FCC politics is so complicated and most of the staff are so focused on policy issues; however, with Karen on board will make sure that our telecommunication needs are met.

This is a perfect timing because of what had happened with the VRS. I believe Karen will bring in some light on what had happened with Purple Communications regarding to Deaf staff making business calls. A Deaf employee has a right to use the VRS as an individual who cannot use the voice phone and VRS is the means for them to communicate. Deaf VRS employees do not have any other options in making business or non-business telephone without being able to hear and speak on the voice telephone.

The phone calls by Deaf people regardless if they are working for Purple Communications or at another VRS company should be reimbursed by the TASA/NECA/TRS/FCC fund. I think this issue needs to be revisited as for Deaf people working in the VRS making calls. Where I work and I do business with other companies making VRS calls. How is that different if I am not a VRS employee? Does the Deaf VRS employee have options, if they cannot call VRS because they work for VRS? This logic is troubling and I hope Karen will show the FCC commissioners the conflict that was supposed to enhance the Deaf people’s freedom to call anywhere and from anywhere.

I do not see that happening because the buck stops at the FCC that has Deaf employees and making calls is part of their job requirement which is not allowed for reimbursement.

Wait until someone opens the can of worms!

Hey “no name here, sorry”,

She is not deaf, but can sign.

eyes open & thumbs up..

Now we really need a person to be a New Deputy Chief of Deaf Education Bureau to reform the Deaf Education program that still have the problem across the country.

Let’s stop kidding ourselves that Deaf babies and children in schools are being the same level as hearing children in schools. We do have a lot of problems with Deaf Education.

We need to get to the root of the problem with Deaf Education and Language.

Please go to http://www.dbcusa.org/ and understand why Deaf babies and children in schools are the big problems we have in the Deaf community.

Thank you,
John F. Egbert

Greg Hlibok is well versed with our TRS and VRS endeavors. Yes, now he has someone to back him up, that’s good news.