Comcast will provide ASL interpreting services at several Xfinity locations in the Bay Area and Donates $60,000 to community partners to further digital inclusion and equity in the region.
As part of its ongoing commitment to digital inclusion and accessibility, Comcast announced the availability of live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services at eight Xfinity Store Locations in the Greater Bay Area. Customers who need ASL support can stop into any of the select Bay Area Xfinity Stores, where representatives will utilize ASL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) to access a live interpreter provided by partner, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD).
Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast Vice President for Accessibility, provided a demonstration at a Xfinity Store in San Jose, where deaf customers were able to interact with a live interpreter to ask about billing questions, add services, pull up their Xfinity account information and much more. Comcast is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers.
In addition to announcing the ASL services, Comcast donated $60,000 in digital equity grants to community partners—$20,000 to San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired received, $20,000 to the California School for the Deaf, and $20,000 to the World Institute on Disability. These grants build upon previous partnerships to help broaden the scope of digital inclusion and accessibility trainings to students, families, seniors, and community members.
The ASL announcement also featured a roundtable conversation on accessibility issues at the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, along with a panel conversation including members of the California School for the Deaf and the World Institute on Disability at the San Jose Brokaw store, following the ASL demo presentation.
The American Community Survey (ACS) estimates that 3.6% of the U.S. population is “deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.” Additionally, according to Pew Research Center, 23% of people with disabilities say they never go online, with 57% saying they do not have a home broadband connection. That’s why, through its Project UP initiative, Comcast is working to address and eliminate the unique barriers to connectivity through a series of efforts, including Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and skill development and training.
“This innovative service model from Comcast will help our deaf customers better interact and engage with our Xfinity retail store associates and provide them with a much better in-store experience. I’m proud to work at a company that understands the importance of investing in our communities in a variety of different ways and one that is delivering on its mission to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.”
Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast Vice President for Accessibility
“As part of California School for the Deaf’s mission, we are deeply committed to providing a language rich environment that maximizes communication access in order for our students to lead fulfilling lives,” said Amy Novotny, Superintendent, California School for the Deaf. “Access to technology and connectivity builds confidence and independence, and that’s why we are excited to partner with Comcast on opportunities to close the digital divide for members of our Deaf and hard of hearing community.”
“Assistive technologies are opening doors to greater independence for folks with a range of disabilities,” said Sharon Giovinazzo Chief Executive Officer of the San Fransisco LightHouse of the Blind and Visually Impaired. “These innovations truly can level the playing field. Comcast has been a valued partner in delivering technologies and supporting our efforts to promote independence, community, and equity for blind and low vision people.”
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are the guiding stars of what we do here at the World Institute on Disability, and it is gratifying to see partners, such as Comcast, who also believe that equity and accessibility go hand-in-hand,” said Marcie Roth, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, World Institute on Disability. “Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and we must continue to work together to invest in solutions, which will help support people with disabilities having equal and greater access to products and services in today’s world as well as laying the foundation for greater accessibility for future generations.”
The eight Xfinity stores that will offer service in American Sign Language include:
- San Jose: 1068 E. Brokaw Rd. # 50, San Jose, CA 95131
- Sunnyvale: 301 W. McKinley Ave. Suite 140, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
- San Jose: 1566 Monterey Hwy #20, San Jose, CA 95110
- San Jose: 1600 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129
- Palo Alto: 2825 El Camino Real #100, Palo Alto, CA 94306
- Fremont: 43325 Christy St., Fremont, CA 94538
- Oakland: 3070 E. 9th St., Oakland, CA 94601
- Dublin: 4104 Grafton St., Dublin, CA 94568
