WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:03 — 41.3MB)
Subscribe: RSS
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 19th, 2023.
Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council held their last meeting of the year last week. More coverage on that meeting during today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and the WFHB Local News.
But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council
On December 13, the Bloomington City Council held its weekly meeting. The agenda included a second reading of an amendment to the city’s Municipal Code that would require Closed Captioning for deaf patrons in Places of Public Accommodation, or places offering goods, facilities, and services such as businesses and restaurants. City Clerk Nichole Bolden read the amendment.
Councilmember Steve Volan then offered a summary of the legislation.
Volan went on to describe the challenges that such legislation would solve for individuals with disabilities.
Holly Elkins, a representative for the Indiana Association of the Deaf, then delivered a presentation before the council on the importance of the ordinance from the deaf community’s perspective.
Elkins then expanded upon the impact of the ordinance on the whole disability community and provided evidence demonstrating the rising need for closed captioning.
Elkins pointed out that while Social media has become much more accessible, public media and accommodations continue to lag behind then reiterated who was impacted by this.
Elkins concluded by affirming her support for the ordinance.
Before opening up for questions councilmember Volan offered comments on Elkins statement.
Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked Councilmember Volan about how enforcement of the ordinance would be conducted in city businesses. Councilmember Volan and Michael Shermis of the Council For Community Accessibility responded.
Shermis then continued by explaining how the enforcement process works when disability discrimination presents itself.
Councilmember Dave Rollo then asked Shermis about whether or not financial penalties would be used to ensure businesses comply
Councilmember Volan then followed up on Shermis comments.
Councilmember Rollo lauded Shermis for his efforts and argued that much work was still needed for full accessibility to be achieved, which was affirmed by Councilmember Volan
AARP staff member Dan Dosik then spoke on why he and his organization supported the ordinance.
The city council approved the ordinance unanimously. This was the last city council meeting of the year. The council will meet for an organizational meeting on January 10th of next year.
Lil Bub:
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and the WFHB Local News. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Abe Shapiro, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
