SIGN CITY TELEVISION is a broadcast television programming service devoted to bringing quality television to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community throughout America. All of the Sign City TV Programming is presented in sign language and/or captions with full sound simultaneously. The programming can be equally enjoyed by hearing audiences as well.

FACTOID
	Sign language is the third most used language in the United States, after English and Spanish!

THE AUDIENCE

More than 28 million citizens in the U.S. have a significant hearing loss. According to the National Association of the Deaf, the total Deaf and Hard of Hearing community equals the combined populations of: ¨ Arizona ¨ Arkansas ¨ Colorado ¨ Delaware ¨ Hawaii ¨ Idaho ¨ Iowa ¨ ¨ Kansas ¨ Maine ¨ Mississippi ¨ Montana ¨ Nebraska ¨ Nevada ¨ ¨ New Hampshire ¨ New Mexico ¨ North Dakota ¨ South Dakota ¨ ¨ Rhode Island ¨ Utah ¨ West Virginia ¨ Wyoming ¨

THE NEED

The television industry, as a whole, has been less than successful in its effort to respond to the needs of Deaf or Hard of Hearing viewers, and the infrequent appearance of Deaf/HOH people on television does nothing to suggest the significance of Deaf/HOH people in our society. While TV viewing is a favorite activity of almost everyone, for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people it is an image without sound. They are seeing the picture, but not getting the message. This programming service was established in association with the parents of Deaf/HOH children, Deaf/HOH professionals, Deaf/HOH educators and other concerned individuals dedicated to helping make television a meaningful and positive part of a Deaf/HOH person’s life. Closed captioned broadcast programs, which were mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, merely provide access to conventional television programming. Sign City Television provides the Deaf community with its own platform for producing programs in their own language, sign language, with a specific sensitivity to Deaf culture, and by presenting other Deaf people who can serve as important role models for Deaf children and adults. Hard of Hearing people also gain access to health and technological information specifically targeted to Hard of Hearing people to help them improve the quality of their lives.

WEBSITE
	For more information about Sign City Television, please visit www.signcity.tv.