Tech Talk Blog Seattle Information Technology

Tech Talk

Seattle Information Technology

City Council Meetings to Include Closed Captioning

by

Councilmember Herbold championed increased accessibility to public meetings

Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle, South Park), who has led efforts related to disabilities-related issues since first being elected in 2015, is pleased to announce the addition of real-time captioning by Seattle Channel to its live cable TV broadcasts of City Council meetings, including committee and special meetings. Closed-captioned Council meetings will also be archived for playback on the air and online at seattlechannel.org and Seattle Channel’s YouTube site.

“Until now, hard-of-hearing individuals were essentially shut out of the conversation altogether because they could not hear the discussion as it was taking place,” said Councilmember Herbold.  “Accessibility is an important part of our democracy. All viewers, regardless of their abilities, should be able to see or hear the interactions and conversations that occur in any public City Council meeting,” Councilmember Herbold said. “With the addition of real-time captioning, these very same individuals will be able to follow along by reading the ‘transcript’ of the meeting as it occurs, thereby ensuring an equal opportunity to participate in our Democracy. I hope to, in the future, expand closed captioning to all of the Seattle Channel’s programming so hard-of hearing individuals can appreciate all of Seattle Channel’s fantastic civic programing.”

Seattle Channel selected VITAC, a national captioning company, through a competitive process. Closed captioning improves government transparency and accessibility by making content available to more people, particularly viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions can also improve comprehension for some, including second-language viewers.

“Seattle Channel is pleased to add captioning to Seattle City Council meetings,” said Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel general manager. “Captioning adds to our mission to provide transparent and increased access to government, and it supports the City’s digital equity goals. We thank Councilmember Herbold for her support and advocacy.”

The addition of closed captioning is part of the Seattle City Council’s objective to increase accessibility to Seattle government. The Seattle City Clerk provides accommodations to Council meetings, including translation and interpretation services, and the Council Chamber is equipped with assisted listening devices and an induction loop system.

“We want community members to be able to access all of the information that’s being shared and discussed at these important public meetings,” said Eric Scheir, who is deaf and serves on the City of Seattle’s Commission for People with disAbilities, which included captioning among the highest priorities in its work plan. “Closed captioning will provide a better experience for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is an exciting development as we continue to work to make it easy and possible for all community members to participate in local government.”

Seattle Channel, an award-winning municipal television station, is available to cable television subscribers in Seattle on channel 21 on Comcast (321 HD) and Wave (721 HD) and on CenturyLink channel 8003 (8503 HD). Programming is also available live on the web at www.seattlechannel.org), which includes a robust archive of thousands of programs available on demand.

Seattle Channel wins national Excellence in Government Programming award, Tony Perez wins Member of the Year

by

Seattle Channel was named among the best municipal television stations in the nation when it received the prestigious Excellence in Government Programming award last night from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), which held its annual national conference in Seattle this week.

Additionally, the city-operated TV station won nine government programming awards, including five first-place wins for programming.

NATOA is a national association representing the needs and interests of local governments in the areas of communications, broadband and technology. NATOA’s annual government programming awards honor excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. This year, NATOA received more than 900 entries submitted in 65 categories by local governments across the country.

“I congratulate the Seattle Channel staff on its dedication to the station’s continued excellence. Everyone on our talented team shares in these awards,” said Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel interim general manager. “Through in-depth programming we strive to provide transparency in city government and deepen understanding of local issues, our changing city and its diverse communities.”

This is Seattle Channel’s eighth NATOA win in the past decade for programming excellence. Seattle Channel competed against other government-access TV stations in large U.S. cities. The station was recognized with the top government-programming award in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Seattle Channel won first-place awards for CityStream, a feature magazine show; a special on aging in Seattle; and a story about a Boy Scout troop for youth with special needs. The station also took the top spot in the video journalism category and won in the public health category for a CityStream show with a focus on health resources, from fighting the opioid epidemic to extreme sports therapy.

In July, NATOA also recognized the Seattle Information Technology department (of which Seattle Channel is a part) with two national awards for digital equity. Seattle IT’s Strategic Plan for Facilitating Equitable Access to Wireless Broadband was awarded the 2017 Community Broadband Strategic Plan of the Year. The Technology Matching Fund was awarded the 2017 Community Broadband Digital Equity Project of the Year. The Community Broadband Awards recognize and highlight the efforts to bring the benefits of technology to communities across the country.

“Our staff is committed to making Seattle a more digitally equitable community and to building strong, engaged and inspired communities through compelling programming,” said Seattle’s Chief Technology Officer Michael Mattmiller. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from our national peers in local government.”

