Deaf Anthology # 581: "PAV"

"...proposed to the Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) that they install videophone kiosks (PAV) throughout the terminal for us Deaf travelers as part of your modernization project. We must have assurances that our airports become accessible to us Deaf removing all communication barriers. Often we have visual alerts in English, but I will like to see a similar effort having it done in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Gestuno (International Sign language) on LED screens that accompany visual alerts in subtitles. Airport employees are to be encouraged to be trained in basic ASL, with tuition reimbursement available and on the clock. also there should be at least one representative from the Deaf community to serve on the airport's accessibility committee to assure that we are in compliance with ADA..."

Update: A notice was published in the last Friday Birmingham news advising us of the Terminal Modernization Project open to the public at the Birmingham Airport Holiday Inn. However, the notice haven't given us reasonable time to book an interpreter. Terrorism was a major concern and it was discussed instead because of a recent incident. The reporter from local Fox News was able to communicate with me using ASL she learned awhile ago at college. Another note, is that the Birmingham tourism promotion on the screen in the lobby aren't closed-captioned, Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau needs to be reminded of their responsibilities, ignorance is not an excuse.

Note: There are 11 PAV installed at Chicago O'Hare airport, under contract with CSD, at the estimated costs of $8,000 per kiosks.

Trivia: The photo above is not our airport, it is in Birmingham, England. Were you caught off-guard?

This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America!