Complaint sent to "TV Guide" magazine

The NAD has received numerous complaints about TV Guide no longer identifying shows that are captioned. The NAD has sent an email to changes@tvguide.com [2] and encourage interested deaf and hard of hearing individuals to do the same. A copy of the NAD’s correspondence is below. Please feel free to copy and revise the first three paragraphs for your own correspondence.

To whom it may concern:

We have received a number of complaints that TV Guide no longer identify shows that are captioned.

The identifying markers are needed not only for deaf and hard of hearing individuals who depend on captions to enjoy television programming, but also foreign speakers and individuals with limited writing and reading skills who use captions to improve their literacy skills. The markers are also used by parents who select captioned shows to help their children develop their reading and writing skills.

Accordingly, the National Association of the Deaf urges you to reinstate the identifying markers. To leave out such markers is to exclude millions of deaf and hard of hearing individuals from the enjoyment of television programming as well as their reliance on TV Guide as a bridge between television watchers and television programming.

Established in 1880, the NAD is the oldest and largest consumer-based national advocacy organization safeguarding the civil and accessibility rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. A private non-profit organization, the NAD is a dynamic federation of State associations and organizational affiliates and direct members. Primary areas of focus include grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, deafness-related information and publications, legal rights and technical assistance, policy development and research, and youth leadership development.

Kelby Brick, Esq.
Associate Executive Director for Law & Advocacy
National Association of the Deaf