Tuesday, June 30, 2009

NETFLIX WILL HAVE SUBTITLES NEXT YEAR

Good News Remember my Old Post about Netflix not having Subtitles for deaf/hearing impaired customers? Well Today the good is about to arive but WILL NOT TAKE PLACE TILL NEXT YEAR!!!!! Check out this Information below:

An article published at afterdawn.com on June 16, 2009 has reported that Netflix will be adding captioning to its web streamed videos next year:

Netflix to add subtitles to streaming videos next year

Netflix has announced that it will finally add subtitles to its video streaming library, however, not until next year. CEO Reed Hastings says the lack of subtitles has been one of the biggest complaints about the service's "Watch Instantly" streaming library. Netflix will finish creating the text files that will "give customers the option of enacting captions on digital titles on devices using Microsoft’s Silverlight components sometime in 2010, adds Netflix chief product officer Neil Hunt.

“Captioning is in our development plans but is about a year away,” Hunt finished.

You can find the article and submit a comment at:

AfterDawn's Website


Smile-Hugs,
Danielle

Monday, June 22, 2009

New Cochlear Implant Handbook

Do you have a Cochlear Implant? (CI) or If you are a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant, PRE-ORDER this book today:

Cochlear Implants- A Handbook ( Paperback) by Bonnie Poitras Tucker.

This Title has not yet been released. Will be Released on July 5th, 2009.

This book explains in a simple manner how Cochlear Implants work. This author tells her own experience with the Implant.

You can Pre-Order now by clicking here.


Smile-Hugs,

Danielle

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Subject Views on captioning online video from the CEO of Netflix

Below is an Email I recieved and would like to SHARE with you ALL:

Folks,For those who don't know, Netflix is a company that distributes DVDs by mail to millions of subscribers. It's a great service.

About 18 months ago, they also started offering a service that would deliver
content to your computer or television, via the Internet, that you could
start watching virtually immediately. This method of delivery is,
unquestionably, the wave of the future. Unfortunately, these streaming
videos contain none of the subtitle or caption information present on almost
every DVD out there.

A recent article on a financial blog is making waves in the captioning and
deaf blogospheres. At a sparsely attended annual shareholder¹s meeting, the
author asked Netflix's CEO, Reed Hastings, about the lack of captioning.
Hastings basically said they don¹t care about the issue that much, and when
everyone else has captions, they¹ll add captions.

Nice answer, huh?

Anyway, here's a link to the original post. CLICK HERE

I couldn¹t find an email for Hastings, or for other senior managers at
Netflix, but this is the sort of issue where public pressure can make a
difference. If you have a Netflix subscription, consider canceling, and when
they ask, tell them why. If you¹re considering a Netflix subscription, think
twice.

As a community that relies on captioning, I refuse to support a company that
refuses to support us. Just my two cents...

Michael Kaplan
HLA Los Angeles


FOR YOUR INFORMATION(FYI)- Consumer organizations are writing letters about this, and it is important that individual consumers write letters as well. Your individual letters will help in advocacy efforts. If you are a member, say so. If you intend to be a member, say what you need. Here is the address:

Reed Hastings
Chief Executive Officer & President
Netflix, Inc
100 Winchester Circle
Los Gatos, CA 95032


I thought this was a great email to post!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE for those of you that dont know about this situation and use NETFLIX PLEASE WRITE LETTERS!!! This is the ONLY WAY**** OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD.


Thanks


Smile-Hugs,
Danielle

CLOSED CAPTIONING ISSUES?

IS YOUR CLOSED CAPTION
- GARBLED?
-DELAYED?
- IN THE WRONG PLACE ON THE SCREEN?
-JUMPING AROUND ON SCREEN?
-FLASHING?
-OVERLAPPING?
-FILLING UP THE SCREEN?

IF SO PLEASE TAKE THIS CAPTIONING SURVEY BECAUSE THIS SURVEY IS REPORTED TO THE FCC!!!

CLICK HERE IT GOES DIRECTLY** TO THE WEBSITE. IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BUT IT WELL WORTH IT.


