This historic election may be not only a first for blacks or women, but Tuesday definitely will be a first for the deaf and hard-of-hearing population. National Public Radio, Harris Corp. and Towson University have partnered to simulcast the first live, captioned radio broadcast of NPR’s election coverage.
“There’s some symbolism here,” said Ellyn Sheffield, co-director of the Towson University-based International Center for Accessible Radio Technology, which is coordinating the election broadcast.
The captioned radio broadcast will be demonstrated through several NPR stations nationwide, including WTMD-FM, which is Towson University’s commercial-free, listener-supported station, and also will be available online. Those attending the event at the university can watch the radio speech be transcribed into text onto a screen using a special receiver.
Nearly 7 million people in the nation are either deaf or hard of hearing, and more than 28 million report have trouble with their hearing, according to a study from Gallaudet University, which provides liberal education and career development for deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students in Washington, D.C. The Baltimore region has more than 2.5 million deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, according to the state office of deaf and hard of hearing.
“We’re doing this because we received interest from this population, and we think it’s an underserved population,” said Jim Burke, spokesman for Harris Corp., an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets.
“Before, they basically would have had to search for a different medium, whether that be TV or the Internet. They have been shut out since the advent of radio.”
Radio has its own special appeal, with its personalities and unique news coverage.
“NPR is proud to play a role in bridging the gap that exists between the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and the unique experience that radio provides,” said Mike Starling, vice president and chief technology officer of NPR. Officials hope feedback from those watching will help them improve the technology and gauge the topics of most interest. Captioned radio content could be made available on a wide scale, just as it is on television, in the near future, officials said.
“It’s dependent on several factors like receiver manufactures,” Sheffield said. “But you also need to have it captioned 24/7, and that’s a daunting task as well.”
The event for the Baltimore region will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Minnegan Room in the Field House at the Johnny Unitas Stadium Complex at Towson University.
It is by invitation only. o make a request, e-mail [email protected]. The online link for the broadcast can be found at harris.com.
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