[Trainer-Talk] Comcast Launches Customer Service Program For the Deaf Community in American Sign Language

Tue Dec 3 22:59:58 UTC 2019

Given Comcast's history and practice of not even captioning its own television commercials or Comcast-produced telephone shows, this is a departure!

Gary

(my opinions are mine and mine alone and I embrace them and do not claim to represent my employer)

-----Original Message-----
From: David Goldfield via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, December 3, 2019 5:32 PM
To: trainer-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: David Goldfield <david.goldfield at outlook.com>
Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Comcast Launches Customer Service Program For the Deaf Community in American Sign Language

Comcast RSS Feed - Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 12:55 PM

Comcast Launches Customer Service Program For the Deaf Community in American Sign Language

“The Internet is an incredible resource so long as you have the skills and the tools to use it,” said David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast Corporation.  “By partnering with Connect Direct and working with the deaf community, we want to address and break down the barriers to broadband adoption that are unique to this population.  That starts by being able to speak with customers in their native language.”

“We are especially happy to partner with Comcast on this initiative, which represents a significant leap forward in broadening the reach of services available in ASL and creating more avenues for fuller participation of deaf people in society,” said Christopher Soukup, Chief Executive Officer of CSD. “Comcast’s commitment to launching an ASL customer service center underlines a shift in attitude by major corporations in recognizing the value of deaf people and the benefit and ease in delivering exceptional customer service through their customers’ language of choice.”

In line with Comcast’s commitment to make products, services, and experiences accessible to the widest possible audience including people with disabilities, Comcast also announced today that it created an internetessentials.com/accessibility landing page, with direct links to the new ASL Now chat function, the ability to order collateral materials in Braille and large print, and an accessibility-specific FAQ.  Additionally, the Learning Center on the Internet Essentials website now includes nearly 50 Internet safety and digital literacy videos with closed captions for the deaf.  Topics include: online safety and security, basic uses of the Internet, and how to get various things done online.  The website is also operable with assistive technologies, such as screen reader software, for the blind or visually impaired.  Earlier this year, Comcast announced a partnership with the American Association of People with Disabilities<https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/comcast-american-association-of-people-with-disabilities-digital-divide>  and, working together, the two organizations will continue to add even more digital literacy training content to the Learning Portal that will be specifically designed for people with disabilities.

Comcast’s commitment to launching an ASL customer service center underlines a shift in attitude by major corporations in recognizing the value of deaf people and the benefit and ease in delivering exceptional customer service through their customers’ language of choice.

Christopher Soukup

Chief Executive Officer, CSD

At PSD, Comcast also surprised 90 students by giving them free tablets and six months of complimentary Internet service at home through the Internet Essentials program.  Additionally, in partnership with Dell Technologies, the Company announced it will donate new computer equipment to PSD for students to learn vital digital skills.

At a second event at the Nationalities Services Center (NSC), Comcast announced the grand opening of NSC’s new computer lab.  Funded in part by a Comcast Foundation grant, the lab will become part of the City of Philadelphia’s KEYSPOT network of public, private, and nonprofit organizations that provide technology, training, and other opportunities through community-based public access centers computing labs. Additionally, a second accelerator grant was announced to fund increased instructor hours and provide for a wider range of classes, including basic word processing and office productivity. At that event, Comcast surprised 75 clients of NSC’s employment programs with free laptop computers and six months of complimentary Internet service at home.

“We in local government have a critical role to play in increasing opportunities and improving equitable outcomes for all Philadelphians,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Promoting digital inclusion and literacy, along with job readiness to support immigrants and refugees who are building their careers and foundations in our city, is key to realizing the goals outlined in our workforce development and inclusive growth strategies. I applaud Comcast Foundation and Nationalities Service Center for adding this new computer lab to our citywide KEYSPOT network.”

https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/comcast-customer-service-deaf-community-american-sign-language 

     David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist

Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
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