Deaf Pagan Crossroads

There are five categories that an individual can choose from. You can only enter ONCE, in one of the following categories:

Best Blog Entry – A written blog from a deaf or hard of hearing person sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA. Blogs must be written in English, and can include pictures, etc.

Best Vlog Entry – A video blog from a deaf or hard of hearing person sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA . While most vlogs are signed in ASL, the vlogger is free to use whatever communication method desired (signing, cueing, verbal speech, etc.) however, the vlog must be accessible through the use of captions or an included transcript.

Best “Friend of ECA” Entry – This is a blog or vlog created by a hearing individual, sharing thoughts, etc. on ECA. If your entry is a vlog, you are free to use whatever communication method desired, but the vlog must be accessible through the use of captions or an included transcript.

Best International Entry – We wish to encourage participation on an international level, and thus we encourage blogs/vlogs from deaf and hard of hearing individuals in other countries, where the concept of Equal Communication Access might be different from America. If you are from a country outside of the USA, we encourage you to submit an entry! While you may write your blog in your native language, please also include an English translation within the blog itself. If you wish to make a vlog using your own language (manual or spoken), please feel free to do so, but the vlog will need to include English captions or an included English transcript.

Best Video Entry – Perhaps you want to get a bit more creative and develop a video…sort of like a short movie clip. (click here to see the ECA video as an example). This category is for you! Videos can be submitted by deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing individuals from either here in America or from other countries. Again, the video needs use whatever methods possible so it can be understood by the majority of viewers.

Please make sure that you follow the rules as explained in each category. Failure to follow the rules (such as not including captions or a transcript) will result in disqualification from the contest.

Write a blog or create a vlog/video that explains why you support Equal Communication Access. You can share your thoughts, express your feelings, use some examples, whatever you desire…as long as you are talking about ECA. You can talk about what Equal Communication Access means to you. You can talk about why you need Equal Communication Access. You can talk about what can be done to create Equal Communication Access.

Please remember that the purpose of these blogs/vlogs/videos is to help educate people about what Equal Communication Access is, and why it is important. We want to encourage people to think about things such as captioning, interpreters, relay services, ASL, etc. Most of these people know very little about deafness or communication issues. Most of them do not know sign language. This is why we require that vlogs and videos be accessible through the use of captions, transcripts, or other means of conveying the message so it can be understood by the majority of people. Please also remember that not all deaf and hard of hearing people know or are fluent in sign language, so verbal narration alone is not sufficient.

Once you have written/created your blog, vlog or video, post it on your own site.

Select the category that you wish to enter from above, and then send an email to our Equal Communication Access Contest Coordinator, Virginia L. Beach (a.k.a. “Ocean”) at

vabeach25@insightbb.com

In your email, please include the following:

1. Your name or blogger name (the name by which you want to be known for this contest)

2. The name of your site (your blog name)

3. The title of your post (the blog/vlog/video you created for this contest)

4. The link (URL) for your post

5. The category you are entering (you can only choose one)

You MUST send an email to be entered into the contest. Posting your blog/vlog/video at DeafRead does NOT mean you are entered. No email, no entry…period.

You will receive an email response to tell you that you are entered in the contest.

Deaf Pagan Crossroads will post a weekly listing of all entries received for that week – you can check that list to make sure you are included.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY SATURDAY, AUGUST 25TH

NO EXCEPTIONS!

TOP FIVE FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH

WINNERS OF EACH CATEGORY WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH

Any questions? Contact Virginia at vabeach25@insightbb.com or post a comment here.