Corporate
Comcast at the Smithsonian Institution’s Festival for the ADA’s 25th Anniversary
This Sunday marks the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and we are excited to be presenting our latest accessibility innovations this weekend in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution’s Festival for the ADA’s 25th Anniversary celebration. The ADA has changed the lives of those with disabilities and we are proud to showcase this technology on the steps of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, featuring a special exhibit highlighting American achievements and innovations that captures the significance and legacy of the ADA.
I know firsthand that technology can be a great equalizer, and I am proud to work alongside people who are committed to making our products and services accessible to all our customers. At Comcast, we work hard to develop new innovations that open new doors to independence for those with disabilities.
This weekend, as we look back on the ADA’s incredible legacy, our accessibility team will be on hand to walk visitors through the industry’s first TV "talking guide," a voice guidance feature that gives customers with visual disabilities the freedom to independently explore thousands of TV shows and movies.
Our talking guide was honored earlier this year with the FCC’s Advancement in Accessibility Award as well as similar recognition from the Associated Services for the Blind, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the American Council of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind.
We will also demonstrate our voice-activated remote control which provides a new level of independence to customers who have limited mobility or dexterity, or have a visual disability.
The talking guide and voice-activated control are just two in a series of innovations created in the Comcast Accessibility Lab. In addition to voice guidance and one-touch access to closed captioning, Comcast created an online help and support resource for Xfinity customers looking for information about accessibility-related topics. We also have a service center specifically dedicated to customers with disabilities where a team of specially trained care agents handles about 10,000 calls each month.
We believe the power of TV is universal and we will continue to develop new technologies to bring the magic of entertainment to everyone. Watching "Emily’s Oz", a video that features a seven-year-old girl who was born blind and highlights her description of what she sees when she watches her favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz™, it’s easy to see why we work so hard to ensure that all people who love film and television have the opportunity to experience it to its fullest.
For those of you in the Washington, D.C. area, we hope you’ll join us this weekend at the Smithsonian Institution’s Festival for the ADA’s 25th Anniversary celebration. Our demonstrations will take place on the terraces outside the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History between 12:00 pm and 4:45 pm Friday through Sunday.