Can you hear me now?

[CaliforniaCheez]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3622808

The Washington Redskins were ordered to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing fans with "equal access to aural content" in the team's stadium, such as music lyrics, ads and other broadcasts on the public-address system.

This week's court ruling is the first of its kind under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will likely affect other sports venues, said Joseph Espo, a lawyer for three Redskins fans who filed the lawsuit in 2006.

Williams ruled the stadium must go further to accommodate the deaf, writing that the Americans With Disabilities Act requires that the team provide "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations available at FedEx Field.

The judge did not specify how FedEx Field should comply with the law. But the ruling noted that the plaintiffs in this case would not be helped by assisted listening devices, which patrons have long been provided at FedEx Field upon request.



Why can't people be blissfully undisturbed by advertizing and the loud mouthed drunkard 5 rows up?

[dabootski]

ridiculous.

but not surprising.

[Tony Oday]

This is a fricken joke I mean really? It would not be equal..I cant see without my contacts so since I am impaired I think I should be able to watch the game from the sideline!

This judge should be drug out in the street and shot.

[bobblehead]

just anoher case of gov't mandating something ridiculous. While we are at it I think they should mandate 50% efficient solar panels that cost $1 each.

[ThunderDan]

This is a fricken joke I mean really? It would not be equal..I cant see without my contacts so since I am impaired I think I should be able to watch the game from the sideline!

This judge should be drug out in the street and shot.

Glad to know we have such caring members here.

Most vision problems can be easily correct with glasses. A lot of hearing issues can be resolved with hearing aids. Total deafness or blindness can not be resolved. Things can be done to make their life better. Like CC on TVs or voice over on TVs.

I guess we shouldn't let deaf and blind people have the same enjoyment as others. Let's stick them in their own special places away from the rest of us. That's what use to happen to deaf and blind people. Some of the greatest musicians of our time have been blind. Luckily, we didn't put them away.

Once we don't let them enjoy the stadium what else are we going to take away?

[sharpe1027]

I guess we shouldn't let deaf and blind people have the same enjoyment as others. Let's stick them in their own special places away from the rest of us. That's what use to happen to deaf and blind people. Some of the greatest musicians of our time have been blind. Luckily, we didn't put them away.

Once we don't let them enjoy the stadium what else are we going to take away?

You make it sound like the Redskins were actively preventing them from enjoying the stadium.

[ThunderDan]

I guess we shouldn't let deaf and blind people have the same enjoyment as others. Let's stick them in their own special places away from the rest of us. That's what use to happen to deaf and blind people. Some of the greatest musicians of our time have been blind. Luckily, we didn't put them away.

Once we don't let them enjoy the stadium what else are we going to take away?

You make it sound like the Redskins were actively preventing them from enjoying the stadium.

Have you ever taken a blind friend to a movie? If we were quiet like the movie theater asks my friend wouldn't have any clue what was going on!!

I'm sure putting CC on the Jumbotron wouldn't break the Redskins bank.

[Tony Oday]

You damn right I am heartless. This is activist judging at its best. Should we make it so that there is not alcohol offered in sections with alcoholics? Should we make it that fat people shouldn't have fatty foods in their section?

If they can get into the stadium and can get to the seat they know what the hell they are getting. I dont go into a bar in Wisconsin and expect people to stop smoking. I don't go into a football bar and ask them to turn on Sex in the City.

I know these are absurd comparisons however this is what will happen if people do not take a stand.

Why cant a hearing impaired person bring headphones and a walkman? Why is it mandated that the Redskins provide it for them? It a fricken joke!

[MadScientist]

Why cant a hearing impaired person bring headphones and a walkman? Why is it mandated that the Redskins provide it for them? It a fricken joke!

Perhaps because he can't hear so a walkman is kind of useless?
The ruling was overkill, as it sounds like the Redskins had responded to the suit by doing the important things - play and emergency info being displayed (which I would say useful to more than just the deaf). The ADA doesn't allow for reasonable accommodation.