I AM HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE WITH MY CAPTIONS ON TV. ITS RIDICULOUS AND FRUSTRATING I CONTACTED VERIZON WHICH IS MY CABLE COMPANY THEY SAY THIS OVER AND OVER... " WE ARE TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM". THEY BEEN SAYING THIS FOR MONTHS... MY MOM CHANGED THE BOX BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BOX. ITS NOT THE BOX ITS STILL CONTINUOUSLY. ITS ANNOYING. AT THIS POINT I DONT WATCH MUCH TV ANYMORE. WHY SHOULD I ??? I'M NOT GETTING THE CORRECT INFORMATION. WHEN I WATCH ONE OF MY SHOWS AT NIGHT TWO IN A HALF MEN ON CHANNEL 11 ITS ALL JUMBLED YOU CANT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHATS GOING ON IN THE SHOW. ITS COMPLICATED.

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD AND IF THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO FILL OUT A QUICK SURVEY PLEASE DO!!!!

THANKS!

SMILE-HUGS

DANIELLE

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Hear Well In A Noisy World, CaptionFish,Fomdi

Click the Link to read- Hear Well In a Noisy World from the July 2009 Consumer Report Magazine.


Thanks to a friend of mine FRIEDA who told me about CAPTIONFISH. I never heard of this website before. Check out Frieda's Cooking Blog by clicking on her name. She loves to cook! Everytime I read her blog I get HUNGRY!

CaptionFish.com is a website for deaf/hard of hearing people who want to see CAPTIONED MOVIES. All you have to do is go to the website and it will give you Closed Caption Movies within 30 miles of where you live. Pretty Neat!
I also use Fomdi.com which is another website you can use.
I havent gone to CAPTIONED movies in months because there arent any good movies playing out there YET.

FYI: For those of you that dont know OC or RWC is here is some information can help you.

RWC- Rear Window Captioned- Which is a fiberglass reflector that is used to read a text off a LCD display mounted in the back of the theater.

OC- Opened Captioned Movies- A movie's text is superimposed over the screen images. Meaning its on the entire screen just like at home when you have you Closed Caption on the TV. Same thing.

Have A Great Weekend!

Smile-Hugs,
Danielle

Friday, June 5, 2009

Silent World....

I have been busy pass few days... SCRAPBOOKING my new hobby. It's been really weird being in the SILENT WORLD pass few weeks. My biggest fear is not knowing if someone bugular is robbing the house. I am trying my best to stay positive. I wish I can get a hearing aid buy my insurance co stinks and I have to wait till October. I basically GIVE UP!!! Maybe its better for me to be in a silent world. Although I must admit its a really hard challenge, I never thought I have to face. You know my entire life I was so confused why I was in a weird classroom setting with people that where basically CHALLENGING kids. I realized now that im older. It wasnt the PROPER SETTING I WAS SUPPOSE TO BE IN. I was wondering why I was being pulled out most of the time. NOT LEARNING A DARN THING. So I see these amazing kids deaf/hard of hearing kids just HEARING the world with either aids or CI. Learning In School and It just amazes me the TECHNOLOGY out there. It kills me that I didnt get the proper schooling, education I needed in order to suceed. Yes I had so much therapy but I always was confused because I DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. I DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME. My mother told me " SHE THOUGHT I KNEW". Truthfully I didnt. Now, As I sit here in a SILENT ATMOSPHERE its killing me. Maybe I am better off being deaf. I want to share something with you.