Also recognized at the NATOA conference was Tony Perez, director of Seattle’s Office of Cable Communications. Perez, immediate past president and longtime member of NATOA’s Board of Directors, received NATOA’s 2017 Member of the Year award for his contributions to the field, including his leadership, policy development and strategic advice to ensure that communities benefit from the transformational nature of broadband technology.

Ed Escalona, Seattle Channel’s production manager, received a 2017 Ovation Award for his production contributions to NATOA’s annual meeting held in Seattle.

Here is a listing of Seattle Channel’s 2017 NATOA awards:

Excellence in Government Programming

First Place Seniors: Living Longer, Living Well special

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x69826

Special Audience: CityStream – Troop 419 http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/?videoid=x70831

Public Health: CityStream – Recovery and Discovery

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x64297

Magazine Format Series: CityStream program

http://www.seattlechannel.org/feature-shows/citystream

Video Journalism: Seattle Channel production staff

Second Place Interview/Talk Show: Art Zone with Nancy Guppy interview with Mike McCready http://www.seattlechannel.org/artZone?videoid=x71432

Third Place Election Coverage: City Inside/Out – Restroom Rights

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x64763

Public Education: Community Stories – An American Hero: Frank Nishimura

Government Access Station Website: http://www.seattlechannel.org/

Honorable Mention Arts and Entertainment: Art Zone with Nancy Guppy – Benaroya Hall

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x64300

Partnership Production: Community Stories – An American Hero: Frank Nishimura

http://www.seattlechannel.org/CommunityStories?videoid=x68582

Use of Social Media: Seattle Channel

Seattle Channel Wins Two Regional Emmy Awards

by

seattle channel logo

SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2016

Contact: Lori Patrick, (206) 733-9764
 lori.patrick@seattle.gov

               

Station recognized for historic/cultural programming

SEATTLE – Seattle Channel is the recipient of two Northwest Regional Emmy Awards for historic/cultural programming, one for a segment about the Georgetown Steam Plant and another for an animated short film about a local World War II veteran.

 

The city-operated station was recognized Saturday, June 4 at the Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences’ (NATAS) Emmy Awards ceremony.

 

“Seattle Channel’s in-depth coverage of City Hall and Seattle’s diverse communities helps residents stay informed, engaged and connected with their city,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “I congratulate the station on its work and its commitment to inspiring civic engagement.”

 

A CityStream story about the Georgetown Steam Plant, now the Georgetown PowerPlant Museum, won in the historic/cultural segment category. A blast from Seattle’s past, the plant was built in 1906 mostly to power the city’s electric streetcar system. The segment was produced, photographed and edited by Ralph Bevins. Watch the winning segment: http://www.seattlechannel.org/explore-videos?videoid=x57291.

 

Shiro Kashino, a World War II veteran who grew up in Seattle’s Central District, is the subject of an animated short film, An American Hero: Shiro Kashino, which won in the historic/cultural program category. The feature, part of Seattle Channel’s Community Stories series, draws from the graphic novel Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers, written by Lawrence Matsuda and illustrated by Matt Sasaki. The piece was produced and directed by Shannon Gee, animated by Randy Eng, with audio engineering and sound design by Thomas Cavit and writing by Lawrence Matsuda. Watch the winning feature: http://seattlechannel.org/CommunityStories?videoid=x59988.

 

“Seattle Channel is a catalyst that helps bring people together and develop a better understanding of our changing city,” said Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council’s Education, Equity and Governance Committee. “The station’s inclusive programming features a variety of voices on subjects ranging from public policy to the people and cultural traditions that comprise Seattle.”

 

In the 53rd annual Northwest Emmy Awards, Seattle Channel competed against commercial and public television stations in the Northwest NATAS five-state region which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. This year, the station received 17 Emmy nominations in program categories including overall station excellence, arts/entertainment, health/science, politics/government, interview/discussion, promotion/program campaign as well as photography and editing.

 

“Seattle Channel is committed to producing quality content with depth and impact,” said John Giamberso, Seattle Channel general manager. “Our public-affairs programs spark informed civic dialogue and our arts features and documentaries entertain and inspire. I applaud our talented team for its dedication to excellence in local programming.”

 

Seattle Channel is a local TV station that reflects, informs and inspires the community it serves. Seattle Channel presents programs on cable television – channel 21 on Comcast (321 HD) and Wave (721 HD) – and via the Internet at seattlechannel.org to help residents connect with their city. Programming includes series and special features highlighting the diverse civic and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest’s premier city.

2014 Department of Information Technology Report

by

2014 was a year of accomplishment and transition for the Seattle Department of Information Technology.

The Annual Report also shows what DoIt has learned about internet access and use in Seattle

The Annual Report also shows what DoIt has learned about internet access and use in Seattle

Seattle Channel took home many Emmy Awards. DoIT laid the groundwork for Seattle’s national leadership on our municipal Privacy Principles and Toolkits. We also transferred just over 55% of the City’s 102,000 Web pages into our Content Management System (CMS) and ramped up the migration to the cloud in Office 365.

