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Remote attendees ask Tinmouth board to improve Zoom accessibility
Summary
A Zoom attendee requested the board improve audio and identification for virtual participants (call speakers by first and last name, direct comments to the chair, reduce side conversations); the board discussed signage, an OWL device, and possibly a second OWL or hand mic.
During Citizens Input, a remote participant identified as Sherry Johnson (speaker 8) urged the board to make meetings more accessible to Zoom attendees. Johnson said she and her husband have attended meetings by Zoom since 2016 and described difficulty hearing side conversations and identifying who is speaking; she asked the board to call speakers by first and last name when recognizing them and to direct comments to the chair so Zoom participants can follow the meeting.
Board members discussed practical fixes. The chair suggested hanging a sign asking speakers to state their first and last name and to speak up for the OWL camera; other members proposed a second OWL device or a wireless hand microphone. One board member said they would contact OWL for product options. The board agreed to work on improving the Zoom experience.
