Dr. Phil Episode on Deaf-Blind Triplets Added to Captioned Free-Loan Media Program

Dr. Phil Episode on Deaf-Blind Triplets Added to Captioned Free-Loan Media Program

From the Described and Captioned Media Program 6/26/09 http://www.dcmp.org


The last week of June is devoted to the recognition of people who are deaf-blind. Originally intended to pay homage to Helen Keller, the deaf-blind woman who was born this week over a century ago, the week now focuses on increasing public awareness and understanding of deaf-blindness. More than a decade ago, Deaf-Blind Awareness Week became an event officially recognized by the Federal government.

The Helen Keller National Center reports that there are approximately 70,000 people in the United States who have both hearing and vision loss. Of these 70,000, the only known deaf-blind triplets live in Texas with their mother, stepfather, and older sister.

In 2006, the mother of these triplets, her husband, and his mother appeared on the Dr. Phil show to discuss the trials, anxiety, tribulations, and triumphs associated with raising their young girls.

We are proud to announce that the DCMP has acquired this episode for our free-loan collection. Though the original broadcast was closed-captioned, the DCMP has created versions that feature high-quality open captions and--for the first time in Dr. Phil show history--description. This title is ideal for parents of children who are deaf-blind or for parents or teachers who seek to relate to the experiences encountered by parents of children who are deaf-blind.

NVRC NOTE: To register for the DCMP program, go to http://www.dcmp.org/Register.aspx

. It’s FREE to all K-12 students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind as well as teachers, other professionals, and family members whose use benefits these students.

To order "Silent Darkness," from the DCMP copy the following URL into your web browser:

http://www.dcmp.org/Catalog/titledetail.aspx?TID=6290


Note how equal accessibility--description and captioning--compares with the closed-captioned broadcast of the show. If you feel it's better, get out there and advocate for more accessibility options on TV, DVD, and the internet. Just as each individual makes a difference in the triplets' lives, so, too, does each letter, phone call, and e-mail to media producers, letting them know accessibility makes a difference to you.

You may also want to consider showing your support of children with hearing and vision loss by making a donation to the deaf-blind children's fund established by the family of the triplets by visiting the following URL:

http://deafblindchildren.org/


Thanks to Eli McCowan, Phillip G. Smith and Blaise Delahoussaye

Distributed 2009 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030; www.nvrc.org. 703-352-9055 V, 703-352-9056 TTY, 703-352-9058 Fax. Items in this newsletter are provided for information purposes only; NVRC does not endorse products or services. This news service is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your email address, or report problems, contact cheppner@nvrc.org