If companies would simply do this sort of thing as a normal cost
of business just because it is the right thing to do, we wouldn't need the
ADA or any other legislation to protect the needs and access of a minority from
the indifference of many in the majority. But when those needs are ignored or
rejected, then the minority has to fight for whatever means are necessary to
create the access they need.
My bold. My question is: "Access
to what?"
Seriously. Netflix is in one category as it is big, large-volume,
and charges for its content and presumably could raise the rental rates of its
more popular films to cover the cost of subtitles -- if it had permission of
copyright holders to create them. What of those titles for which it lacks such
permission? What of those titles that, even if it had permission, demand is so
low that raising rental rates sufficient to cover subtitles would kill demand
altogether? What of a small-volume start up that might wish to compete with
Netflix whose marginal cost of subtitling would perforce be greater? Must one
"destroy the village in order to save it"?
Alternatively, one might reduce
Netflix (and whatever online competition) to distributing only those films for
which the original producer has already supplied subtitles. There must be lots
of those, particularly in the foreign categories. Would these suffice to allow
Netflix remain competitive against a resurgent Blockbuster or other neighborhood
DVD rental outlets? Does one insist the same rules apply to them as well? Is
there any net improved access for the Deaf either way?
And what of "free"
content as posted on YouTube? If the technology to create subtitles were itself
free, that would be one thing. But until then, what is Google to do -- foot the
entire bill to subtitle every one of the gazillion home videos posted itself?
What of concert footage? Music instruction video that contain substantial verbal
elements? Only allow posting of video that is already subtitled? What meaning
has that?
Its not that I'm unsympathetic. I have developed a rather
unsettling tinnitus myself, and cannot predict the future anyway. But lets
please be careful what we wish for.
Thanks.
Ed L (not logged in)
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