Comcast and EL TRI Collaborate to Make Music in the Park Accessible with Sign Language Interpretation

Comcast has announced a partnership with the legendary Mexican rock band, EL TRI, to provide sign language interpretation for their upcoming performance at the Music in the Park concert series. The event is scheduled for June 22 at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose. This initiative marks the first time EL TRI, known for their Spanish lyrics, will perform with sign language interpreters, thereby enhancing the concert experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans.

This collaboration underscores Comcast's commitment to accessibility and community engagement. Recently, the company introduced live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services at eight Bay Area Xfinity Store locations, allowing customers in need of ASL support to access live interpreters via ASL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), provided by partner Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD).

EL TRI, a cornerstone in Latin America's rock scene, is set to deliver an inclusive performance as part of San Jose's popular Music in the Park summer series. “We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful initiative,” said Alex Lora, lead singer of EL TRI. “Music is a universal language, and it’s important that everyone, regardless of their hearing ability, can share in the experience and energy of our live performances. We can’t wait to rock out with all our fans in San Jose!”

In addition to the concert's interpreting services, Comcast has also announced $60,000 in grants to three community partners: San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, California School for the Deaf, and the World Institute on Disability. These grants aim to enhance digital inclusion and accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, families, seniors, and community members.

According to the American Community Survey (ACS), 3.6% of the U.S. population is “deaf or have serious difficulty hearing.” Additionally, Pew Research Center reports that 23% of people with disabilities never go online, with 57% lacking a home broadband connection. Through its Project UP initiative, Comcast is addressing these connectivity barriers with programs like Internet Essentials, Lift Zones, and skill development and training.

This event, in collaboration with Pro Bono ASL, exemplifies Comcast's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. “This historical event is meaningful because these interpreters are trilingual. They know Spanish, English, and American Sign Language, creating inclusivity within the Latino deaf community, which often tends to be left behind,” said Rorri Burton, Founder and Director of Pro Bono ASL. “We are grateful to Comcast for demonstrating inclusivity and commitment to the Latino deaf community.”

In addition to interpreting EL TRI's iconic lyrics, interpreters from Pro Bono ASL will also translate the announcers of traditional Lucha Libre matches, which will entertain attendees before the concert. Featuring local wrestlers like “El Gladiador del aire” El Viento and “Rey de las pesadillas” El Cucuy, these matches add to the evening's inclusive entertainment.

The concert details are as follows:

• Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024

• Time: Doors open at 4:00 PM

• Location: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose, CA

• Special Feature: ASL interpretation provided by Pro Bono ASL, sponsored by Comcast

For more information about Comcast's accessibility initiatives, visit newsdirect.com.