Plano adopts resolution for closed captioning on public televisions

How we got here

The resolution was introduced after Meryl Evans, a deaf Plano citizen, asked if all public-facing televisions could have closed captioning on.

“The biggest barrier for me as a deaf citizen is communication. I’m a good lip reader, but lip readers on average only catch one-third of what’s said,” Evans said at the meeting. “Having closed captions in public spaces improves communication and inclusion.”

Evans added that the lack of closed captions on public-facing televisions could be dangerous for deaf or hard of hearing people during inclement weather.

Quote of note

"This is a step in the right direction for our city,” said Dylan Rafaty, founder and president of the North Texas Disability Chamber. “It’s a little thing we can do to improve access and inclusion for all.”