D.C. stadium ordered to address needs of deaf fans

WASHINGTON - A federal judge ruled this week that FedEx Field - the Washington, D.C. area football stadium - must do more to accommodate hearing impaired patrons and must begin captioning all music lyrics broadcast over the stadium's public address system.

The decision, in a lawsuit filed by deaf and hard of hearing Washington Redskins fans, appears to be the first such ruling under the Americans with Disabilities Act and could lead to similar challenges around the country, an attorney for the plaintiffs said.

After the suit was filed in federal court in 2006, the Redskins began captioning the public address play by play as well as advertisements, public service announcements and other material broadcast in the stadium.

US District Judge Alexander Williams said that ADA regulations also require that "music with lyrics played at FedEx field be effectively communicated to deaf and hard of hearing fans."

Only the Star Spangled Banner and Hail to the Redskins are captioned at FedEx Field.

The modern stadium experience is more than touchdowns and tackles, Williams said.