Petition by CSDVRS
26 08 2009Folks..
CSDVRS is petitioning FCC to initiate rule-making on regulation of provider representatives and their marketing practices.
Basically, CSDVRS is claiming that a few VRS providers would use their marketing practices where their representative would threaten to take away their video phones if they do not use provider that gave video phones to VRS users, harass VRS users until they start using its VRS provider, mislead into thinking if they “dial-around” that VRS will lose the features of Video Phone, and other unethical representative practices.
CSDVRS is saying deaf/hoh persons are intimidated by unscrupulous representatives that they are afraid to report to the FCC.
CSDVRS is proposing stiff penalty with fines equal to many people’s full year’s salaries and more.
Read on, Gentle Readers.
CSDVRS is the same as The Z Co if you are wondering…and was submitted by Sean Belanger, a CEO who is a hearing person along with a lawyer.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Unsubstantiated allegation. How could FCC act?
Well, while he has not specifically named any VRS relay company in his petition, it’s not hard to guess which one he is complaining about…and there’s this link: http://www.drzvrs.com/?p=1493
BTW, is Sean Belanger the same person who posted editorials and other articles under the name of Dr. Z ? *scratch head*
Hi,
I’m the new subscriber here. Just want to leave a thank you note for keeping me in the loop with the VRS industry. It’s nice to have those kind of knowledge and be armed with it. Keep it up, Ed!
Josh
Nope that was Phil, the Bravin.
Below is a repeat of my comment on Dr. Z’s page:
August 27th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Re: 4. Sorenson is not eliminating the proxy/faux number resulting in consumers continuing to use the proxy number versus the new real 10 digit number. The FCC Numbering Orders require the elimination of proxy numbers but Sorenson still affirmatively uses them thereby causing confusion for the consumers.
Since I obtained the TDN from Sorenson which is in the data base, I have asked Sorenson 3 times to please remove my proxy number from their data base. The reason for this request is that I have a CapTel with the same TDN as the proxy number. If they would remove my proxy number from their data base, all VP calls would go to my CapTel via the caller’s choice of VRS provider and they would get the message that the proxy number dialed has been discontinued and to use the new TDN number xxx-xxx-xxxx. But they have not responded to this request and I consider this failure on their part a consistent example of the Sorenson management’s consistent inconsideration, unethical behaviors, and disrespect of my rights to be in control of my communications. For these reasons and many other reasons, I have zero respect for them as a company. So I guess I’ll have to wait until Nov. 12 when the proxy numbers can no longer be used. In retaliation, I fearlessly use the VP 200 to dial around to other VRS providers.
Ed, what’s up with the hearing label? and thanks for posting our comments to FCC and even more thanks for the law degree. Yes I am hearing but you can ask my wife I more HOH every day. Good thing my signing keeps improving. For the other comment I am not Dr Z frrm DRZVRS.com. Dr. Z is Phil Bravin a big fan of Z and in full disclosure a contractor for ZVRS. My board who I work for is headed by Ben Soukup Chairman of the Board of CSDVRS/Z a company with several deaf senior executives and over 60% deaf employees (excluding interpreters).
By the way I am fan Convo and your work.
Thumbs up as well.
sean
This hearing thing is a question I have been asked from time to time by readers from edsalert. Notice I did the same thing in latest post.
I know you sign; I compliment you on this – really do. I always am impressed with hearing CEO who signs. You don’t find that much.
Phil Bravin is an old friend of mine dating back to the days when we roomed together.
Cheers..
ed
Okay, I stand corrected. Thanks for clearing that up.
I cannot identify myself due to current contact with FCC/FBI regarding CACDHH (CACVRS) and Viable (ViableVRS) practices dating back many months before Viable’s launch. There’s not much can be done unless hard proof of such practices are shown. Hearing individuals, businesses and organizations have total conveniences of audio recording and other features. It takes lots to record things by videophone. Sincerely, I hope things are fine with CSDVRS/ZVRS considering the fact an installer couldn’t come to the home of one of my very trusted pals. An employee openly volunteered to my pal an information I found surprising: CSDVRS/ZRS doesn’t have funds for this but my pal is tech-savvy enough to receive and set up the Z340 on his own. I hope Convo, Sprint and others will come up with their own through OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) with their proprietary software. Now Creative, D-Link, Ojo, SBN-Tech, Tandy and some more available. Note to Convo–I understand it takes time to develop new stuff. But, I ache to see your Code of Ethics posted on Convo. Ditto for all other relay providers yet doing so.
