Dear Charlie Kirk,
It’s not optional—accessibility saves lives. Your recent comments about sign language interpreters being a “distraction” during emergency broadcasts misses the mark.
Accessibility Is Not a Distraction
Sign language interpreters in emergency broadcasts are not there for decoration or as an afterthought. They are lifelines. During emergencies—wildfires, hurricanes, terrorist attacks—clear and immediate communication can mean the difference between life and death. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are worthy of access to accurate and timely information.
Why Interpreters Matter
Interpreters deliver more than words—they convey urgency, tone, and context. For many Deaf individuals, American Sign Language (ASL) is their first language, not English. Captions, while helpful, assume English fluency and often miss the urgency of a situation the way a skilled interpreter can through their expressions and signing.
Captions Have Limits
Closed captioning is an excellent tool, but it is not flawless. Captioning can be prone to errors—missing words, incorrect punctuation, or even mistranscriptions—that can significantly alter the meaning of critical information. For example, the absence of a comma in “Let’s eat, Grandma” changes the sentence’s meaning entirely. In emergency situations, such errors can lead to confusion or, worse, endanger lives.
Taking Information Access for Granted
Your comments highlight a privilege: hearing individuals often take access to information for granted. Suggesting we “go back to basics” by removing interpreters isn’t simplifying—it’s excluding.
California Wildfires
Accessibility isn’t extra—it’s essential. Lives depend on it. To everyone impacted by the California wildfires, we send our deepest support. Stay safe and stay informed.
Charlie Kirk’s Statement
From the January 8, 2025, edition of The Charlie Kirk Show, streamed on Rumble:
“CHARLIE KIRK: I’m gonna say this just off the cuff before I introduce our guest. Can we please just go away with half the screen during these emergency briefings to the sign language interpreters? I have nothing against, obviously, people that cannot hear, but there’s closed captioning. I mean, this is just over the top. We can’t do this. We gotta get back to how it used to be. It’s just, oh, it’s just too much. It’s a distraction is what it is. The reason is they do these emergency briefings for fires or terrorist attacks, and you’re looking at this and you’re not listening. I don’t like it. So we got — we just gotta — closed captioning’s perfectly fine. I think we have to — we gotta get back to basics here.”
View Charlie Kirk’s X post here.
15 Responses
This is perfectly well worded and educational, and helped me better understand and we need to spread this information to those that are frustrated. It’s A lack of deaf education and empathy as well. This is a clear example of ableism. Let’s spread the message to those that complain so they can understand the difference between ASL and closed captioning.
You’re absolutely right—education and empathy are key to breaking down ableism. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and support accessibility.
This is a great example of audism- hearing privilege. If the interpreter is a distraction to you, don’t look- you can hear the news without looking!
A classic example, indeed. Imagine these broadcasts without audio — how would that feel to those claiming accessibility is a distraction.
Also, the more we have interpreters at press conferences, rallies, sporting events, performances, etc. the less distracting they’ll be for people. Folks will get used to it and it won’t be a big deal anymore.
Great point, making accessibility the standard is the way and interpreters are needed for MORE not less events.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well done!!!
Thanks Kim and thank you for reading!
Beautifully written and 100% spot on. Your point about captions having limitations and, for a lot of Deaf folks, English is not their first language, highlights why interpreters are crucial, especially in emergency situations.
My son in law is deaf,his father and mother & family. Sign language is a must. We cannot do these people out they are part of our community. Out there with Out there with these You need to understand what’s happening out there with these fires. I totally enjoy your shows But this was totally uncalled for. Many people from the deaf community were very hurt and angry that you said this. You need to publicly Apologize for your comments.
I would be curious to know if Mr. Kirk’s opinion would change if he had deaf loved ones or friends that depended on crucial information to save their lives.
Yes, as it appears they have no empathy unless it affects them.
Former ASL interpreter here. This is kinda scary stuff. The MAGA crowd is working to other to “other” everyone who is not (temporarily) able bodied, cis, straight, white, male, (their kind of) Christian and economically comfortable.
Among the first to be rounded up in 1930s Germany were people with disabilities.
Spoken like a true ignorant that didn’t think this through before speaking. Good to know we have an ignorant person working and think is the best for us, what we should get or not. Unreal.
This is a perfect opportunity. Not for the NAD to come down on Charlie Kirk. Bullying him will not do. See the conservative thought has been lost in translation. He said that captions was enough. Well if it was enough we would not need interpreters. Whether we use captions or the interpreter is free of choice. But there is so little conservative thinking expressed in sign language that the whole Deaf World would extend a hand to Fox news and its affiliates like Charlie Kirk. There are 12 million Deaf People who need to hear more of what kirk covers in his media reports. Also, Charlie needs to understand that his cause is more than his current audience. Deaf People and Kirk have the same worry. Same concerns. I call 911 the other day and they did not have a direct line. Instead i was put through a 5 minute mulit-language prompt. It started with SPANISH. A man had been shot outside and needed medics pronto. So yes, they need to get that off of there when i am trying to call 911. I directly need humans that speak English or sign language. I do not need to talk to machines trying to figure out what language i speak in such an emergency. I understand what Charlie Kirk is saying. But i understand the importance of sign language interpreters. The two worlds need to unite over this. At least one of my best friends has punched me in the eye. Such is life. He punched us in the eye. Now it’s time to become the best of friends. LOL You know what i am saying. Lets unite by interpreting his show. It is a two way win. We take a punch in the eye and now the Deaf presence grows across the nation. I do not play politics. This one is a win. Call me when you want me to broker a deal. You never know when the person who punches you in the eye is going to become your best friend.