DEAF CON [ Copy of t=13487 ]

[TheCotMan]

Re: DEAF CON

Who would I contact for the InfoBooth?

If you visit https://www.defcon.org/html/links/dc-goons.html and search for keyword "info" you should be able to find several goons with "info" and "booth" as part of their title. These would be people you could start with. They may be able to direct you to best person to help you with this. One you might try first is FAWCR. Email is spelled out as part of "contact."

Hope this helps,
-Cot

[arose4beni]

Re: DEAF CON

Maybe consider reaching out to the folks at the InfoBooth, and see if that space can serve as your point of presence at the con.

Who would I contact for the InfoBooth?

[arose4beni]

Re: DEAF CON

Thank you everyone for the updates!

To answer your question russ, so far we have two interpreters who would be willing to volunteer their time for on-floor interpretation: Knollgrass and his friend. DEAF CON would need to raise funds to get them out to DEF CON. You can contact him if you have any questions. He would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

The InfoBooth sounds like a good idea. Thanks!


I'll probably have more input when I'm not exhausted.

[russ]

Re: DEAF CON

Okay, so the fundraising thing is a good idea, then. I assume some of the folks that would be doing the translation at some of these other events aren't normal attendees? Do you have a list of people that would be doing this? Maybe consider reaching out to the folks at the InfoBooth, and see if that space can serve as your point of presence at the con. For instance, if you know ahead of time that you'll have 1-2 folks stationed there, you could do a write-up for the program, explaining the process for acquiring translation services.

Additionally, if you know ahead of time which folks are going to be working on this, then you could put their head shots in the program (if you wanted), so hearing impaired folks could spot them in a crowd if needed.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEAF CON

I'm asking you personally, Deviant Ollam, for your patience and understanding while we move forward with this.

my patience you shall always have, of course. Perhaps i should have worded my other post more clearly... I'm not advocating for what will make me happier, but rather what will best serve the Deaf community members who choose to attend DEFCON.

then we find we're paying more for just these services than each individual is paying for their badge.

indeed, the costs are substantial for live translators... hence, as was specified in the original proposal, DEFCON proper would not be on the hook for any such costs. If DEFCON wants to use their funds for specific elements (like CART systems) we wouldn't opposed that at all... but we are not expecting DEFCON to support DEAF CON financially in any way.

[russ]

Re: DEAF CON

Deviant: We're figuring out what plan works best at this point. While I understand that you're striving specifically for "what makes you happier", we have to consider the larger picture, not just you. Without going into details at this point, I'll just tell you that this is NOT being ignored. Charel has been in contact with multiple vendors, sporting multiple solutions. Factors impacting how this finally gets implemented include: the number of events, the costs involved, legal requirements, best bang for the buck, number of expected attendees to utilize this service, etc.

If we look at a arguably generous estimate of 1% of the US population (roughly 3 million) being deaf or hard of hearing, then apply that to the estimated 12k-13k people at the con, we end up with about 130 people max. If we divide that number into the cost of some of the quotes we've received, then we find we're paying more for just these services than each individual is paying for their badge. We're taking this VERY seriously, and taking steps to ensure accessibility exists. Believe me, I'm deaf in my left ear (which is why you're singing on the Goon Band now). So this is important to me. But we need a solution that works for DEFCON.

I'm sure you'll get a better post from someone else soon, but I'm asking you personally, Deviant Ollam, for your patience and understanding while we move forward with this. We've managed to pull this show together for 20 years straight. We'll do it again.

Thanks for showing an interest and being involved.

-Russ

I received an email from Charel (one of the long-time coordinators who works with both DEFCON and the venues, etc) and she stated that the primary notion DEFCON proper is considered is a CART system (real-time text captioning)

What is the community's feeling about this? While I support anything that can increase the enjoyment and appreciation of DEFCON among others, it surely would have made me much happier to learn of some support for live translation... simply given how much more accessible the use of ASL is for Deaf individuals. If others feel this way, let's continue to talk about how we can go about raising the funds to get volunteer translators out to Vegas this summer.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEAF CON

I received an email from Charel (one of the long-time coordinators who works with both DEFCON and the venues, etc) and she stated that the primary notion DEFCON proper is considered is a CART system (real-time text captioning)

What is the community's feeling about this? While I support anything that can increase the enjoyment and appreciation of DEFCON among others, it surely would have made me much happier to learn of some support for live translation... simply given how much more accessible the use of ASL is for Deaf individuals. If others feel this way, let's continue to talk about how we can go about raising the funds to get volunteer translators out to Vegas this summer.

[Nikita]

Re: DEAF CON

It's been nearly another month that has now passed.

Again, thank you for bringing it to our attention that the community has a need for this and we will work on the solution to it internally. When we decide what we will do, we will announce it.

There is not much more I can say, we don't need to create a sub forum or a call for solutions just yet, since you told us it's needed, we are working on providing the solution to that need. There are many things to consider and we do support this, but I think that when it comes to something like this, (of a sensitive nature considering ADA compliancy and our potential legal responsibility), we need to handle it in-house.

Volunteers are a welcome thought, and we appreciate that. As of now, all I can say is that I appreciate that you guise brought it to our attention. When we are ready for the next step we will announce it.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEAF CON

It's been nearly another month that has now passed.

No word back. I'm pinging the DEFCON brass again. They must be really swampped with the first round of CFPs being handled.

[Knollgrass]

Re: DEAF CON

Just as an update: There is currently an active discussion going on within DEF CON Headquarters and Senior staff. It's not being ignored.
When we decide what we will do, we will announce it. Thanks again for bringing it up and looking out for the greater good of our community

We appreciate the update!!!

[arose4beni]

Re: DEAF CON

Just as an update: There is currently an active discussion going on within DEF CON Headquarters and Senior staff. It's not being ignored.
When we decide what we will do, we will announce it. Thanks again for bringing it up and looking out for the greater good of our community

Thank you for the update Nikita!

[Nikita]

Re: DEAF CON

Just as an update: There is currently an active discussion going on within DEF CON Headquarters and Senior staff. It's not being ignored.
When we decide what we will do, we will announce it. Thanks again for bringing it up and looking out for the greater good of our community

[arose4beni]

Re: DEAF CON

well, fingerspelling is a little bit predictable, i think. now, if we were doing zeros and ones in fingerspelling, heh... that'd be kinda cooler. :-)

You mean like this?

I do like the Hadouken reference and agree if someone with artistic talent wishes to make us something more than just hands, by all means please do. I like to think I have artistic/designer talent, but alas I do not.

[astcell]

Re: DEAF CON

I just watched new sign for hacker and while watching it thought, "This is youtube, therefore he is NOT going to make goatse hands..."

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: DEAF CON

btw, i have heard back from someone on DEFCON staff and they are pursuing the matter to see when we might get a response about the proposal.