Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.

Big news!! This bill is a game-changer for Deaf communities!! 🎉

The CVTA is back, and this time we have support from Democrats and Republicans!

Here’s what the CVTA bill can do:

Improves captioning quality on streaming and new tech

Allows direct 9-1-1 calls in sign language

Makes sure new tech is accessible from the beginning

This is real progress... BUT, we’re not done yet! We need your support! How?

👉 Find your legislator and tell them to support the CVTA: csd.org/cvta

[Video Description: Lizzie initially stands far from the camera and starts walking toward the camera with big energy. On-screen text appears for the first 3 seconds: 🚨 BIG NEWS for the Deaf Community!

LIZZIE: I have some news, really big news – an update about the CVTA. Democrats AND Republicans support this bill! Finally, progress that we’ve all been waiting for. Congress just reintroduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) and this time – its bipartisan. This means BOTH Republicans and Democrats support this bill. In the past, the bill was proposed only to hit roadblocks and roadblocks.

If the CVTA passes – the bill is very long, but I’ll share the top three key points so you can get an idea:

1 - Improve captioning by making sure current rules apply to streaming and current technologies.

2 – Ability to call 9-1-1 directly in sign language.

3 - And to make sure new technologies are built with accessibility from the start.

Tech access shouldn't be a luxury! All people should have access. It's our right! We’re almost there! Contact your lawmakers in your state and tell them you support the CVTA.]

Big accessibility news is coming to your video meetings! 🚨

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released new rules for video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Team, and more! These accessibility rules are still rolling out until January 2027.

What other accessible features would you love to see more on video conferencing platforms?

[Video Description and Transcript: Guthrie stands indoors in front of a wall with four framed pictures arranged in a 2-by-2 grid with a large flat-screen TV on a stand and a tall potted indoor plant with large green leaves on the left. In the video, when Guthrie explains the FCC’s three new rules, an overlay image and video of the Zoom conference meeting appear above Guthrie. The video begins with on-screen text, “Huge Accessibility News!” with icons of video conferencing.

GUTHRIE: Huge news! Video conferencing platforms (like Zoom, Google Meet, and more!) are required to update their platforms to be more accessible by January 2027! The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just released new rules.

Sign language access.
Platforms are required to let sign language interpreters join calls directly and easily. No separate apps. No workarounds.

Captions.
The platforms are required to show every word exactly as it’s said. And they must appear right when people speak, no lag.

User control.
The platforms are required to let you, the user, resize screens, move windows, and highlight interpreters. You decide what’s best for you.

All these changes are rolling out from now until January 12, 2027. Accessibility isn’t optional anymore but a requirement!

Curious – what other accessible features would you love to see more on video conferencing platforms?

Video ends with the CSD logo and fades to black.]

Accessibility starts with listening and taking action.

In 1975, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) was founded in response to community demand. Since then, we’ve worked alongside the community to build what’s needed: housing, programs, services, and real opportunities for us to thrive. How do we measure this? Not by numbers alone, but by lives changed.

Today, we’re still listening. We’re still building.

💬 What does accessibility look like in your world?

[Video Description and Transcript: The video begins with montage clips of various interviews and B-roll footage.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: How do you make the world more accessible?

Black and white photo of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) founder, Ben Soukup, at his desk inside CSD's first office, which was in the closet.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: You step up...

BEN: We established CSD because of the community.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: ...and create new services.

BEN: People asked CSD to build apartments for Deaf people to live in.

Photos of senior apartments that CSD built.

BEN: People asked us to provide programs for Deaf seniors.

Photos of different Deaf seniors events that CSD organized.

BEN: We developed and set them all up. They all came from the community.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: In a society that often overlooks us...

ALLYSA (VP of DeafHealth): The system was not built for us.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: ...we navigate anyway.

TJAY (Board Member): The fact is, we're outnumbered by folks who do not understand Deaf community members, Deaf people with disabilities, and other communities...

ON-SCREEN TEXT: When the stakes are real...

SASHA (Executive Director of Deaf Organizations Fund): There's a fear of losing tax exempt status, funding, our rights, and so on. I think we play a pivotal role in lifting--

TOPHER (VP of Information Technology): -- lifting the deaf communities.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: ...how do you measure impact? Through lives changed, not numbers.

MARK (Senior Finance Partner): Yes! I show up to work every day because I see the impact CSD makes for our communities.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Community.

Montage of b-roll videos begins:
CHRISTINA (VP of Program Impact): ...strong community there... yes...

CHRIS (CEO of CSD): ...community...

LIZ (CAO of CSD): ...past, present, and future...

ROBERT (VP of Contracts and Compliance): ...some of the most brilliant Deaf...

RENCA (CSD Access Marketing Manager): ...community...

THEO (CEO of Mozzeria): ,..gets a job, interview process,,,

ERYC (VP of People & Culture): My role is to help CSD empower our people so in turn, they can empower our communities that we serve.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Connection to services.

LIANN (Director of CSD Works): For me, building a connection with the community is very important to me. We lift people through authentic connections.

Another montage of b-roll videos of past CSD events.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Since 1975, we've worked to empower Deaf and hearing people so that they succeed together. Because communication connects you.

Video ends with the CSD logo and fades to black.]

Do you remember CSD in the 90s?

April is Deaf History Month, and we're feeling a little 90s nostalgia.

[Video Description and Transcript: A montage video includes various images and one footage. Video begins with a community smiling and handwaving at the Gala with an on-screen text, “Hey CSD, what were you like in the 90s?” Followed by a montage of images and video.

An image of a roadside sign reads "Communication Service for the Deaf" with listings for CSD office, USA Relay Center, Olde Grinde Apartments, and a Division of South Dakota Association of the Deaf.

An group photo of six adults indoors, gathered closely around a table, with several of them wearing green hats and smiling.

A video clip of a man standing against a plain white background, holding a white TTY, he signed, “This old technology?” And threw the TTY to the side out of the frame.

A group portrait of about 14 people posing in a studio against a white background, with many of them handswaving.

A black-and-white photo of a woman watching a television showing a person with a closed caption on, “Welcome to Communication Service for the Deaf”

The group photo shows about 13 adult men posing inside an unfinished wooden building.

A photo of pickup truck is towing a small trailer. A large dark banner on the side of the truck has white text that reads: COMMUNICATION SERVICE FOR THE DEAF. DEAF AWARENESS WEEK. MARCH 10-16. Two people are standing behind the truck bed.

A photo of a presentation in a classroom. Two adults stand at the front of the projection screen behind them.

A photo of seven adults standing close together along a wall, facing toward the right side of the room front of a large off-white CRT computer monitor on a desk.

A photo of a building entrance with white columns and a triangular pediment. The pediment has two logos and two blocks of text, one on the left and one on the right.

A photo of a building entrance with white columns and a triangular pediment. The pediment has two logos and two blocks of text, “Communication Service for the Deaf” on the left and “Minnesota Relay Service” on the right.

A photo of two adults in a small office. On the left, a l woman is looking at the man on the right who is talking to her. In the background is a TV on a stand displaying a video call with a woman wearing a headset against a teal background.

A black-and-white photo of a ribbon-cutting ceremony outdoors with a group of adults standing close together with a large banner that fadedly show the CSD logo.]