Sean is a cool dude! I enjoy knowing him and meeting him. He cares about what deaf people need in communication.
=)
Hi ya Ed! I must say that I don’t often post comments but felt I had to when you wrote that Sean is a “hearing” person. Even though you’ve been asked…It is unnecessary to “label” whether the person is hearing/deaf/hard of hearing/late deafened/cochlear implanted…etc. It only stigmatizes people and keeps the community divided. It is the root of all problems in our, otherwise, wonderful community of diverse people. Who cares if the person who runs or own companies that are hearing, deaf, black, white, etc. We should be looking at their product and whether their product meets our needs and expectations….not whether the company is owned by x number of deaf people or run by deaf people.
By the way….congrats on Convo Relay and I enjoy reading your posting! Always informative and interesting!
Fair winds,
Sharon
should fine vrs for not answer call within 90 mins. all vrs failed!
I have z340 and did had rep to come but it’s not comfortable to use compare with Sorenson, Viable PLUS or MVP. There’s also plm with login when system is down, cant login then cant make calls! PLM is z340 is made for hearing which is labeled under Inperson. I just wasted my $$ on z340 and Am going to sell it on ebay. Make sure the equipments are made for user of deaf/hh!
Edsalert Commentators,
Please comment only on what is posted and not to digress to different issue. See the tab on Policy.
Thanks…
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Sharon,
Thanks for your comments. Ideally, it should not influence one’s decision if people know if the person is deaf or hearing. It is nice to know, though. Personally, I would want to know. I believe I echo lot of people’s sentiment on this as well.
I especially would want to know if the person is deaf. If not, fine. Being deaf, it is only natural to wish to know.
You looked at it as negative; I look at it as informative. Sean responded he signs and I complimented him. This is the kind of information readers like.
Fair winds also,
Ed
PS: Reason for “fair winds” – Sharon, her husband, and I once shared same passion – sailing.
Gene,
I think you meant 90 seconds? ALL VRS passed the test of 90 minutes ;-]
Thanks…
Ed
Hey Gene give us a call.. We will give you a full refund on your 340.
We have people in line for that phone.
Ed I agree I am interested in finding out more about people as well but let’s be complete.
Can you ask the people who comment to sign comments as follows?
Sean: white, hearing, catholic, old, bald, Irish, democrat, easterner.
having fun
Sean,
ha ha ha – not bad an idea really. Now we know you. Isn’t that awesome?
Ed
Ed…I must admit I am quite impressed with an CEO caliber like Sean Belanger who of a sudden jumped into the group of crowd to take ASL lessons that he can be able to communicate with his peers at the firm and throughout. Not many as a CEO has that capacity to be around the deaf/HH crowd and communicate. I salute him for his enthusiastic. I know my son Cody Northcutt works with ZVRS and and he enjoyed seeing Sean picking up ASL communicatons. Sean, way to go!
Thanks!
Sean
You seemed a nice guy and we do appreciate your work with Z company. But you see that lot of us don’t use zvrs because most of us already know most of the profits will go to Ben Soukup’s pockets instead of investing it to the deaf community through CSD. I believed that Convo is the only company that is doing the right thing which is to be a CONSUMER DRIVEN company. I suggest that ZVRS is better off to start their own and follow Convo’s example instead being under Ben’s reign.
John Doe? what up?
Ben is the Chariman of the Board and takes no salary or payment for that role.
Nice try.. John
PDF Link seems to be broken?
Hi is there any newest update for Nov 2009 ? I see last Aug 2009. There’s alot goin on about FRAUD VRS FCC here.. that’s not good for everyone get rip off with FCC.