My little sister Toniann was taken by the ambulance the other day to the ER. She couldnt breathe. Shes 20 weeks pregnant. Hours later turns out she has GALLSTONES. My older sister and I went to the ER, but we couldnt go into the room because they just dont allow it. So There was a few people in the waiting room. This one woman Im assuming it was her sister who was in labor was talking to my sister. I was trying to figure out what was being said. I was confused. I hate asking " WHAT SHE SAY WHAT THEY SAY". I know it annoys everyone. I guess my point is I dont know how to properly ask for help when it comes to my HEARING LOSS. Now that Im DEAF. Its even harder. I remember back when I was severe-profound and when I was even moderate - severe, I was always struggling one on one with a person, trying to put my aid on the highest volume knowing that it makes it louder but I couldnt really make anything out. I dont know how to properly adjust. I am glad that I know ASL. I think Im going to be using it alot more and I hope that my family will learn now. Its time. I think its time for a new adjustment and more support. I may not show that I am struggling but I am. I wanna be able to hear. Sometimes I dont wanna hear because of my TINNITUS... Its been so bad the tinnitus worst than ever. Theres nothing anyone can do for me. Ontop of all this I have a seziure condition and god knows when I will ever get better. For now, im just keeping busy with scrapbooking, taking pictures with my new camera and reading.

My sister and I went to Fridays today for dinner. She asked me if I could hear this song. I said NO. I started to get a little choked up and laughed instead ( thats what I do when im nervous) lol. Well I couldnt hear it. She asked me a question..." Can you hear this song? NO I cant I told her.

" You know how come hearing impaired people talk different than you... Why arent you talking that way if you cant HEAR". I didnt know what to say. Because I WAS NEVER asked that question before. Im glad she asked me this kind of question because truthfully we never spoke about my hearing loss together. So I told her every hearing impaired person is different. Im assuming because I had so much therapy from BOCES and SPEECH that is why I talk 100% fine like a HEARING Person. Its the truth if you heard my voice you would think nothing of me having a hearing loss. Thats been a fact since forever. So anyway, I think thats why. I dont know its a new life for me. I have no idea how to answer this question. I am just one confused person. Music- was part of my life as much as I heard MUMBLE all the time. I usually looked up the lyrics and just listened to the beat. My favorite band is Lifehouse. This summer they are coming out with a new album. Its killing me that I wont be able to hear it. Unless, some miracle happens.

So its 12am here Im going to sleep. Thanks for letting me vent.


Smile-Hugs,

Danielle

Thursday, June 4, 2009

"Living In an Audio World"

Are you deaf or hard of hearing person who is having trouble being alerted to the telephone ringing, the doorbell? Great News for you there is WONDERFUL VIDEO on how to explore different use of VISUAL ALERTING DEVICES. For the Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

I am now profoundly deaf, I have been thinking about getting visual alerting devices for my new CAPTEL telephone and for the DOORBELL.

Check out this Great* Video:
Living in an Audio World

Find out what type of Signalers and Receivers you can purchase. By clicking Harris Communications Link.
Shop at HARRIS COMMUNICATIONS.


If you have purchased one of the devices, Please feel free to COMMENT on my blog and let me know how you like your device.

Hope this can be Helpful to many of you.


Smile-Hugs,
Danielle

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

HANDS AND VOICES

Here is another Helpful website thanks to Karen who said, there are tons of articles on there written by parents, deaf/hard of hearing adults and professionals.

CHECK OUT HANDS AND VOICES WEBSITE
for more information.



Smile-Hugs,
Danielle

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

For Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

I havent been around pass few days because I been so busy with a new hobby SCRAPBOOKING! Well anyways, I got a great email today from a friend who happens to be a parent who has a deaf child. Here is a new website called BEGINNINGS which is for parents who children are deaf and Hard of Hearing. Its a very interesting WEBSITE. I am sure itll help many of you so please feel free to check this out. The reason why Im putting this up because its very HELPFUL INFORMATION. My parents didnt know any of this stuff when I was little. So my goal is to PROVIDE many PARENTS with as much information as POSSIBLE.

BEGINNINGS For Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

There is also a PARENT MANUAL which was basically written by parents who have deaf/hard of hearing kids. It includes chapters on acceptance of feelings and coping strategies, the auditory systems, childhood hearing loss, assistive technology, communication options, education and advocacy, and a national resource listing.



Click here to purchase the book is only $20.00!

So If you a parent who happens to have a deaf/hard of hearing child, PLEASE visit this website and buy this manual.


Smile-Hugs,
Danielle