The Advantages of Subtitles on Vlogs

About my vloggings and subtitles (see here and here), my message was not about forcing anyone to add subtitles. I cannot force ASL vloggers to add subtitle any more than I can force  Jimmy Carter to give up peanut farming. What I have clearly suggested in my vlogs is that adding subtitles is an opportunity to reach more people. It is simple as that. Yes, it does take time to add subtitles but if you have ideas, concerns, questions, beliefs or whatever and you want to talk about and share them, what better way to spread that message of thought to more people rather than just to a limited number of ASL using people?

It's not about because "95% of the hearing people who vlog do not add subtitles" that justifies ASL using vloggers to not add subtitles just to "get back at them." That's a rather wrong approach on addressing communication access issues. It's about going above them and be an example of what subtitles are all about. It's really about making an example of those hearing vloggers who refuse to add subtitles. Just as Seek Geo prefers to sign, he takes the time to add subtitles. The same goes for me, I prefer to speak but I take the time to add subtitles. It's not about me not understanding ASL, I understand those ASL vlogs fine with or without subtitles. It's not about me...it's about THEM! The people out there who may (or may not) want to watch your video and see what YOU have to say. The power of words can be seen in subtitles. Adding subtitles gives you a bigger audience and potentially a bigger audience to side with you on issues like, perhaps, the AG Bell thing. Think more broadly about the potential on what subtitles can do for you and how you want to get your message out. Will it be a limited message, or a message that crosses more boundaries and reach more people?

If anything, you should consider adding subtitles as a tactical move on your part as your overall strategy to garner more and more support for your cause. Because of me, more people are starting to take the time to add subtitles to get their message across. Even Seek Geo, a Deaf ASL vlogger, is having an effect, too. Somebody had to do this first and that's why I take the time to add subtitles to my vlogs to reach out more people that way. It's working and I am smiling.

And lastly, I don't have eyes in the back of my head to read ALL the vlogs and blogs out there, deaf and hearing, including the umpteen number of websites I regular go to. Just because somebody posted a vlog does not means that I will get to see it and respond to it. My time is limited and I get on the internet when I can and catch up on things. I have things I do outside of the internet involving my family, kids, exercing and piano playing. So, don't get mad or upset just because I haven't responded. It could simply mean that I haven't seen your vlog or blog. If you are seeking a response from me then it would be best to get in contact with me via email and let me know. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

UPDATE: A Deaf-Blind reader/watcher responded on Kokonut Pundit about subtitles on vlogs and makes a very good point.

As a Deaf-Blind person, I truly appreciate subtitling in vlogs because I am legally blind now. It does help a lot to be still involved in the v/blogosphere with the subtitles. If there wasn't any, I wouldn't complain because I visit a lot of blogs.

And I can't help but wonder some of the leaders in the ASL vlogging, especially those already technically-savvy, refuse to add subtitles not realizing that there are Deaf-Blind people out there who could use the extra help on seeing both signing and subtitling at the same time. Is this a case of some Deaf vloggers oppressing Deaf-Blind by refusing to add subtitles? What an interesting perspectiving coming from one Deaf-Blind reader/watcher who really appreciates any subtitles to a vlog.

There are blurring of motions, including any signing; and the lack of video definition which is not the same as watching a high definition TV sometimes make it hard to follow any signing! I would suspect it'd be harder to follow for some Deaf-Blind readers/watchers of vlogs? But these video definition and speed are certainly improving over time as technology continues to improve for our benefits.

UPDATE II: Patty, "TheExpatriate," who is Deaf-Blind, (as well as many other Deaf-Blind people who are sometimes considered to be at the bottom of the Deaf-totem pole when it comes communication access) Ihave a question, how do you feel about Carl's decision not to add captions/subtitles in future vlogs? And I am now wondering how many Deaf vloggers actually share Carl's decision? It certainly does not sound like a good solution to do that. Just my take.

Below is what Patty feels about the Deaf community who do not think about people like Patty's on their need for communication access when it comes to vlogging.

Please keep in mind, the Deaf-Blind community is really at the bottom of the totem pole, struggling to be seen, heard and recognized. It does not really help that our peers, the Deaf community, responds in this manner whether they realise it or not.

Indeed. Quite ironic given how some Deaf vloggers refusal to put in subtitles when they have the ability and the means to do so. Please visit Patty's blogsite. I'm sure she'll have something to share for all to read whether it's deaf related or not.

FYI, I once had a deaf-blind roommate in Dorm-5 (Carlin Hall) I was at Gallaudet University that was shared with a smart roomie who had cerebral-palsy. Just learning about his world as a Deaf-Blind person opened a lot of different perspectives about life and struggling with that kind of a disability. It's not easy.