(PJ related) CBS: Video Relay Interpreters Companies Busted

Sorry, blondie... but I thought about it some more...

The "helper" aka interpreters... for those who worked many hours on translating the songs...and working hard during the show.

It's not an easy job....so I think it's a nice acknowledgment, you know? Natalie told me it had never happened to her before at other concerts and she said it made her feel so good that Ed gave her a nod of acknowledgment. It really made her feel good about herself.

It's nice to be appreciated for all the hard work you've put into something and hoping it did something good, you know?

I do see what you mean, though, Blondie.

Not those people who are doing it so they can have the "look at me!" or only doing it for the purpose of getting attention, hoping to get something more out of it. :roll:

Big difference.

No, not necessarily.... those particular interpreters from Texas, yes.

They were abusing their positions - using us as a vehicle of means in order to accomplish their goals. :P

They did not care about providing us access - their original attitude when I finally got to them at the stage at Lolla 07 on the first night was horrible. I explained the difficulty of seeing them and how I was having problems with the guy who wouldn't take me to them so that I could see them during the show.

They just shrugged me off with noses up in the air, saying "We are providing access to the whole crowd"

Then I said excuse me? You are involved in the Deaf Community, as I can tell from the way you are signing... you know better than that - we need close proximity in order to see you!

I've been trying to contact you for FOUR months! Then they realized who I was.... changed their faces right there.

But yet, they kept lying to me over and over... and one terp in particular was stalking EV the whole weekend.

So much shit went on that weekend.

I complained and told a whole bunch of people... including 10c. More than once.

Then again before ACL....told them it was those same interpreters.

Then what do I see? :P

That's why I got fucking pissed off at EV. I got the impression that he or 10c didn't take me seriously about the problems I faced with those interpreters both in 07 and 08 at Lollapalooza.

It was a slap to my face... sending a message to the interpreting community that they could get away with it and get rewarded.

In 2007, I filed with Department of Justice and a separate complaint with the Texas agency that oversees and certificates interpreters.

Nothing. They got away with it.

blondieblue227 wrote:

So unprofessional! :evil:


The DOJ is flooded with cases all because people don't act right and/or don't follow the ADA.
it's all right there people in the ADA.....now do right!

*smirks* Yup.

DOJ sent me a letter saying they won't take the case...and recommended me to other agencies. :roll:

Funny, when I tried some of those agencies, they were no longer in service. so yeah, they are totally flooded.

I know some folks who are still waiting years...

That's why there are so many problems and some people know they can get away with it because of the flawed system. :(

Like you said, companies are finding loopholes in ADA and using them to their advantages.

Thanks, Mel.

You've been very supportive since the beginning, always lending me your ears and shoulders whenever i wanted to rant about those terps!

Thanks for that! ((hugs))

covered in bliss wrote:

I really hope you've written to management explaining the situation and your concerns. The band doesn't need to be involved. A serious interpreter shouldn't be that hard to find. Tons of people already tour with the band.... what's another one?

You're tempting me. :P

It's easier being mad at EV right now, wanting to kick his and those terps' asses and not trying that routine. Even though I know i'd get rejected.

It is just more complicated than that... it's not so simple...

And Blondie's paper is just pissing me off even more thinking about all those little details I forgot about at lolla - C3's asshole lawyer and my two lawyers. His attitude was patronizing and those 2 deaf lawyers were classy all the way. My veins were throbbing the whole time...and they were just being cool and classy. And they did all this work on donations, which isn't much...

I want to write a separate post giving those two lawyers a shout for all the hard work they did on the lolla case for 2008, but right now my daughter wants to hog my laptop (the other computer got fried :( ).

Thanks, covered in bliss.

I'll just stay mad for a while longer, ok?

Just to let you know... I emailed Bjorn Storm and asked for his feedback as an interpreter.

I also will be asking around, including the lawyer i worked with because he said I could contact him anytime and then give you the draft letter here to look at for feedback.