I am thinking of doing more vlogs. I haven’t decided if all of blogs changed over to vlog, or limit the vlog to historical events. Since this blog is out of my pockets, I will need to ck to ensure that vlog does not use up my allocated space much faster.

Thanks…

Ed

Good points and should be interesting to see what the FCC ultimately decides if any. The only difference between CAD and Hawk Relay is CAD is politically motivated organization and Hawk Relay is in business. In the eyes of the FCC, does that matter? Probably not. We’ll see.

Regarding reimbursement rates, you’re right. The FCC has to decide which of the options on rates that the NECA proposed.

Ed

One, is this a good marketing strategy? CADVRS riding on CSDVRS is not the only avenue. Hawk Relay is using the same concept by doing its own marketing and ride on CAC services. In other words, why should CADVRS be criticized while Hawk Relay isnt, especially when the CADVRS revenues would go to the deaf community while Hawk Relay revenues go to one person’s pocket?

Two, is it acceptable for the VRS rate designed for services per se include revenues for capital gains?

It would be interesting to see what the FCC has decided on rates by end of this month.

Sonny

Good points you made. Financial support verus political stance, which of these should carry higher priority?

Historically, state associations of the Deaf have received $$ via sponsoring conferences, and such. This seems to be different cuz any vendors can sponsor a conference as conference sponsorships are wide open whereas with state assoc of deaf may be limited to one vendor. I very much doubt that a vendor will give state association the permission to use other vendors as well.

There are a few powerful advocates services here and there that get subsantial funding from certain vendors. Possibility, some of these advocate services have taken positions that either are neutral or support of these generous vendors that otherwise may not happen if not for the donations?

We see the same song for presidential aspirants who gets thousand of dollars and are we assured of these aspirants of continuing to be ardent advocates of the people and not secretly support those who donated $$?

Maybe state assoc of the deaf can do “balancing” act and be truly representative of the members of the association? Like a politician can do (some of them do that well and others fail miserably).

Truth be told, I am neutral at this time. I need to hear more from y’all and I and, I’m sure many of alert readers, appreciate ur remarks as they do – so far – make sense. I like ur last paragraph – aptly thought out.

Ed

The national and state associations of the Deaf have tradionally advocated for all members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. The NAD has been able to do great things for all of us because they act as an independent advocate serving the best interests of the community at large.

If a state association of the Deaf becomes a VRS provider, can they still be an independent advocate?

Here is an example: The NAD and others are encouraging the FCC to force Sorenson to open up the ten-digit dialing system to all video phones, including those distributed by Sorenson’s competitors.

If a state association of the Deaf has a vested financial interest in one of Sorenson’s competitors, can that association still be perceived as an effective and independent advoacte?

If the state associations are tightly aligned with the NAD, does the financial conflict of interest of one state association impact the NAD’s position as fair and independent advocate for all Deaf individuals and associations?

Just questions, but perhaps we should ponder these questions before we allow our financial interests to adversely impact our political interests?

(jk-II, on the Pecos)

Why don’t you do vlog instead of blog? Seems like you like writing, that’s fine and you can do vlog including the writeup? Like many deaf people out there, I normally don’t check any blogs but vlogs except infamous ridorlive.

One of your friends

That is a question many of us wondered, too. Silence from the FCC often implies approval. We’ll see how this plays out on the long term.

Ed