[cheesner]

I guess we shouldn't let deaf and blind people have the same enjoyment as others. Let's stick them in their own special places away from the rest of us. That's what use to happen to deaf and blind people. Some of the greatest musicians of our time have been blind. Luckily, we didn't put them away.

Once we don't let them enjoy the stadium what else are we going to take away?

You make it sound like the Redskins were actively preventing them from enjoying the stadium.

Have you ever taken a blind friend to a movie? If we were quiet like the movie theater asks my friend wouldn't have any clue what was going on!!

I'm sure putting CC on the Jumbotron wouldn't break the Redskins bank.

Of course not.

Why bother all the other people? Or are you just that special that you can be inconsiderate to everyone else?

Personally, I just wait till the movie comes out on DVD and then watch it in the comfort of our own home. My blind friend wouldn't have it any other way. She is an amazing gal, if you meet her at her house, you probably wouldn't even know she was blind. It is difficult to even call it a handicap.

[MJZiggy]

Funny, I know a blind man who has season tickets to the Redskins at FedEx field. They came up with a bizarre way of handling the problem. His wife does play-by-play for him while they're there. Tells him the formations, and keeps him tuned in to what's happening. She's not much of a fan, but she's well informed in the game because he loves it and she loves him.

I think they could easily solve this problem by providing a handheld device that has the captioning on it. Though how would you know the slant of the person who is reading so you know which team's information to provide. I mean, the basics are already on the jumbotron...

[retailguy]

Funny, I know a blind man who has season tickets to the Redskins at FedEx field. They came up with a bizarre way of handling the problem. His wife does play-by-play for him while they're there. Tells him the formations, and keeps him tuned in to what's happening. She's not much of a fan, but she's well informed in the game because he loves it and she loves him.

I think they could easily solve this problem by providing a handheld device that has the captioning on it. Though how would you know the slant of the person who is reading so you know which team's information to provide. I mean, the basics are already on the jumbotron...

Couldn't they provide 2 guys? One with the Skins slant and one with the opponents? I'll bet ppl would pay to rent those things, even if they weren't impaired!

[Tony Oday]

Sorry I meant a blind man...was a wee bit tired last night.

So a deaf guy could have brought a tv that has CC ont it.

[ThunderDan]

You damn right I am heartless. This is activist judging at its best. Should we make it so that there is not alcohol offered in sections with alcoholics? Should we make it that fat people shouldn't have fatty foods in their section?

If they can get into the stadium and can get to the seat they know what the hell they are getting. I dont go into a bar in Wisconsin and expect people to stop smoking. I don't go into a football bar and ask them to turn on Sex in the City.

I know these are absurd comparisons however this is what will happen if people do not take a stand.

Why cant a hearing impaired person bring headphones and a walkman? Why is it mandated that the Redskins provide it for them? It a fricken joke!

Actually Tony I now go out to bars in Madison exclusively because there is a smoking ban. I don't like having to wake up smelling like a cigarette.

Why is this activist judging at its best?

President Bush just signed a bill two weeks ago that increases the scope of the ADA. Seems like that is activist lawmaking by the congress signed by the President.

[Tony Oday]

You damn right I am heartless. This is activist judging at its best. Should we make it so that there is not alcohol offered in sections with alcoholics? Should we make it that fat people shouldn't have fatty foods in their section?

If they can get into the stadium and can get to the seat they know what the hell they are getting. I dont go into a bar in Wisconsin and expect people to stop smoking. I don't go into a football bar and ask them to turn on Sex in the City.

I know these are absurd comparisons however this is what will happen if people do not take a stand.

Why cant a hearing impaired person bring headphones and a walkman? Why is it mandated that the Redskins provide it for them? It a fricken joke!

Actually Tony I now go out to bars in Madison exclusively because there is a smoking ban. I don't like having to wake up smelling like a cigarette.

Why is this activist judging at its best?

President Bush just signed a bill two weeks ago that increases the scope of the ADA. Seems like that is activist lawmaking by the congress signed by the President.

What I mean on the smoking thing is that there are certain bars in the northland that you wouldn't expect them NOT to have smoke in them. I dont like smelling like an ash tray in the morning either however if I do not want to smell like smoke I dont go to the bar.