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

Wed Dec 4 00:42:25 UTC 2019

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://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcorporate.comcast.com%2Fpress%2Freleases%2Fcomcast-american-association-of-people-with-disabilities-digital-divide&data=02%7C01%7C%7C21a211ebc7f945baeb0308d77840e161%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637110092355714533&sdata=1IQdEc3XtCWe9pv0Wb8ALFW6%2B4KwiZ9DOtBGNcmgliI%3D&reserved=0> 
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.”

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David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist

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