Kudos to David Curlee for including the ASL terp in panel video

August 7, 2009 3:22 pm

Wordpress is a popular CMS usually reserved for blogging but can be adapted for many different purposes.  Every year, there are Wordpress camps in different cities where web developers can go and take part in workshops to learn more about this CMS.  Thanks to Grant Laird who was persist and pushed for ASL interpreters at the 2009 WordCamp Dallas event, the deaf attendees got equal accessiblity (despite Aaron Hall’s lame comment about removing the interpreters to save money).  The event host has ensured that the deaf web developers are on an equal footing, rather than be ignored and left behind.

The icing on the cake was the video clips present by David Curlee, who apparently took the exta step of embedding the ASL interpreter onto the video of the panel discussion!  Thanks David Curlee for being smart enough to make the most of the presence of the interpreters and making the panel discussion accessible to everyone who comes across the video.  They have set a great example for other similar events.

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  • Thanks Jared for replying. I see what you mean. I think it was a neutral statement he made. He didn't say ASL interpreters were unnecessary, just what cost-cutting was necessary to break even. While I can see how this could be mis-interpreted, I don't think Aaron had bad intentions. I think the commenters assumed the worst of him, as is human nature. I don't know Aaron Hall at all, and am *not* defending him. I'm just seeing a trend where people are jumping to conclusions, without asking for clarification of his intentions.

    Bottom line, you can be sure future WordCamps will have interpreters. :) If there's one in L.A., I'll certainly try to attend.
  • Joe
    Aaron may have different intention although it maybe was not mean to insult. But, it is a good practice to be careful what you said. We know that people may interpret this matter differently. He could have said shirts and food to make it better for debate. He includes interpreter which automatic include a human factor. Going aganist other human being can easily open a can of worm which it just happen over there on John Pozadzides's blog.

    I appreciate your devil's advocate's perspective and open-minded approach. But, let's find out and do our duty to educate them about our own community thus in future we may appreciate the rich experience of WordCamp.
  • Aaron Hall: "If you cut out the T-shirts and interpreters, you would break even." This comment shows that he thinks the interpreters weren't necessary at the event. This was a sign that he believes that the request for interpreters wasn't important and should have been declined.
  • I didn't see where Aaron blasted the cost of ASL intepreters at WordCamp Dallas. All he did was list the "significant costs" and nothing more. That is, the only time he mentions ASL interpreters is in the list of costs. I think the commenters pulled it out of perspective. I may have missed it, and if so, please point it out for me. Thanks.

    Anyway, on a bright note, I also send my kudos to David Curlee, which is the reason for this post.
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