Why is it necessary for the winners to provide a written transcript?
If your video is chosen as a winner, it will be necessary to provide a written transcript of your video so that closed captioning for the hearing impaired can be included with your video. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that Federal departments and agencies that develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology to ensure that Federal employees and members of the public with disabilities have access to and use of information and data, comparable to that of the employees and members of the public without disabilities–unless it is an undue burden to do so. Therefore, when the winning Portraits of Compassion videos are shown during the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conference in June or posted on a website sponsored by the Federal government, the videos must have closed captioning so that the hearing impaired will be able to read along. If your video is a finalist, you will be required to provide a written transcript of your
