kjcole@well.sf.ca.us (Kevin Cole) (04/10/91)
Index Number: 14644 from: apple!gallua.BITNET!11ASHETTLE "Andrea Shettle" subj: Help get CNN to caption 18hrs/dy Date Sent: 2-APR-1991 11:59 There is a chance that CNN may increase closed-captioned accessibility from current levels of one hour a day to 18 hours a day. But it won't happen without your help. A woman in Atlanta, GA, Judy Brentano of the Caption Company is creating a package to present to CNN. This package will contain a number of things to persuade CNN to increase closed-captions, but most important of all is for CNN to see many, many letters from people like yourself who want to see more closed-captions on CNN. Time is very, very tight. Even a couple of weeks from now may be late. Write your letter now. Q. But what do I say? A. Thank CNN for captioning one hour a day of programming. Tell them you would like to see more captioned programming--and why. (e.g. CNN is a very important source of news, and captioning it opens more options to you, etc.etc.) Q. But I have lousy English A. CNN is not worried about your English skill. All they care about is how much interest you have in seeing that CNN captions more of their programming. They will pay more attention to the numbers of letters they receive than they will to a few grammar and spelling errors in one letter of the pile. Q. I don't have time to write a long letter. A. So write a short one on a piece of scrap paper with the nearest writing tool you can find. It doesn't have to be fancy, just written. One short sentence ("Dear Mr. Reinhardt, I hope CNN puts more captions on because CNN is an important source of news and I want to watch it the way hearing people can, Sincerely Jane Doe") will be just fine. Q. How do I address the letter? A. Address it to: Burt Reinhardt CNN One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303. But do NOT, NOT, NOT send letters direct to Burt Reinhardt. You may send to either of the following: Judy Brentano or Ms. Andrea Shettle The Caption Company Box #1480 1700 Water Place Gallaudet University Atlanta, GA 30339 800 Florida Ave N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-3625 I'll be trying to send letter packages to Judy Brentano everyday (assuming you guys give me enough letters!) Q. Is this just for Gallaudet students to worry about? A. NO! In fact, it is very important that as many people get involved as possible. Try calling friends and realtives across the country TONIGHT and asking them to write letters too. Q. Wouldn't it be easier to just collect signatures on a petition? A. Yes, it would be easier--but considerably less effective. One hastily written letter with lousy grammar, spelling and handwriting has far more power than a hundred signatures on a petition. The Caption Action petition drive rose over 55,000 signatures, but Paramount Home Video still asked us to raise a mere 500 letters before they agreed, after 25 years, to put closed-captions on the original Star Trek series on videotape (look for them later this year). Remember, time is tight. Do this soon, and tell your friends too. Again: letters do not have to be fancy. Neat, formal, business-like typed, long fancy letters may look impressive--but corporations pay just as much attention to a sincerely felt letter written with purple crayon on white toilet paper, even if it's from a six year old kid who writes the letter "s" backwards. You hold the future in your hands! Write today!