out of 10 provinces, Deaf Canadians are banding together in rallies Canada to send our message across that this service is essential. We need this service to be able to place phone calls in our language- American Sign Language (ASL). The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that Deaf citizens have “a right to the assistance of an interpreter,” in situations where they do not “speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.” TTY devices do not allow for ASL or LSQ access, instead forcing consumers to use English or French. VRS, on the other hand, ensures that Deaf individuals contribute to their workplace, their community, and their families with equal efficiency. Deaf Canadians would like Video Relay Services as an option for telecommunications, in addition to type-written telecommunications.
As it stands today, I’m unable to call my family or call a restaurant to order some take out. I haven’t been able to do so for years and God forbid if I ever need to call 911 and I’m unable to. This is exactly why I’m going to the rally downtown in Calgary at 11:00AM to join other Deaf people in our protestations.
Here is a press release and another open letter by the Canadian Association of the Deaf to CRTC if you want to read for more information on this issue.
If you want to help out our cause, there are a few ways!
If you have Twitter- you can use the hashtag #SayYEStoVRS2012 and use CRTC’s twitter handle @CRTCeng. You can attend any of the rallies in provinces across Canada, there are information on the Internet if you want to stop by and add your voice to ours! Or leave comments on here, I would be sure to forward it to CRTC through letters or over the Internet.
Thank you for taking your time in reading this, even though it’s not related to gaming at all. It was too important not to share news like this, and we need every bit of support we can get. I hope that all has been well for everyone!
