ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a slow-paced, high contrast format, watch the DeafBlind friendly ASL version instead.

English version

[Jamie is speaking in English with her right hand on a Braille display (mostly off screen). James Paul is interpreting in American Sign Language (ASL) next to her.]

Hi! [Signs 'hello' while primarily voicing.] I’m Jamie Taylor. I am DeafBlind. I use ProTactile American Sign Language and spoken English. When I go to conferences and events, I depend on presenters to make their PowerPoints accessible.

According to the National Deaf Center, 40% of deaf people have additional disabilities.

I prefer large print on my computer or braille on my note taker. Accessible PowerPoints are important to me because they can easily be converted to braille. This allows me to relax because I can then look at the PowerPoint at my own speed and I do not have to memorize lectures because I can access it at home.

Accessible PowerPoints have alt text for pictures and labels for pie charts. All slides have a unique title so I know where I am.

Colors can be inaccessible to DeafBlind people. My computer is able to change these PowerPoints to colors that are accessible to me. I can read in whatever colors I want, such as white font on a black background. This saves me from many headaches [signs 'headaches' and grimaces].

Because there are so many people who need accessible PowerPoints, making your PowerPoints accessible is not about convenience [signs 'convenience'], it’s about equality [signs 'equality']. Thank you [signs 'thank you'].

Credits

The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing thanks:

Jamie Taylor for her important message to presenters.

James Paul Beldon III, ASL talent

Keystone Interpreting Solutions for film production.