Access in Action: A Town Hall on Open Captioning Legislation

All of our happenings provide an opportunity for our community to come together and share with each other resources that we've found helpful. When a community gathers, an amazing thing happens: its members build each other up and help the whole network to get stronger. Join us, be strengthened, and strengthen others!

Date: Wednesday, April 15
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Virtual – via Zoom
Registration Required: Register here.
Capacity: Limited to 90 participants
Cost: Free

ASL interpreters and CART will be provided. If you need other accommodations, please contact us at info@nvrc.org.

Join the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community for an important and timely virtual town hall focused on open captioning legislation and accessibility in Virginia. This event centers the lived experiences of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and DeafBlind individuals and highlights why open captions are essential for full access in public spaces such as movie theaters, live performances, and community events.

We are honored to welcome Delegate Phil Hernandez (Virginia House of Delegates, District 94), a key sponsor of open captioning legislation. Delegate Hernandez has a Deaf sister, knows American Sign Language (ASL), and brings both professional leadership and personal commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion. His lived experience informs his advocacy and passion for improving communication access through legislation.

Participants will hear directly from Delegate Hernandez, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about accessibility, equity, and policy.