Deaf Advocates Sues U of M Over Stadium Design

VIDEO: National Association of the Deaf sues University of Maryland for failing to provide closed captioning at sports games.



WASHINGTON - Aberdeen Patch: A lawsuit filed in September by the National Association of the Deaf against the University of Maryland for its lack of amenities for Deaf fans at sporting events is just one of many such efforts to ensure hearing-impaired sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at stadiums.



Association CEO Howard A. Rosenblum said his organization has successfully sued other athletic organizations over the same issue, including the Washington Redskins, Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.



The association successfully sued the Washington Redskins in 2011. According to lawsuit documents, the Redskins were required to “provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing fans equal access to the aural information broadcast over the stadium bowl public address system at FedEx Field.”

The University of Maryland lawsuit details complaints brought to the association by Sean Markel and Joseph Innes, two Deaf sports patrons who regularly attend Terrapin sporting events at Comcast Center and Byrd Stadium. Markel and Innes filed another complaint against the university on Oct. 16.



“This is an action to enforce the rights of individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and to ensure full and equal access to the defendant University of Maryland, College Park’s football and basketball games and other programs, services and activities taking place at defendants’ venues and on the University of Maryland athletic department website,” reads the official complaint filed by the association on behalf of Markel and Innes.



Maryland Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications Brian Ullman released a statement in response to the first complaint saying the university is committed to making sure Terrapin fans with disabilities can enjoy the school’s sporting events. He said the team already offers closed captioning through a special website that can be displayed on smart phones and tablets. ... Read more: http://aberdeen.patch.com/groups/sports/p/deaf-advocates-suing-university-of-maryland-have-had-success-with-other-institutions_56a6b094