[Greater-Baltimore] FW: Audio description

Fri Apr 23 17:28:55 UTC 2021

Hello again everyone,

I just received the below communication from the engineering director at WMAR Channel 2, our ABC affiliate here in the Baltimore area. He says that the problem with audio description should now be fixed. We will need to verify this but at the very least we have drawn their attention to the problem, and hopefully resolved it. I note from information on NFB-NEWSLINE that tonight’s airing of “Shark Tank” on the channel at 8Pm is supposed to have audio description, so I would urge everyone to see if you can access AD for that program. If it is not working we may still have time to let the station know so they can identify the problem. If it is working, then we are all set for audio-described Oscar viewing on Sunday and the enjoyment of other AD programming from ABC going forward.

Warmly,

Chris

From: Iacia, Sal <sal.iacia at wmar.com>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 1:00 PM
To: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>
Cc: Rick Boggs <rick at audioeyes.com>; Lewis, Anil <ALewis at nfb.org>; 'alomabouma at gmail.com' <alomabouma at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Audio description

Chris,

Thanks you for bring this to my attention and it was an easy correction.  We replaced some equipment and the SAP was not selected, but is good to go now.  I appreciate you reaching out and please don’t hesitate in the future.

Best regards,
Sal

Sal Iacia | Director of Engineering
WMAR-2 News
6400 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212
www.wmar2news.com<http://www.wmar2news.com>
   [signature_1427617633]

From: "Danielsen, Chris" <CDanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:CDanielsen at nfb.org>>
Date: Friday, April 23, 2021 at 9:46 AM
To: "Iacia, Sal" <sal.iacia at wmar.com<mailto:sal.iacia at wmar.com>>
Cc: Rick Boggs <rick at audioeyes.com<mailto:rick at audioeyes.com>>, "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org<mailto:ALewis at nfb.org>>, "'alomabouma at gmail.com'" <alomabouma at gmail.com<mailto:alomabouma at gmail.com>>
Subject: Audio description

[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello Sal:

I am a blind viewer here in Baltimore. For a while now I have noticed that your signal does not seem to carry the Second Audio Program for audio description of programming for blind viewers. I have been meaning to bring this to your attention for a while but I mention it today with some urgency because ABC plans to air the Oscar ceremony on Sunday, as well as the pre- and post-shows, with live audio description for the blind. (See the attached press release.) It will be a shame if your many blind viewers in the Baltimore area cannot experience this. I am not sure whether you are not carrying the SAP signal from the network or if my cable provider, Comcast, is not passing it thru, but Comcast does pass thru audio description from other local channels, specifically WBAL and WJZ. I hope this is a simple fix that you can implement before Sunday. Please reach out to me at 410-262-1281 if you have questions.

This is also a matter of concern for the greater Baltimore Chapter of the National federation of the Blind of Maryland, for whom I serve as chair of advocacy and policy.

Warmly,

Chris Danielsen

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>
Twitter: @rlawyer

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