Comcast RSS Feed - Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 12:55 PM
Comcast Launches Customer Service Program For the Deaf Community in American
Sign Language
“The Internet is an incredible resource so long as you have the skills and the
tools to use it,” said David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast Corporation. “By partnering with Connect
Direct and working with the deaf community, we want to address and break down
the barriers to broadband adoption that are unique to this population. That
starts by being able to speak with customers in their native language.”
“We are especially happy to partner with Comcast on this initiative, which
represents a significant leap forward in broadening the reach of services
available in ASL and creating more avenues for fuller participation of deaf
people in society,” said Christopher Soukup, Chief Executive Officer of CSD.
“Comcast’s commitment to launching an ASL customer service center underlines a
shift in attitude by major corporations in recognizing the value of deaf people
and the benefit and ease in delivering exceptional customer service through
their customers’ language of choice.”
In line with Comcast’s commitment to make products, services, and experiences
accessible to the widest possible audience including people with disabilities,
Comcast also announced today that it created an
internetessentials.com/accessibility landing page, with direct links to the new
ASL Now chat function, the ability to order collateral materials in Braille and
large print, and an accessibility-specific FAQ. Additionally, the Learning
Center on the Internet Essentials website now includes nearly 50 Internet
safety and digital literacy videos with closed captions for the deaf. Topics
include: online safety and security, basic uses of the Internet, and how to get
various things done online. The website is also operable with assistive
technologies, such as screen reader software, for the blind or visually
impaired. Earlier this year, Comcast announced a partnership with the American
Association of People with Disabilities and, working together, the two
organizations will continue to add even more digital literacy training content
to the Learning Portal that will be specifically designed for people with
disabilities.
Comcast’s commitment to launching an ASL customer service center underlines a
shift in attitude by major corporations in recognizing the value of deaf people
and the benefit and ease in delivering exceptional customer service through
their customers’ language of choice.
Christopher Soukup
Chief Executive Officer, CSD
At PSD, Comcast also surprised 90 students by giving them free tablets and six
months of complimentary Internet service at home through the Internet
Essentials program. Additionally, in partnership with Dell Technologies, the
Company announced it will donate new computer equipment to PSD for students to
learn vital digital skills.
At a second event at the Nationalities Services Center (NSC), Comcast announced
the grand opening of NSC’s new computer lab. Funded in part by a Comcast
Foundation grant, the lab will become part of the City of Philadelphia’s
KEYSPOT network of public, private, and nonprofit organizations that provide
technology, training, and other opportunities through community-based public
access centers computing labs. Additionally, a second accelerator grant was
announced to fund increased instructor hours and provide for a wider range of
classes, including basic word processing and office productivity. At that
event, Comcast surprised 75 clients of NSC’s employment programs with free
laptop computers and six months of complimentary Internet service at home.
“We in local government have a critical role to play in increasing
opportunities and improving equitable outcomes for all Philadelphians,” said
Mayor Jim Kenney. “Promoting digital inclusion and literacy, along with job
readiness to support immigrants and refugees who are building their careers and
foundations in our city, is key to realizing the goals outlined in our
workforce development and inclusive growth strategies. I applaud Comcast
Foundation and Nationalities Service Center for adding this new computer lab to
our citywide KEYSPOT network.”
https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/comcast-customer-service-deaf-community-american-sign-language
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