You can read about these accomplishments and more in the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology 2014 Annual Report.

The projects, metrics and analytics that were either started or completed in 2014 you can find them: our digital cities survey, the technology access and adoption report, infrastructure enhancements, WMBE purchasing, uptime statistics and much more.

2014 was a year where DoIT moved forward with major projects that will take years for completion, while, at the same time, accomplishing some very distinguished goals within the calendar year. The City of Seattle Department of Information Technology 2014 Annual Report  is an user-friendly accounting of DoIt’s accomplishments, metrics and outlook for the future.

Community Stories: A Decade Celebrating Diversity

by

cs10year

Seattle Channel is celebrating 10 years of “Community Stories”, the documentary series that spotlights Seattle communities with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

In her blog, Community Stories producer Shannon Gee writes, “Since that first summer in 2005, Community Stories has told inspiring stories from all over the city. We met the tireless volunteers at Seattle’s VA Hospital; saw how Helping Link teaches computer literacy skills and English to Vietnamese immigrants; and followed the Post-Prison Education Program, which provides college tuition for ex-cons.”

She adds, “We met a lot of firsts, too. Harold Mills, the first African American hydroplane racer at Seafair. Bonnie Beers, the city of Seattle’s first female firefighter. Dr. Ruby Shu, the first Japanese American female doctor in Seattle. We examined history with the story of slain Seattle Filipino American and fishing cannery activists Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes and looked back at how Seattle responded to the emerging AIDS crisis in the 1980s. We said hello to new Hillman City coffee shop Tin Umbrella and goodbye to the beloved Bailey/Coy Books on Broadway.”

In 10 years, Community Stories has been honored with more than 30 Northwest Emmy™ nominations, including five for the series overall, and 10 wins. The latest win was this year. Ian Devier won a Northwest Regional Emmy Award for his editing of “Honor Totem.” The awards didn’t end there.

honortotemyoutubepicIn June, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) recognized the Seattle Channel with a 2015 Kaleidoscope Award, which honors outstanding achievements in the coverage of diversity. “Honor Totem” is a documentary which chronicled the carving of a totem pole to honor John T. Williams, a First Nations woodcarver who was fatally shot by a Seattle police officer in August 2010. It also detailed the artistic legacy of his family.

Congratulations to Shannon Gee, Ian Devier and everyone at Seattle Channel for 10 years of quality storytelling. Here’s to many more years of celebrating the stories of people who are often overlooked and ignored, but that doesn’t make their voices any less important.

If you’d like to submit story input, want further information or might have a suggestion for Community Stories, please contact Community Stories Senior Producer Shannon Gee at  shannon.gee@seattle.gov

Watch the Seattle Channel’s elections coverage and remember to vote by Tuesday, November 6

by

This is the first Presidential Election that King County has voted all by mail. Voters are reminded to turn ballots into ballot drop boxes before 8 pm on November 6 or make sure the ballot is postmarked November 6 or earlier.

If you’re a new voter and you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late. New voters can register in person until Oct 29. Here’s how:  http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/registration.aspx

Registered voters should receive ballots no later than October 23. Track your ballot packet and get questions answered at http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections.aspx.

The Seattle Channel has covered the election during the last few weeks, and a roundup of the video election coverage can be found below:

 Don’t forget to vote on or before Nov. 6!

Two openings on tech advisory board

by

Applications are being taken through Feb. 1st for two volunteer positions on City of Seattle Technology Advisory Board.

The ten member Citizens’ Technology Advisory Board (CTTAB – seattle.gov/cttab) helps guide city strategies and investments in our digital future, including broadband deployment and adoption, Seattle Channel and Seattle.gov services, cable tv franchise agreements, Technology Matching Fund grants and efforts to close the digital divide. 

For these two-year volunteer positions, the City is looking for people with the time to serve and interest or expertise in one or more of these areas:

•     the future of television programming and digital journalism

•     strategic partnerships and broadband development

Applications will be taken through Feb 1, 2012.  See more details about the position requirements and the Board at http://www.seattle.gov/cttab/ .  Please email your resume and letter of interest to CommunityTechnology@seattle.gov.

Seattle Channel Gets New General Manager

by

John Giamberso was just named the new Seattle Channel General Manager, following a national search. He has extensive experience in television production and web streaming, having been both the Operations Manager and Production Manager at the Seattle Channel. Formerly, John was the Station Manager at King County Television. He has been an integral part of the team at Seattle Channel that has built a national reputation with innovative quality programming covering politics, communities and arts.