Bionic Ear Blog

I heard the news on Twitter from an unexpected source: @marleematlin. I happened to browse Twitter and caught her tweet. It’s great to have someone with her name speaking out about Netflix’s lack of captions on streamed movies. Like it or not, celebrities can make things happen a little faster than as ornery folk.

Netflix responded to the caption issue in its blog. While I appreciate the company’s action to deliver captions in 2010, I take issue with a few things:

1. Silverlight: “Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) is on Microsoft’s Board of Directors.” No wonder why Netflix is only looking at Silverlight instead of what’s best and fastest. Heck, I captioned my own YouTube video. Also see http://www.codeplex.com/amp. Besides, Microsoft hasn’t implemented all of the SAMI specs.
2. A year? Really? Even the major TV networks caption full-episodes. Hey, Hulu even does some!

Pshaw. Give us a better answer, Netflix. Not looking at the gift horse in the mouth, but the fact you’re letting your own “constraints” affect customer service.

Posted by at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You may have seen Fomdi, a web site that helps you locate captioned movies (either open caption or rear window) by zip code and how far the theaters are from your home. Fomdi has a Google search-like interface. It provides a great service, but it doesn’t catch every movie. Today, it shows only one captioned movie within 40 miles of me.

CaptionFish does the same except it detects your location and has a sleek 2.0 web interface. Captionfish shows six captioned movies within 30 miles of me. I know this list is more accurate because I checked with the theaters’ web sites and newspaper.

Nonetheless, Captionfish goes the extra mile and provides captioned movie trailers! So if you find a movie of interest, you can watch its trailer right there if it’s available (not all movies have a captioned trailer). If you want to see what movies will be available tomorrow or for the next seven days, be sure to switch to the “7 Day” tab as I almost missed it. It also has a mobile version of the set as the next image shows a screen shot from a BlackBerry Curve.

Great interface, high usability and valuable features make CaptionFish worthy becoming a part of the entertainment toolbox for those who rely on captions.

Posted by at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Amazing Race’s Luke responded to a question that confirmed that some deaf people (me included) tend to be more defensive than the average person. Here’s the interview response I’m talking about:

The deaf community has responded very positively. They were very happy with how I played the game and that I made the final three. They were a little disappointed about the Kisha and Jen incident. It’s kind of the deaf-culture thing that the natural reaction is to protect myself when I’m bumped into. I was also really upset when Jen called me a bitch because I couldn’t hear what she said. She should’ve said it to my face and not behind my back. I thought that was a very cowardly thing to do and I felt like she kind of got away with that. The deaf community was mad about that.

We don’t want people to view us as pushovers or say something about us out of our view when we’re right there. If a hearing person can hear it, then be fair and tell the deaf person in front of him or her. Luckily, I can recognize a few words my kids say when they’re mad and catch them red-handed when they walk away calling me names or saying inappropriate stuff.

I wonder what other habits I have that are common for deaf people, but uncommon for hearing people.

Posted by at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Laura Carlson provides loads of links to great articles on accessibility in web design. Want to share them with you.

Create Your Own Accessibility Statement: “An accessibility statement has two basic functions. Firstly, it presents clear information about the target level of web accessibility for the website and the methods used to achieve those targets.Secondly, an accessibility statement is a powerful declaration of commitment.”

Web Accessibility Statements - The Best Of Intentions, Clearly Stated.

Pitfalls of Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools

Finest worksong: Covers evolution of web accessibility.

Captioning and Audio Description: Good discussion on the topic. Be sure to scroll down — kinda funky looking interface.

Learning about Video and Captioning: One person’s experience.

The alt attribute is NOT for tooltips: Right on!

How to Provide Alternatives to Non Text Content on a Website: In nine steps.

How POUR is your blog? Ebook by the talented Glenda Watson Hyatt. POUR = Perceivable Operable Understandable Robust

Posted by at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

OK, sometimes I feel like I should learn how to create a neutral look on my face and talk as little as possible.

Or else someone misinterprets a perfectly friendly or innocent comment or look for something negative.

My famous look: Quiet. We all have quiet days. When I am quiet, I just don’t feel the desire to socialize, have much to say or have things on my mind. This look, many times, comes across to others as anger. Gosh, do I have an angry look except when I smile? I hope not.

What can I do? I don’t have time to stare at myself in the mirror on a quiet day and try to morph it into a different look.

We all holler to our family members who are not in the same room as we are. The comments aren’t anger. They could be reminders, check in, questions and whatnot. All neutral emotions.

One day, Paul (hubby) reported that I sounded mad.

Eh?

So I walk into another room and hollered, “Are you OK?” Returned to him and asked if I still sounded mad.

“Yes.”

D’oh!

If my family can’t figure out my real emotions, imagine others who don’t know me as well as they do.

I like to joke around and kid with people. What may sound like a negative or insult, I meant to say in a funny way. People make the same kinds of comments, so I know I am not being a bad joker. Now I wonder if I should refrain from trying to be funny aloud.

Good thing I conduct most of my business online without any face-to-face interactions or talking with my voice.

Nonetheless, in-person contact is important. I go to PTA meetings, volunteer at schools and with nonprofits, play tennis and attend events.

Unfortunately, there’s no good solution. I can’t be someone I am not. I try to live my life as a kind, caring, honest and conscientious person. Of course, I have my weaknesses and those probably come through more.

Maybe being aware of this will help me improve in communicating with others.

Posted by at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I remember in the ’80s when pins were popular and full of Valley Girl talk. One popular pin was “I’m not deaf, I’m ignoring you.” I had one as it made for a good laugh.

Paul (hubby) was talking to another parent at yesterday’s T-ball practice. She told him about her husband attending our kids’ school book fair. Apparently, he was going on and on while I didn’t pay attention to him.

He turned to his wife and asked why I was ignoring him. Thankfully, she knew about my deafness.

I’ve heard stories like this over the years and it makes me shudder. I’d like to think I’m a nice person who pays attention when people talk to me. It’s harder to tell when there’s more noise and a crowd. I figure the voices I hear are people talking around me and not to me.

I hate it when people think I’m rude without my having done anything to deserve it. I’d rather earn it :)

Posted by at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)