Consumer Group Submits Petition to the FCC
29 01 2010Folks…
Consumer Groups – National Assoc of the Deaf, Telecomm for the Deaf and HOH, Assoc of Late-Deafened Adults, Inc., Deaf HOH Consumer Advocacy Network, Calif Coalition of Agencies Serving Deaf/HOH, Hearing Loss Associaiton of America, and America Assoc of the Deaf Blind – submits petition to the FCC. Basically Petition is asking the FCC to issue a notice and comment rule-making proceeding on the matter of limiting or restricting certain types of Video Relay Service (VRS) calls such as conference calls, recording calls, etc.
HURRAH!
Looks as if the NECA and FCC are hammered from all sides now: Consumers, VRS providers, and National Deaf/HOH groups on what all perceive to be not reasonable actions taken not to reimburse minutes of certain features. Coming from this powerful groups have to have an impact on FCC.
Keep in mind that NECA is doing these actions under directives from FCC. Keep in mind also, that the supporting FCC staff are issuing directives based on the 8th Floor’s decisions. 8Th Floor getting directives from (?) Congress or powerful lobbyist? Or influenced by media? Probably combination of several factors.
To be sure FBI arrests, frauds, VRS providers looking for loopholes and all that created the situation. However, I think pendulum went from one extreme side to the other extreme side. FCC needs to find a balanced decision that is fair for all.
Quotable quotes:
"..have learned that some VRS providers are either not connecting or may stop connecting certain types ofVRS calls because the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA), the TRS Fund administrator, is withholding payment for certain types of calls."
"Not connecting certain types ofVRS calls is inconsistent with Section 64.604(a)(3) ofthe Commission’s rules, harms consumers, and is not functionally equivalent to the communication access that hearing telephone users enjoy.."
"Congress clearly expected that all types o f telecommunications services, using both existing and improved technologies, are to be made available to people with disabilities."
Consumer Group offered rationales which make sense as to why certain telephone features should be offered to the deaf/HOH. Worth reading…
Check this link out:
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
Long Link:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7020383912
NAD:
http://www.nad.org/news/2010/1/fcc-actions-block-consumer-vrs-calls
FCC should not stop paying VRS…most are not our faults.. If they arrest the fraud and put in jail, FCC should not stop paying and punish deaf people. Do not torture deaf by no VRS…Deaf NEED VRS..
I think FCC is trying to do its job of protecting TRS fund. They have discovered many VRS companies and white labels have engaged in abusive tactics that has threatened the TRS fund. VRS companies not willing to process your calls are the ones punishing you. If payments have been withheld, there is probably a good reason for it. Some VRS companies may be “punished” with no cause, but it is the price to pay for our part in it… there are many innocent people, but also there are many of us that didn’t do anything about it and others who were part of it. We have to let the FCC do it s job… VRS companies who have been true will get their monies and those who haven’t, will not. Due Process, folks…
i want to said few things that vrs very good job to us . it helps us get hold of family friends and my need any things . that i drop my appcation for job for need to live on it then some how company do not undersand about vrs!! when vrs call me so i just hope some one call me then i answer my video phone then few sec then haung up on my vrs and where come from see like hire person do not undersand vrs that why due hardship to try get job . i do not blame on vrs not scam that that they think keep on blame on vrs whole time . that i felt about that . i wish some how to teach any hearing person to learn about our vrs and deaf peole know about realy want to talk some one to handle jobs and bills dept any things to call for them to keep in peace for deaf peoples need more freedom to use vrs and not getold way back on tdd or tty not going to work out . that is my view points to speak out for our freedom . today seem we are not get much freedom !!!!! just few of freedom for use use vrs did real great job to us .
We come to your attention on this important issue that VRS providers do reject the deaf conumser the right get on the phone call because the interpreters are AFRIAD to interpreting from conference calls, radio calls and recording calls. This is not yet 100 percent fully accessable to the deaf comm…unity like hearing people have more feature than the deaf does. This is not good thing for the VRS providers. We need to find the way for all deaf community to express voice to be heard through FCC. We would like to share feed back and get some suggestion how we the deaf community can to do something about it.