Response from The 700 Club About Captioned Programs

Lipreading Mom’s Note: I received a response from The 700 Club regarding my concerns about lack of captions with its Web site videos. Apparently, their representative concludes I am advocating for captions on their TV network, which they already have. I will write back the network to clarify that I am advocating for captions on their Web site videos, a big difference for hard of hearing people who can’t access their programs on TV, only by Internet.

Response from The 700 Club (12/27/11)

We appreciate the comments you shared with us about closed captioning of “The 700 Club.” This service is made available to all of our one-hour viewing audience.

Any problems that you may encounter could be technical problems with your local cable company. We suggest that you call and inform them of your concerns.

Thank you for contacting us, and for allowing us the opportunity to respond. God bless you.

-Rep from The 700 Club

My Original Email to The 700 Club

Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 6:01 PM
To: The700Club
Subject: Other – Captions of CBN.com Broadcasts for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

CBN.com Feedback – Other
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Subject: Captions of CBN.com Broadcasts for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Dear Christian Broadcasting Network and The 700 Club,

As a follower with hearing loss, I am writing to express my concern about the lack of captions with your YouTube video streaming of The 700 Club broadcasts. On several occasions, myself and friends with hearing loss have wanted to watch online broadcasts events on your Website, only to be unable to understand the information you present due to lack of captions.

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that 34 million U.S. adults have hearing loss, it would be in CBN.com’s and The 700 Club’s best interest to provide captioned streaming as a way to appeal to this large group of potential viewers. Imagine the level of support and PR your network and site would receive if you launched captioned Internet broadcasts to appeal to this large portion of the U.S. population.

I welcome your thoughts and will be following up with you on behalf of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.

Respectfully,
Lipreading Mom