School, college and other closings for Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The White House on Monday announced that its regular press briefings will now include an American Sign Language interpreter. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the move was "part of this administration's accessibility and inclusion efforts."

She noted that Monday's interpreter, identified as Heather, was translating the briefing virtually (a livestream of the interpreter played alongside Psaki during Monday's press conference). 

"The president is committed to building an America that is more inclusive, more just and more accessible for every American," Psaki said. 

The administration had earlier garnered praise from accessibility advocates for having the Pledge of Allegiance 

 in spoken English and ASL on Inauguration Day. 

The interpreted briefing can be viewed on the White House's social media accounts. 

Watch the latest White House press briefing here

Watch the latest White House press briefing here.

The previous administration under former President Donald Trump was sued last year over accessibility of its briefings, and a judge ordered in the fall that it had to provide a sign language interpreter for its updates on the coronavirus crisis, as 

Following Psaki's announcement Monday, Twitter users praised the decision, declaring that the move was long overdue. 

Politics and Government News

Social Issues

Alana Wise

Author

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can now view an American Sign Language interpretation of the press briefings, White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced on Monday.

White House enlists ASL interpreters for daily press briefings

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox