VOLUME 39, NO. 2 n SUMMER 2008 WORLD Technology News and Commentary for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
FCC’s Ten-Digit Telephone Numbering Order Article Begins on Page 10
TDI 8630FentonStreet•Suite604 Non-Profit Org. ALSO INSIDE: SilverSpring,Maryland U.S. Postage 20910-3803 PAID Dulles, VA The Accessible Enterprise Permit No. 163 See Page 19 18th Biennial TDI Conference Registration
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TDI WORLD 1 TDI’S MISSION “TDI provides leadership in achieving equal access to telecommunications, media, and information technologies for deaf and hard of hearing people.” WORLD FEATURE ARTICLES Volume 39, Number 2 Summer 2008
Editor-in-Chief: Claude Stout Managing Editor: James House Advertising: Chad Metcalf Publication Production: Electronic Ink
10 Digit Telephone Numbers: What, Why, How and Why Now? ...... pg 10 TDI BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORTHEAST REGION Phil Jacob [email protected] SOUTHEAST REGION Fred Weiner [email protected] The Accessible Enterprise ...... pg 18 MIDWEST REGION Greg Gantt, Secretary [email protected] 18th Biennial TDI Conference Registration Form ...... pg 23 CENTRAL REGION Lori Breslow, Treasurer [email protected] WEST REGION Judy Viera [email protected]
From Napkin to Reality ...... pg 26 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Dr. Roy E. Miller, President [email protected] Joe Duarte, Vice President REGULAR COLUMNS [email protected] Carol Sliney BOARD VIEWS by Dr. Roy Miller, TDI President ...... pg 2 [email protected] “Seems Like There’s Always Another Wall” EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CAPITOL COMMENTARY by Claude Stout, TDI Executive Director ...... pg 4 ClaudeStout•[email protected] ‘Tis the Season of Joining and Giving PUBLIC RELATIONS & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ACCESSIBLE TECH by James House, TDI World Editor ...... pg 8 JamesHouse•[email protected] “The Other Digital Television Transition” CEPIN PROGRAM DIRECTOR NeilMcDevitt•[email protected] TDI IN ACTION April - June 2008 ...... pg 32 CEPIN PROGRAM OUTREACH MANAGER Michele Roseman [email protected]
ADVERTISING MANAGER & MEMBER SERVICES OFFICER Thanks to these Advertisers: ChadMetcalf•[email protected] SprintRelay(insidefrontcover)•AT&TRelay(pg.5)•Ultratec(pg.7)•CSDVRS(pg.11)•ResearchinMotion(pg.13) BUSINESS MANAGER X-VRS(pg.14)•Viable(pg.15)•Purple(pg.17)•Verizon(pg.19)•CSD(pg.22) ScottRecht•[email protected] sComm(pg.29)•Microsoft(pg.31)•HamiltonRelay(pg.35)•AT&T(pg.37)•Snap!VRS(pg.39) MarylandRelay(pg.40)•SprintRelay(insidebackcover)•Sorenson(backpage) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY GloriaCarter[email protected]
Selected articles of TDI WORLD are available in PDF format on TDI’s website at www.tdi-online.org. TDI You will need to download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read a PDF file on your computer. For 8630 Fenton Street - Suite 604 more information, please contact TDI. Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
www.tdi-online.org - www.cepintdi.org TDI WORLD is published quarterly by TDI to provide information about telecommunications, media and information technology access for people who are deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing and deaf- TELEPHONES: blind. You may freely copy and distribute all or portions of TDI WORLD for non-commercial use with credit Video/TTY: ...... 301-589-3006 given to TDI. TDI has no affiliation with any company advertised, and the mention of company names, Voice: ...... 301-589-3786 productsandservicesinthearticleshereincomessolelyfromtheauthors’ownexperiencesanddoes FAX: ...... 301-589-3797 not imply accuracy nor endorsement by TDI. Furthermore, TDI does not warrant any product or services VIDEOPHONE IP ADDRESSES: mentioned herein to be in compliance with Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section Ojo: ...... 71.166.174.52 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or any other federal, state or local laws. Sorenson VP-200: ...... 71.166.174.51 2 TDI WORLD
BoardViews
Seems Like There’s Always Another Wall
recently gave a workshop the Han dynasty (206 BC). It is said concerning the history of that under Kublai Khan China had telecommunications technology about 1,400 postal stations. Carrying I in which I briefly traced how letters on horseback extended the we communicate over great distances distance that messages could be sent BY DR. ROY MILLER from the use of smoke signals, letters and increased the speed with which TDI President carried on horse back, and signal fires messages were delivered. to such things as cell phones, pagers However, like the development of and videophones. And while I was alphabetic smoke signals, at the time developing my presentation I was putting mailmen on horses provided struck by the fact that every advance no telecommunication benefits to in telecommunications technology deaf people. Why not? Because deaf seemed to carry with it a new With the birth of people were uneducated and did not challenge or barrier for deaf and hard know how to read or write. The wall of hearing people – another wall that the Internet during of illiteracy was too high for either had to be overcome. horses to leap over or alphabetical the latter part of the The Wall of Illiteracy smoke signals to rise above. For example, let’s look at two of The middle ages saw the last century deaf the oldest telecommunication invention of the printing press technologies — fires and horses. and the development of new and hard of hearing In the beginning, smoke signals telecommunication forms utilizing produced by fires were used to that technology. The invention of people gained a communicate only a few basic ideas, the printing press enabled the mass such as “Danger,” “Come here,” or distribution of printed pamphlets “All is well.” It is said that in ancient in Germany as early as the mid- level playing field China soldiers stationed on the Great 1400’s, and later the development Wall used smoke signals sent from and distribution of newspapers. for world-wide tower to tower to warn of impending The first true newspaper printed in attacks, and that a warning could English was the London Gazette in telecommunications. be sent 300 miles in as little as six 1666. And the first newspaper in hours. But Polybius in ancient Greece America appeared in Boston in 1690 Why? Because it (around 150 BC) developed a complex (Publick Occurences). Newspapers system of alphabetical smoke signals. presented a tremendous advancement This represented a step forward in the in telecommunications, but they were was all text! amount of information that could be again of no benefit to deaf people communicated over long distances. because of the wall of illiteracy. Persia (now Iran) had the first real Samuel Morse constructed the postal system (around 550 BC) using first telegraph line from Baltimore riders on horseback. And China had to Washington, DC in 1844, and postal relay stations as far back as Continued on page 3 TDI WORLD 3
BOARDVIEWS telecommunications technology used unfortunately, other walls sprung up. Continued from page 2 by Americans, it provided a new wall More Walls within 10 years about 23,000 miles for deaf and hard of hearing people. of telegraph wire criss-crossed the The use of the telephone required a When Robert Weitbrecht developed country. This new technology, like person to be able to hear, and that the acoustic coupler in1964 it allowed the horse, expanded the distance over was an impossible wall of silence for deaf and hard of hearing people which people could telecommunicate, deaf people and many hard of hearing with an appropriately modified and increased the speed of delivery to people to climb over. teletypewriter (TTY) to access the where it was in effect instantaneous. After the turn of the century public telephone network for the first The telegraph grew in importance, another technology appeared on the time since the telephone was invented and effectively put the horse and telecommunications scene, namely nearly a century earlier. The coupler rider out of the telecommunications radio. Many people contributed to (otherwise known as the Weitbrecht business (the Pony Express ran from the development of radio, but Tesla modem) basically allowed text to St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, was issued a patent for it in 1900. The be sent over the telephone network. California and ended operations in patent was later awarded to Marconi That was an earth shattering step October, 1861). But the telegraph was in 1904, and then re-awarded to Tesla forward in telecommunications for another technology that relied on a after his death by the US Supreme deaf people. However, it carried with coded form of the alphabet. Thus it Court in 1943. The first licensed it a new challenge, namely obtaining, provided little or no direct benefit to commercial public radio station in modifying and distributing used deaf people as they were not educated the US is commonly thought to be teletypewriters for use by deaf people. at the time. The wall of illiteracy was KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, In effect, a newwall of availability still there! which went on the air in October, was erected. The wall of illiteracy was a total 1920. But radio was another Later, the teletypewriter was replaced barrier to telecommunications by telecommunications technology that by a smaller, lighter, electronic TTY, deaf people until the latter part of the required a person to be able to hear and it was commercially available 19th century, at which time significant to benefit from its use, and so folks to the deaf and hard of hearing numbers of deaf people started with hearing loss were again unable to community. And this increased to become educated. Thomas H. climb over that wall of silence. availability was another step forward Gallaudet had brought Laurent Clerc Shortly after radio emerged on the for accessible telecommunications from France and the American School scene, a new telecommunications for people with hearing loss. But the for the Deaf was opened in Hartford, technology was born. It was a people who considered obtaining Connecticut in 1817. Later, the technology that was destined to a TTY encountered another wall, Columbia Institute for the Deaf (now become the main source of news and namely the wall of affordability. It Gallaudet University) was opened entertainment for most Americans, was not uncommon for a top-of-the- in Washington, DC in 1864. These namely, television. TV was invented line TTY to cost as much as $500, a events signaled the beginning of the by Philo T. Farnsworth in 1924, and price wall that was much too high for destruction of the wall of illiteracy for it added a new dimension to the many folks to climb. deaf people. broadcast industry. In particular, it With the birth of the Internet during The Wall of Silence added video to the audio component the latter part of the last century deaf of radio. It was a gigantic step and hard of hearing people gained Not long after the telegraph became forward for the telecommunications a level playing field for world-wide the dominant telecommunications industry! Yet, with the exception of a telecommunications. Why? Because technology, a new gadget appeared on few pantomime characters portrayed it was all text! And that was also the scene. In particular, Alexander by TV giants like Red Skelton and the situation with the development Graham Bell was issued a patent Jackie Gleason, a person still had to be of two-way alphanumeric pagers for the telephone in 1876, and the able to hear to maximally benefit from and Instant Messaging (IM). first commercial telephone system the technology. The wall of silence Telecommunicating in strictly text was established by Bell in Boston was still there. made everyone equal – until creative in 1877. The telephone eventually But the wall of silence was not to innovators developed the ability to became ubiquitous, being in about remain forever. Just as “education” send video over the Internet and 97 percent of American households. destroyed the wall of illiteracy, “text” And although it was the primary tore apart the wall of silence. But, Continuedonpage40 4 TDI WORLD
Capitol Commentary ‘Tis the Season of Joining and Giving
know everyone is getting excited will be able to make emergency calls about the upcoming 2008 Holiday through a VRS or IP Relay to the most Season. This is a great time for all appropriate 9-1-1 center. of us to celebrate end-of-the year I All of us value very much having festivities with our families and special captions on many of our favorite TV friends. programs. TDI remains vigilant for This is also a good time to reflect on petitions filed with the FCC by video TDI’s achievements for 2008. TDI has program producers that ask for an much to be proud of concerning its exemption from captioning their TV accomplishments as a leading national programs. If there is no evidence that consumer advocacy organization during providing captions would impose an BY CLAUDE STOUT the past year. Some successes were the undue burden based on our analysis of TDI Executive Director result of TDI acting alone, while others their financial resources and length of were achieved in partnership with other operation, we will oppose their requests national organizations and coalitions. and try to ensure that they comply with Here are some results of our work here all applicable captioning regulations. in Washington. Just last week the FCC announced Our After many proceedings between TDI that, as we move from analog to digital and other consumer groups and the TV programs, whatever obligations a accomplishments Federal Communications Commission broadcaster currently has regarding (FCC), our request was officially captioning analog TV programming would not be approved for a real ten-digit telephone the same obligations will apply as they numbering system for our videophones, transition to digital TV networks. There both stand alone units and those are no special exemptions for digital possible without operating with a computer, as well as programming. computers using Internet Protocol Relay In response to the captioning quality your support. I (IP Relay). Although they look like real petition filed four years ago by TDI telephone numbers, the numbers given and other organizations, the FCC has to us in the past by some VRS providers invite you to streamlined the complaint process are proxy numbers, and they will not concerning captioning. There will be connect you to the real telephone consider one two different complaint procedures that network. Instead in the near future, viewers may pursue. each of us may request real ten-digit more way of telephone numbers for our videophones The first procedure is for quick and computers. These numbers will notifications, with the goal of demonstrating the allow us to make direct calls to other expedited resolution, when a consumer videophones and to call voice users notices a problem with the captioning spirit of giving (and via our preferred Video Relay Service and notifies the distributor or (VRS) or IP Relay provider. Our broadcaster while the program is still joining) during this hearing contacts will benefit too, as they airing on TV. The second procedure is will be able to call us by simply dialing similar to the current process where a our real ten-digit number, which will consumer files a written complaint after Holiday Season. then automatically connect them with the fact noting there was a problem our preferred relay provider. An added with captioning. The broadcaster or benefit, and perhaps more important distributor will now be required to than anything else, is the fact that we respond within 90 days instead of 145 Continued on page 6 TDI WORLD 5
Putting the Service back in Relay.
Make relay calls using a web-cam and a high-speed Internet connection. Send and receive visual messages using sign language through a web vrs interface over a computer.
Make relay calls over the Internet. Send and receive text messages ip through a web interface over a computer.
Make relay calls over standard phone lines. Send and receive text and/or voice messages using a TTY and/or tty standard phone. Your world. Delivered. www.attvrs.com www.att.com/relay 6 TDI WORLD
CAPITOlCOMMEnTARy for Accessible Technology (COAT) access for all. We are equally thankful Continuedfrompage4 concerning the benefits of IP real-time for the pro-bono legal services provided days allowed under the old rules. The text technology. With this technology, by Bingham-McCutchen. With their consumer will be able to file the written we would be able to process text support, we submit 75 to 100 filings per complaint with either the distributor or communication that is transmitted year with the FCC and other federal the FCC. character by character on a pager, with agencies. We have actively collaborated In response to one other item on the instant messaging (IM) or with short on many access topics with our sister captioning quality petition filed by message service (SMS) on wireless consumer organizations and coalitions TDI, the FCC is requiring TV stations devices. This would be extremely by, for, and of deaf and hard of hearing and distributors to post contact helpful in event of emergencies where a people, such as Deaf and Hard of information on their website, and on quick answer is crucial. TDI sent letters Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network other promotional and billing materials. to several battery manufacturers to see (DHHCAN), National Association Hopefully this will facilitate consumers if they can extend the life and durability of the Deaf (NAD), Hearing Loss filing access complaints or other of their batteries. We know that Association of America (HLAA), comments directly with them. This is people want to change the batteries less Association of Late-Deafened Adults similar to current practices regarding frequently in their hearing aids, portable (ALDA), American Association of Section 255, which deals with access TVs and other devices. the Deaf-Blind (AADB), American Association of People with Disabilities to telecommunications products and While we have accomplished many (AAPD), and the California Coalition services. The FCC will also post contact things this year, our plate remains full of Agencies Serving Deaf and Hard of information for all broadcasters and for the upcoming 2009 year. We will Hearing (CCASDHH). As the saying distributors on its website. actively support the COAT coalition in goes, “When the tide rises high, all boats meetings with the 111th Outside the Beltway, TDI has provided U.S. Congress rise high together.” and hopefully facilitate the passage training and outreach with our st constituents. This fall we conducting of the 21 Century Communications While we seek to represent you well consumer advocacy trainings sponsored and Video Accessibility Act. Among in Washington, we continue to be by Hamilton Relay in three cities, those a number of items in this proposed challenged to stay “in the black” being Boston, Massachusetts, Madison, legislation is a call for regulations to with our daily operations. While Wisconsin, and Sacramento, California. ensure that we have captioning of we benefit from the second CEPIN At press time, we will have had two commercial videos delivered over the grant, we must depend on sufficient Town Hall meetings this year, one in Internet. We hope to see the FCC levels of advertising, contributions, Clearwater Beach, Florida and one in certify more companies to provide and membership dues for our other Tucson, Arizona. TDI collaborated captioned telephone services. You will programs and services. As with any with HLAA (Hearing Loss Association be extremely pleased with TDI’s newly other business or organization, we of America) to assist the FCC with a revamped website when we unveil it continue to experience cost increases special workshop on the transition to early next year. for rent, printing, supplies, travel, digital television. That workshop was communication support services, and TDI’s Community Emergency others. held in Wilmington, North Carolina, Preparedness Information Network which shut off analog TV broadcasting (CEPIN) is into its fifth year, with Our accomplishments would not on September 8, 2008 in anticipation of funding for two more years from the be possible without your support. I the nationwide shutdown on February U.S. Department of Homeland Security. invite you to consider one more way 17, 2009. With our latest three-year grant we of demonstrating the spirit of giving TDI also assisted Dr. Bob Segalman will be developing online training for (and joining) during this Holiday and other consumer advocates with government officials, first responders, Season. We humbly appreciate your speech disabilities in filing comments and emergency managers to better financial help for TDI with its never- with the FCC asking the Commission understand how they can meet the ending advocacy work in Washington, to approve IP Speech-to-Speech TRS as needs of special needs populations DC! If you are not a member of TDI, reimbursable from the NECA Interstate before, during, and after emergencies. we encourage you to join or to renew TRS Fund. your membership with us. All it will We have five full-time and two part- take is for you to fill out a form, and Throughout the year, we have time staff members working on your pay by check or credit card. Invite your worked with Gallaudet University behalf, and we are deeply grateful for friends. To join TDI as a member and and the Coalition of Organizations their hard work, unique commitment, and unparalleled passion for equal Continued on page 38 TDI WORLD 7 8 TDI WORLD
Accessible Tech The Other Digital Television Transition
mericans are undergoing proposition. So if you have a new many changes in their converter box already, but can no television viewing habits. longer get a picture at all, check your A Technology is changing antenna. the shape of television sets – from big Another new venue for television bulky boxes to flat screens that can broadcasting is over the Internet. The be hung on the wall. Programs are World Wide Web is what most people transmitted increasingly in a digital would call a final frontier. In the format. The digital data stream of early days, many of the regulators and “ones” and “zeros” zooms out at the visionaries alike compared the “World speed of light from the transmitter to Wide Web” with the “Wild Wild West” the receiver. It is so complete, and the BY JAMES HOUSE where government oversight was result lies in a bright clear sharp video TDI World Editor minimal to encourage innovation and that brings out intricate details of the free thinking. While those were good picture. goals, it often meant that access for The most important change is the fact users with disabilities was left behind. that broadcasters across the country To give you an example, the traditional will cease providing analog television telephone network provided reliable programming over the air. The 20 telephone services for more than one percent of American households that With digital hundred years. Toward the end of its do not subscribe to cable, satellite or first century, people with hearing loss any type of pay television service will television, its really began to recognize telecommunications find that their old trusty rabbit-ear as a viable civil right, as we had the television no longer works unless they right to access the same information in an all-or-nothing have digital-to-analog converter box. the same manner and at the same time TDI is one of the major nongovernment as everyone else. But within the laws, proposition. organizations participating in outreach everything pointed to the telephone efforts to educate viewers across the networks because that’s how we country about the converter box and assumed that technology would carry helping people obtain a converter box our conversations. by applying for $40 coupons from the National Telecommunications and Along came the Internet, and a new Information Administration within way of transmitting phone calls. Since the U.S. Department of Commerce. the federal government adopted a So far, we have been in about a dozen hands-off approach on regulating states and written several articles. Yet, Internet based activities, providers the February 17, 2009 deadline is fast were able to minimize their obligations approaching and according to the to provide access. They would like to National Association of Broadcasters, see first if the marketplace would spur nine million homes are still not yet accessibility features on its own. ready! When it comes to making products If you live where over-the-air reception accessible, the historical record does is poor, you may not get a signal at all not look good. However, as we look unless you have a strong antenna. With back, the overall historical trend analog television, the signal degrades points to shorter waiting periods over a distance, but you could still between the time the original product see a picture. However, with digital television, its really an all-or-nothing Continued on page 9 TDI WORLD 9
Continued from page 8 But we have some good news! This ABC – abc.go.com fall, with the new TV season, things When you go was developed and when deaf or are beginning to look up. There by the numbers, hard of hearing people could begin are four major networks offering ABC is by far to benefit from it. A few examples: webisodes (TV episodes shown on the the leader of the The telephone was invented in web): 1876; the TTY modem came into pack. Virtually the market in 1964, 88 years later. PBS – www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline all of their prime The first talking movie, The Jazz time shows are The pioneer Singer, premiered in 1927, snuffing captioned online. This feature continues due to the out silent films as a source of visual to show ABC’s ongoing commitment to influence of entertainment for deaf and hard of captioning for more than thirty years. The Caption hearing moviegoers. Thanks to US Kudos to the ABC network for taking Center at Department of Education grants, the lead in quantity and commitment. WGBH and captioned movies became available 21 the National Center for Accessible Two more things: I find that the captions years later, but it took another 35 years Media, PBS led the efforts in online are optimized and will display on current before captioning became available on captioning. Their popular TV show, versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer television. Captioned television is now Frontline is closed captioned online. and Mozilla’s Firefox browsers. In all cases, seen almost everywhere. During my research, I have not found the captions do not work when watching There is another digital TV transition. other shows on PBS that are captioned videos using the full-screen mode. Several popular network prime-time although they do a great job with TDI urges all of the other television shows have made the jump from making sure DVDs are fully accessible. networks to join this trend. We have the television set in the living room NBC – www.nbc.com/heroes made great strides in making analog TV to a computer with a high-speed accessibility good, but it is dying. We need connection. For years, people’s lives Captioning was to “fast-forward” now and make all digital used to revolve around “appointment not an obvious AND online television programming TV.” feature on this more accessible to every viewer with In the mid-1980’s life went on as channel. This captioning and video description. usual for many deaf and hard of was really a hearing people except for one hour on hit and miss Wednesday nights. For the first time, endeavor as Are You Dynasty, a prime-time soap opera I could not Ready for became accessible to deaf and hard of tell which shows were captioned. I hearing viewers. Because CBS did not saw Heroes was captioned, but not February 17, begin captioning shows until several The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – years after ABC and other networks although the caption button was “alive” 2009? began captioning, the original prime- in both instances. www.DTV2009.gov time soap opera, Dallas, did not FOX – fox.com/bones 1-888-DTV-2009 have the same appeal. That was our “appointment TV” for several years. Their online viewer Now, for the last one or two years, shows a major television networks have caption offered streaming videos on their button, so websites of prime time TV shows. As I knew the capability is there. Not all a result, we can watch TV anytime we programs are captioned and I had to want – anyplace as long as we have a hunt. After several misses, I found high speed Internet connection. As that Bones is captioned. Clearly, there expected, at first none of them were needs to be better labeling. captioned. Captioning online uses different technologies than what we have seen on TV for years. 10 TDI WORLD
10-Digit Telephone Numbers: What, Why, How and Why Now?
BY BRIAN ROSEN, NEUSTAR emergency “9-1-1” services offered through these providers were not ideo and IP relay are capable of automatically providing first tremendous advances responders with the caller’s location from the days of key information in the same manner that V stroking on TTY is available to hearing persons. machines. Unfortunately deaf and Technology advances pioneered by the hard of hearing users of these services Voice over IP (VoIP) carriers made have not had real telephone numbers providing real telephone numbers and instead use a confusing system of Brian Rosen from Neustar to VRS and IP Relay consumers 800 numbers, screen names and proxy possible. Guided by discussions led numbers to give to callers. In no way by the experts in telephone numbers, does the current system approximate workshops, and comments from the way hearing people communicate industry and consumers, the FCC in over a telephone - by simply dialing June, 2008 issued an Order requiring The FCC has ordered a telephone number and having a the assignment of 10-digit telephone conversation. numbers to the deaf and hard of VRS and IP relay By December 31 of this year, however, hearing community. the situation will change dramatically What is a 10-digit telephone number? providers to provide for the better. Deaf and hard of Telephone numbers throughout the hearing consumers will be able to United States are 10 digits, broken into obtain what everyone else can: a real real telephone three components: the “area code” (a 10-digit telephone number to use with three- digit number also known as the their Internet-based relay services. numbers to deaf and “NPA”); the “Exchange” (the middle Because of a recent FCC order, VRS three digits) and the “Line” (the final and IP Relay providers must provide four digits that identify a particular hard of hearing VRS 10-digit numbers to their customers by subscriber’s line). The complete the end of the year. If you use VRS or number, NPA-NXX-YYYY, is unique and IP relay users by IP Relay, this change WILL affect you. within the U.S., Canada, and several Why is this change happening? Caribbean countries. Adding the the end of 2008. “country code”, which for the U.S. is Congress and the FCC recognized “1”, creates a globally unique telephone that the current solution was not number. functionally equivalent and that there were simple solutions that would make The FCC’s 10-digit numbering plan it more functionally equivalent. The for the deaf community requires FCC has ordered VRS and IP relay that you register with a “default” providers to provide real telephone Internet-based TRS provider. This numbers to deaf and hard of hearing is a VRS or IP Relay provider who VRS and IP relay users by the end will handle your calls (incoming and of 2008. While some VRS and IP outgoing) by default. If a hearing Relay providers were starting to offer consumer calls your 10-digit telephone services that looked like real telephone number directly, a relay session will numbers, in reality they were not be established automatically using (“proxy” numbers for example). Also your chosen default provider. If a of great concern to policy makers, Continued on page 12 TDI WORLD 11 12 TDI WORLD
Continued from page 10 deaf or hard of hearing consumer calls your number using their text or video device, they will reach your text or video device directly. And you can finally hand out your 10-digit telephone number to all of your friends, family and anyone else -- hearing, deaf, or hard of hearing. And they can now call you at your number, just like everyone else. How does it all work? When a hearing consumer calls you directly using your 10-digit telephone number, the call will be answered by your default provider. The provider will know, automatically, that it’s a call to you, and they will automatically connect to your video phone or text device. You do not have to explain how to use relay; it’s automatic. Your deaf and hard of hearing friends can call you using their video phone or text device by dialing PublicSafetyAnsweringPointdispatcherrespondstoa9-1-1call.PhotobynationalEmergencynumberingAssociation(nEnA) your 10-digit telephone numbers. you can do that much as you do now, to provide your address. This will be In turn, you can now “dial” a 10-digit connect your device to the alternate used so emergency authorities can number of either a hearing or a deaf/ provider, give them the telephone find you if you ever need to call 9-1- hard of hearing consumer and your number you are calling, and your call 1. One of the major benefits of the default provider will automatically will be connected. 10-digit telephone number plan is connect you. If you call another deaf/ that you get the same enhanced 9-1-1 All deaf and hard of hearing hard of hearing consumer using your service as a VoIP consumer would; consumers will have to register with video phone, the call will be a direct when you call 9-1-1, your call goes in their chosen default provider. If, after VP to VP, using the telephone number the “front door” of your local 9-1-1 you try them out, you are unsatisfied as the address. No more IP addresses call center (PSAP), and your registered with your default provider, you can to gather and type in! address is automatically provided to change to another provider. The the 9-1-1 call taker. Please note that if Of course, 10-digit telephone numbers process is exactly the same as changing you move your VP or text device, you don’t fix the problem of providers a landline telephone number from one need to update your registered address making communication assistants provider to another; you contact the with your current default provider. available when you or your caller new provider, and ask them to “port” However, when you get your 10-digit places a call. The FCC’s 10-digit your 10-digit telephone number. telephone number, you get the same telephone number order provides that Although the time period will vary, 9-1-1 service as everyone else. You the caller has to be able to choose the your new provider will soon be serving dial 9-1-1, your call is routed to the provider on a call-by-call basis. If a your telephone number. While it is right PSAP, your address is supplied hearing consumer wants to call you possible to port your number at any automatically, and the PSAP can call using a provider of her choice, she can time after the new numbering system you back if they need to, using your dial an 800 number of the provider begins, you should give your current 10-digit telephone number. VP and she wishes to use and provide your provider some time to see if they can IP Relay providers are required to give 10-digit telephone number. The meet your expectations before you give priority treatment to 9-1-1 calls. “alternate” provider will be able to up on them and ask another provider connect to you. to port your 10-digit telephone number. Similarly, if you want to call a hearing person using an alternate provider, When you register, you will be asked Continuedonpage14 TDI WORLD 13 14 TDI WORLD
Continued from page 12 10-Digit of the 10-digit numbering system. Do my callers pay long distance (LD) rates to Here’s some more information Numbering call me? about 9-1-1. FAQs Yes, they do, just as they would pay LD If you just call 9-1-1, your default rates to call any other phone in your provider will handle your emergency Do I have to register? home or office. These are real 10-digit numbers. Of course, many callers have call. For the moment, you are better off Yes. The FCC has decided that ALL if you use your default provider. You “all you can eat” plans that won’t incur deaf and hard of hearing consumers LD charges. It’s also possible for your can decide to use another (alternate) who use VRS and IP Relay must caller to call the 800 number of your provider to handle your emergency register, get a 10-digit telephone default provider and give them your call. You can connect to an alternate number and provide an address for 10 digit telephone number to avoid LD provider much as you do now and 9-1-1. The FCC has also ordered charges. ask them to place an emergency call that special “proxy” numbers be discontinued. for you. When you use an alternate Am I locked into the provider from whom I provider, under the current rules, Do I need new equipment? obtained my VP? your registered location may not be No. Your current system can be used. No, any provider can be your default automatically provided to 9-1-1, and Some VPs will have software upgrades provider no matter how you obtained the alternate provider may have to to take advantage of all of the features your VP. ask you for your address to correctly route your call to the right PSAP and By now you are thinking, “Sounds Then it’s yours to keep; forever if you manually provide your location to 9-1-1. great, where can I get my 10-digit want. If you have an existing 10-digit The FCC is aware of this limitation, and telephone number?” You get one from telephone number that you want to improvements to the system are likely the first default provider you choose. use, and it’s not going to be used for soon. They will assign you your number. Continued on page 16 TDI WORLD 15 16 TDI WORLD
Continuedfrompage14 any other service, you can ask your MemorandumfromFCCConcerningTen-Digitnumbering initial default provider to “port” that for Internet-based TRS Services number to the 10-digit system. Please COMPILED BY ELIOT J. GREENWALD, BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN , LLP note however that once the number is ported to the initial default provider, it REPORT AND ORDER All inbound and outbound calls will be routed through the default provider unless the caller can’t be used for anything else. It’s just Ten Digit Numbering. In the TRS Numbering uses a dial around procedure to reach an like any other telephone number; one Order, the FCC concluded that the utilization alternate provider. Internet-based TRS users number, one service at a time. Some of ten-digit North American Numbering Plan may select and register with a new default (“NANP”) numbers will best achieve the goal consumers in rural areas may find that provider at any time and have his or her number of making Internet-based TRS functionally ported to the new provider. existing numbers cannot be ported into equivalent to traditional circuit switched the system. If the number is portable telephony. The FCC ordered that no later Centralized Database. The centralized than December 31, 2008, Internet-based TRS database will be provisioned with Uniform to any other service, then it will be providers stop issuing “proxy” or “alias” numbers Resource Identifiers (“URIs”) as proposed by portable to the VRS and IP Relay and begin assigning NANP numbers to Internet- NeuStar. For Internet Protocol Relay (“IP Relay”), 10-digit number service. based TRS users. the URIs will contain domain names and user names. For Video Relay Service (“VRS”) the Number Acquisition and Assignment. When does all this happen? Some URIs will contain IP addresses. The use of URIs The FCC found that Internet-based TRS users will eliminate the need to query an Internet-based providers are starting to hand out should obtain NANP numbers directly form their TRS user’s default provider before completing 10-digit telephone numbers now. Not Internet-based TRS providers. Internet-based every call. TRS providers could obtain the numbers directly all the features described above are from the North American Numbering Plan Provisioning the Central Database. The available now; specifically not yet Administrator (“NANPA”) if they are certificated FCC declined to adopt the NeuStar proposal available are the ability to have alternate as carriers. Otherwise, the TRS providers that would insert a third party such as a carrier can obtain the numbers through commercial that is an authorized Number Plan Administration providers handle a hearing to deaf/hard arrangements with carriers (“numbering Company (“NPAC”) user into the process of of hearing call, the ability to dial from a partners”) in the same way as voice over Internet provisioning the central database. Instead, deaf/hard of hearing person to another protocol (“VoIP”) providers obtain numbers today. Internet-based default TRS providers will The FCC declined to appoint a neutral third provision the URI information to the central deaf/hard of hearing person directly, party to obtain numbers from NANPA or from database as proposed by the GO/HOVRS/AT&T and the ability to port a number numbering partners for distribution to Internet- coalition. Conversely, the providers must cease from one relay provider to another based TRS providers or users. to acquire information from users who have ported their numbers to new default providers. mechanism. All providers will be Local Number Portability. The FCC In particular, Internet-based TRS providers must registering consumers and handing out expanded the local number portability (“LNP”) ensure that for all customer premises equipment 10-digit numbers by the end of the year. obligations to include Internet-based TRS (“CPE”) that they have issued, that routing and providers as of December 31, 2008. This means other information be delivered only to the user’s All the features described above will be that consumers will be able to port numbers default provider (except in the case of dial available by the end of the year. between Internet-based TRS providers as around calls). well as among Internet-based TRS providers, There are tens of thousands of deaf telecommunications carriers, and interconnected Access to the Central Database. The VoIP providers. TRS providers will not be FCC ruled that, to maintain the security of the and hard of hearing consumers that required to contribute to meet the shared LNP central database, access shall be limited to the need to be registered, given 10-digit costs, because such expense would be covered Internet-based TRS providers and the database telephone numbers, trained on the by the TRS Fund, which receives its money administrator. new procedures, and possibly have from telecommunications carriers. Instead, the contributions to the LNP costs paid by Database Architecture. The neutral third their devices upgraded. It will be quite telecommunications carriers will directly cover party administrator will determine the appropriate some time before ALL deaf and hard the cost of Internet-based TRS LNP. database architecture. of hearing consumers who use VRS or Geographic Numbers. The FCC ruled that Neutral Administrator. The neutral IP Relay have their 10-digit telephone Internet-based TRS users should be assigned administrator must be a non-governmental entity that is impartial and not an affiliate of any numbers. Consumers need to be geographically appropriate NANP numbers, as is the case for hearing users. Internet-based TRS provider. The administrator patient while this process is underway. may not issue a majority of debt to or derive a So, contact your provider now. Ask Registration. Every Internet-based TRS user majority of its revenues from any Internet-based will be able to register with an Internet-based TRS provider. The neutral administrator may not them when you can get your 10 digit TRS provider as its default provider. The provider be subject to undue influence by parties with a telephone number. must provide or port for that user a ten-digit vested interest in the outcome of TRS-related NANP number. Such registration is required to: numbering administration and activities. Brian Rosen is Senior Director at Allow the Internet-based TRS provider to take E911. As of December 31, 2008, each Internet- steps to associate the user’s telephone number based TRS provider must: NeuStar and is the technical lead for the with the user’s IP address for the purpose of central database that has established routing and completion of calls; Prior to the initiation of service, obtain from the the 10-digit numbering system. Rosen user the physical location where service will be Facilitate the provision of 911 service; and provided (“Registered Location”); is also a subject matter expert on 9-1-1 issues as well as a system architect for IP Facilitate the implementation of appropriate network security measures. based communications systems. Continuedonpage17 TDI WORLD 17
Continued from page 16 Internet-based TRS providers must prioritize having received and understood the consumer and answer emergency calls and ensure advisory. This record must be made available to Provide Registered Internet-based TRS users one adequate staffing so that CAs are not required the FCC upon request. or more methods to update the user’s Registered to disconnect non-emergency calls in order to process emergency calls. In addition, the Commission directed the Location, including at least one option where this Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau (“CGB”) can be done by means of the CPE; Consumer Outreach and Education. to issue a consumer advisory to TRS users Not charge users for updating the Registered Internet-based TRS providers must expand upon summarizing the requirements and obligations Location; and the consumer advisory required by the Interim set forth in the TRS Numbering Order and to Emergency Call Handling Order to include disseminate the information through the FCC’s Transmit all 911 and E911 calls, as well as a call the assignment of ten-digit numbers and the Consumer Information Registry. back number, the name of the relay provider, the registration of location information. The advisory Communications Assistant’s (“CA’s”) identification must address: IP Relay Fraud. The FCC acknowledged that number, and the caller’s Registered Location the registration requirements adopted for the to the Public Safety Answering Point (“PSAP”), The process for obtaining ten-digit telephone purpose of number administration and E911 designated statewide default answering point, or numbers; calling should help reduce IP Relay fraud and the need to have a separate registration system for appropriate local emergency authority. The calls The portability of ten-digit telephone numbers; must be routed through the use of Automatic reducing IP Relay fraud is now moot. Number Identification (“ANI”) and, if necessary The process by which users may submit, update Cost Recovery. The FCC ruled that actual pseudo-ANI, via the dedicated Wireline E911 and confirm receipt by the provider of their reasonable costs of complying with the new Network, and the Registered Location must be Registered Location information; and requirements are exogenous costs compensable available from or through the Automatic Location from the TRS Fund. Information (“ALI”) Database. An explanation emphasizing the importance of maintaining accurate, up-to-date Registered Timeline and Benchmarks. The FCC directed In recognition of the competitive market for the Location information with the default provider in the Managing Director of the FCC to establish provision of E911 infrastructure, the FCC declined the event of the need to place an emergency call. benchmarks in the third party administrator to require that all Internet-based TRS providers be Internet-based TRS providers must also keep a contract to ensure compliance with the December required to use a single provider of 911 related 31, 2008 deadline. services or to require that Registered Location record of affirmative acknowledgement by every information be stored in the central database. user assigned a ten-digit telephone number of 18 TDI WORLD
nexTalkCEOToddWakefield “There is all this The Accessible Enterprise talent in the deaf verywhere he went, aging population also motivated NexTalk CEO, Todd Wakefield. “There is all this talent community that is Wakefield, was noticing in the deaf community that is not E curb cuts and ramps, being tapped and it is a problem that Braille numbering on elevators, and hurts individuals and businesses not being tapped and other signs of organizations starting alike.” Wakefield explains. “Better to make themselves more physically telecommunications accessibility and it is a problem that accessible to their customers and accommodation is a key to solving it.” employees with disabilities. “But The other thing Wakefield saw that in modern life telecommunications made no sense was the hurts individuals and accessibility is every bit willingness of business as important as physical and government to businesses alike.” accessibility - maybe accept chronic under- more important,” employment in the deaf explains Wakefield. He community. Convinced started looking into what that organizations these same businesses and government needed new telecommunications agencies were doing to ensure accessibility tools and skills, Wakefield telecommunications accessibility for put on his entrepreneur’s hat and people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. jumped in. He worked with Salt Lake “What I found was they were doing City based NXi Communications, a very little and that was puzzling,” says research and development company Wakefield. “It made no sense that there with a background in accessible was essentially no telecommunications telecommunications. Together they accessibility in these same formed a new company focused on organizations that were so good about equipping organizations to work providing wheelchair ramps.” more effectively with the deaf and The dismal statistics of nearly 60 hard-of-hearing. With a significant percent unemployment for the technological head start, expanded deaf, a shrinking labor pool and an Continued on page 20 TDI WORLD 19
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Continued from page 18 Direct that effectively puts a high-end text phone on every desktop where NexTalk resources, and new marketing and there is personal computer. In the sales expertise, NexTalk was created same way a traditional office voice Direct and launched into the communications telephone system can take calls in Features: marketplace. a central switchboard and transfer, n AcceptandplaceTTYtextcalls forward and conference them, NexTalk Getting Down to Business from any networked PC Direct enables text calls to be handled n Interactive telephone menu The new NexTalk team quickly the same way. It also provides full servicesfortextcallers realized that the challenge it had messaging capabilities for text callers n taken on actually encompassed two including automated attendant, Textcallroutingandforwarding problems that, although related, were interactive voice response (IVR), and n Transfertextcallstoany different from each other in important message delivery options. According individual or department ways. First was accessibility, which to Wakefield, “Soon, we’ll be looking to n Textcallconferencingwithupto Wakefield describes as the problem do all of that with text communications 9 participants simultaneously of enabling deaf and hard-of-hearing that come in from Blackberrys, n Advanced call messaging for individuals on the outside to reach into Sidekicks and other portable devices missedtextcalls an organization and receive the same as well.” The company’s goal is to n Configurable message routing & type of service that hearing individuals ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing notification, including forward to expect when they call the front desk or customers are able to do business with email, pager and third party or other offsite TTY or device the call center. all types of organizations (including their call centers) on an equal footing n Automated information services Most organizations have no way for with hearing customers if they choose. fortextcallers deaf customers to contact them other n National and international than through a relay service. “Relay The second problem the company network calling has been a wonderful advancement,” went after was accommodation n Controls for long distance and Wakefield says, “but it has some real of deaf employees inside of an international calling limitations that get magnified in certain organization. Wakefield’s goal is environments.” He contends that even to put deaf employees on an equal with the best interpreters, comments footing with co-workers in terms of NexTalk are changed or lost in translation. communications flowing throw the Workplace “Many times that’s not a problem,” organization. “This is one of the biggest he says, “but there are times when obstacles for organizations that are Features: it can be a major problem. Picture trying to become truly inclusive,” he n Automated information services a situation where someone is the says. “Putting a video phone in your fortextcallers victim of an identity theft. With the office is better than nothing, but it n National and international complexity of the issues, the detail of certainly doesn’t integrate you into network calling the information and privacy concerns, the organization. A videophone is an n Controls for long distance and given the choice, many deaf individuals island unto itself.” international calling would opt for a direct text-to-text Wakefield describes a common call- n Text,videoandvoicecallrouting conversation.” Wakefield says that and forwarding flow scenario to illustrate the problem. effectiveness and choice are the core Picture a call that comes in through the n Acceptandplacevideoandtext issues. “Hearing customers can have a front desk and is transferred to John’s calls from any PC direct conversation and feel confident office, who is hearing. A few minutes n Interactive telephone menu about privacy and accuracy, and deaf into the conversation, it becomes servicesfortextcallers customers should have the same clear that the person the caller really n Transfertextandcallstoany opportunity,” he argues. “Worse, hard- needs is Jane, who is deaf. The process individual or department of-hearing customers who don’t sign would then require telling the caller to n Text,videoandvoicecall don’t even have the option of using VRS either hang up and try the number of conferencing with up to 9 services, and traditional text relay can Jane’s relay service or wait for Jane to participants simultaneously be terribly slow and clunky.” call back through relay. “No hearing n Advanced call messaging for To address that problem, the company employee would tolerate that situation missedtextcalls has released a product called NexTalk Continued on page 21 TDI WORLD 21
Continued from page 20 Experience Speaks: at work,” says Wakefield. “The caller could just give up on doing business Meet Alana Beal, NexTalk with Jane and the organization entirely.” Vice President of Business NexTalk Workplace is the company’s Development answer to that problem. It enables an organization to take, transfer, conference and manage video and Vice President of Business Development for NexTalk, text calls in tandem with the PBX that Alana Beal, is not only an executive at the company; already handles its voice calls. The she is a deaf user of its products. She explains idea is that a call can come into the that she used some of the older, free “beta test” organization in any form be it voice, versions of the software before NexTalk became video or text and can then easily be a stand-alone company. However, earlier versions moved around. As it moves to different were mostly text-based. “The system has evolved employees in the organization, if a to where it now includes video communications, VRS interpreter or text relay operator which really brings NexTalk to where it should be in the marketplace,” explains Beal, Vice President of is needed anywhere in the chain, the Business Development. “With the current changing system will automatically connect that environment in the telecommunications industry, interpreter into the call. Similarly, if NexTalk enables deaf professionals, like me, to be an interpreter has been on a call but much more effective and independent when it comes is no longer needed because the call is to communicating with colleagues and contacts.” moving to a hearing employee, then the VRS service gets disconnected. Beal has learned from experience that when it comes to functional equivalence there is nothing else like it. “NexTalk really shines in organizational environments Since its products are all software based, because it’s a very flexible solution where you can easily download it on any PC NexTalk only works where there is a and connect as simple as 1, 2, 3.” Beal says, “My job is a lot more fun with NexTalk standard PC. However, according to because everywhere I go to discuss the solution and the company, I am received Wakefield, in organizations today most enthusiastically.” Beal uses NexTalk Workplace often for business communications, desktops will already have a phone and but also notes that a scaled-down personal version is still offered to individual a PC sitting side-by-side. Both NexTalk consumers as a freeware solution but it is restricted for home and personal use. systems run in the background on the PC, with a screen pop-up announcing for larger companies and agencies. hearing telecommunication solutions incoming calls and presenting users Beal notes that the cost of a NexTalk worldwide. To date there are more than with options to take their calls as voice, solution typically is a fraction of what 200 federal, state and local government video or text, depending on their the organization pays for telephone lines agencies using their products including: preferences. They also can set up their and bandwidth. “With NexTalk Direct Bureau of Reclamation, Department of desktops to automatically forward organizations that used to have TTYs Commerce, Department of Defense, voice or text calls, the idea being that find they can get a lot more coverage for Department of Education, Department users can receive calls on their portable less than what they used to spend on the of the Interior, Department of Labor, devices when they are away from their analog phone lines for the older devices,” HUD, IRS, Library of Congress, NIH, desks. The systems are designed to explains Alana Beal, Vice President of NIMA, SEC, Treasury Department and “bolt on” to most existing PBX based Business Development. the USDA. With the further expansion office phone systems, and are offered as of NexTalk and their communications The vision of improving com- a hosted solution for organizations that systems, the deaf and hard-of-hearing munications among organizations, would prefer not to install new server members of the community will be deaf employees and their deaf and hardware and software onsite. empowered as they experience an ease hard-of-hearing customers is no longer in communications. Spreading the Word a wishful possibility, but a reality for NexTalk. The company is now growing Both NexTalk Direct and NexTalk rapidly, continues to expand its list of C.J. Johnson is a freelance writer who Workplace can be installed in smaller worldwide customers and is currently lives in Park City, Utah and is a regular organizations for a few thousand dollars the largest provider of deaf and hard-of- contributor to the Salt Lake and Park a year, and pricing scales from there City magazines. 22 TDI WORLD WASHIngTOn:WHEREACCESSBEgInS 18THBIEnnIAlTDICOnFEREnCE TDI needs your help. It is almost time for people to nominte individuals and companies to be considered to receive the prestigious TDI Awards for 2009. The six awards are: n H. Latham Breunig Humanitarian Award nJames C. Marsters Promotion Award Call for nKaren Peltz Strauss Public Policy Award Nominations nAndrew Saks Engineering Award Coming Up! nRobert H. Weitbrecht Telecommunications Access Award nI. Lee Brody Lifetime Achievement Award. It is also almost time for TDI members who live in the Midwest Region and the Central Region to vote for the person to represent them on the TDI Board. The Midwest Region covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The Central Region covers the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Nominees must be residents of the region that they would represent and be paid-up members of TDI. Forms to nominate possible award recipients and Board candidates will appear in the next issue of TDI World. TDI WORLD 23
Washington: Where Access Begins Join us for the 18th Biennial TDI Conference Renaissance Mayflower Hotel Washington, D.C. July 30 – August 1, 2009
3 Easy Ways to Register!
1. Mail this form to: 2009 TDI Conference 2. Fax this form to: (301) 589-3797 8630 Fenton St., Suite 604 3. Register by Phone: (301) 589-3006 VP/TTY Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 589-3786 Voice Registrant information (one form per person): Name: ______Company/Organization: ______Street Address: ______City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Phone: (____)______(check all that apply): n Video n TTY n CapTel n Voice Fax: (____)______Email address: ______Additional Name(s) for Badge(s): ______Emergency Contact Name: ______Phone: ______
Accommodations (check all that apply): n Assistive Listening n Tactile n Other: ______Sign Language/Voice interpreters and CART will be available at all workshops
2009 TDI Conference Registration Fees: (Includes name tag, program book, admission to workshops and exhibits) Company/Organization Consumer - Non TDI Member* Consumer - TDI Member* 3-Day Registration: $400 = $______$150 = $______$125 = $______1-Day Registration (7/30 & 7/31 only - 8/1 free): $250 = $______$150 = $______$ 75 = $______President’s Reception (July 30): $ 60 = $______$ 60 = $______$ 60 = $______Special Luncheon (July 31): $ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______Awards Luncheon (August 1): $ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______Entertainment Show (August 1): $ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______$ 50 = $______TOTAL: $______TOTAL: $______TOTAL: ______Special Combo Price**: $500 = $______$300 = $______$250 = $______
Consumer - TDI Member Early Bird Combo Price**: (if paid by 6/1/09) $225 = $______**: (if paid by 1/31/09) $200 = $______*In order to qualify for the above “consumer” rates, you must be attending the Conference with your personal funds. “Non TDI Members” are eligible for the discounted “TDI Member” rates if they join TDI, complete the application form on the back of this page, and pay the annual membership fee of $25. ** Includes full 3 day registration and all four special events mentioned above Payment: n By USA check or money order n By credit card, information enclosed below: n American Express n VISA n MasterCard Card No. ______Expiration Date: ______
Print Name of Cardholder: ______
Cardholder’s Signature: ______Date: ______
More information will be posted on www.tdi-online.org as details are finalized. Persons interested in participating on the Conference program are encouraged to contact Conference Program Co-Chairs Joe Duarte ([email protected]) and Fred Weiner ([email protected]). 24 TDI WORLD
Membership Application Form
VOLUME 38, NO. 3 n FALL 2007 WORLD Technology News and Commentary for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing N E T W O R K NI G
Highlights
... from the 17th Biennial TDI Conference P R O G R A M RECOGNITION
ALSO INSIDE: An Introduction to COAT See page 30 TDI WORLD 25
Where Access Begins Washington
Join us
for the18 th Biennial TDI Conference
July 30–August 1, 2009
Renaissance® Mayflower®Hotel 1127ConnecticutAvenuenW,Washington,DistrictofColumbia20036USA Phone:1-202-347-3000•Fax:1-202-776-9182 Sales:1-202-347-3000•Toll-free:1-800-228-7697 Website:http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/wassh-renaissance-mayflower-hotel/
Ask for the special TDI Conference rate ($179 per night plus taxes) when you make your reservations. 26 TDI WORLD
From Napkin to Reality
BY JASON CURRY coffee with a neighbor let alone go to the doctor or talk to an attorney independently. A person who is hard s a man who is deaf, the of hearing finds many conversations greatest problem in my impossible to follow even in small life is simply walking up family settings. And a person with no A to anyone who is hearing speech has great frustration in having and striking up a conversation. That conversation even though he can is the most powerful tool - just being hear. For many years, there was not able to strike up a conversation on the a solution other than having a third Jason Curry spot. Although I party to facilitate use sign language, conversation. the reality is that That many most of the world times is both One of the great does not sign. inconvenient and And I do want expensive. Now difficulties for to communicate with many people in there is a solution! The UbiDuo makes the world. Until now, that has been face-to-face communication possible anyone with extremely difficult. without a third person. That is what is unique about the UbiDuo. One of the great difficulties for anyone with communication barriers - deaf, communication The UbiDuo is a “draw it on a napkin” hard of hearing, or inability to speak story. It was developed by a man who - is having on the spot, simultaneous barriers - deaf, is deaf and his father in response to the communication without needing a third person to facilitate. In general, need for face-to-face communication hard of hearing, or a person who is deaf finds it is not in simultaneous real-time without inability to speak easy to even have a simple cup of Continuedonpage27 - is having on the spot, simultaneous communication without needing a third person to facilitate.
sComm’sUbiDuomakesface-to-faceconversationsapossiblewithoutathirdpartytranslator. TDI WORLD 27
Continued from page 26 between 2 people. This simultaneous room. One in the front of the room real-time communication is a first in as in the case of students. One person a third party to facilitate. Sitting at communication devices for people can be at one end of the table. One at breakfast one morning, David Curry, who are deaf or hard of hearing or the other end in the case of meetings. the father said to his son Jason, who with communication barriers. Two In a work environment, one side of is deaf, “I have an idea for something identical units each with a screen the UbiDuo is placed next to the that would make our communication and a keyboard attach to each other computer of the employee who is deaf. smoother and faster that signing and with a patented hinge technology The other side faces out so that any finger spelling and lip reading.” He making the UbiDuo portable. The co-worker or supervisor can come by drew a sketch on the white board units detach from each other to make and quickly talk about the work. In a in their kitchen and said, “If we had any seating arrangement possible construction site, a worker can merely that setting in the middle of the table, for communication. The units put the UbiDuo on a piece of plywood. things would be a lot easier.” Jason communicate wirelessly. A worker can go into a meeting on responded: “Dad, if I had that, it a moment’s notice. Anyone in the would change my whole life. I could Office employees who are deaf find the meeting can “write” on one side of go any where I wanted without UbiDuo to be life changing in their the UbiDuo for the person who has needing anyone with me.” David said, work environments. As one employer communication barriers. “If you feel that way about it, why don’t said: “We had no idea what all this we get a patent and try to build it.” employee knew until we got a UbiDuo. It is clear that the UbiDuo is a valuable And as they say: the rest is history. Now that we can communicate all device for people who are deaf or who day long, we realize he has so much have hearing loss. It is also valuable The design of the UbiDuo is knowledge. We have promoted him for people who cannot speak. In a entirely new. It is a one-of-a-kind already.” tragic story, the UbiDuo has helped communication device. Using 2 there be a positive ending. A young keyboards and 2 screens, simultaneous Because of the wireless capability, 18-year-old girl was working at a real-time communication is enabled one person can be in the back of the Continued on page 28 28 TDI WORLD
Continuedfrompage27 than waiting for someone to come to definite places where nothing other facilitate the communication. Erica than the UbiDuo will make it possible convenience store during the summer commented that having the UbiDuo for a person who is deaf to have to make money for college. A robber changed everything for her with her adequate phone capability. Those came into the store; slashed her throat; comfort level of being in the hospital. places are: and threw her into the cooler of the store and left her to die. She regained A mother and father in their 80’s 1) Areas where a cell tower does not consciousness and crawled out of the bought a UbiDuo to communicate make pagers/blackberries possible cooler to call 9-1-1. The robber was with their son who is in his 50’s. still in the store. He slashed her throat The members of the family were 2) For people who cannot afford to have a pager or a blackberry and pay the monthly fee A mother and father in their 80’s bought a 3) For people who cannot afford the monthly amount for high speed UbiDuo to communicate with their son who internet which is required for a video phone.
is in his 50’s. The members of the family All of these cases require a landline phone. A landline phone allows phone were able to have long conversations for capability whether there is a cell tower or whether someone is connected to the first time independently with each other the Internet. The UbiDuo is the only device that will protect people who during the holidays. do not have the Internet or a wireless device. That is a serious situation that is starting to develop-- the idea that everyone is automatically online. That again and threw her back in the cooler. able to have long conversations for is totally not true. An entire group of Some people driving up to the store the first time independently with people is being left out and most likely saw the man and called the police. each other during the holidays. The the low-income people. They deserve With the fast work of the police, the communication was meaningful and to have a phone capability that allows young girl lived but all of her vocal dynamic. 21st century phone conversation. The cords were cut. She is using a UbiDuo Ubi4Tel is an alternative for a certain to communicate with the team of sComm is the sole source for the niche of people. doctors she works with and with her UbiDuo. sComm is the developer of family. From the beginning of this the UbiDuo in partnership with the The development of the UbiDuo was tragic ordeal, she has been able to National Institutes of Health/Deafness originally supported by funding from communicate. That story can be seen and Communication Disorders the National Institutes of Health/ on the internet at: http://www.kctv5. Division. The UbiDuo is listed on Deafness and Other Communication com/news/16921083/detail.html. the GSA approved equipment list as: Disorders Division. Currently sComm FS35F0033V and is also an approved is developing other products which Recently a young woman who is deaf Computer Accommodations Program will be unfolding within the next year. was admitted to the hospital ready to (CAP) device. To purchase a UbiDuo, have her first child. As she was placed contact sComm at info@scommonline. Jason Curry is the CEO and President in her hospital room, a nurse brought com or by calling 816 350 7008 (voice) of sComm, Inc. He is a graduate of a UbiDuo in to her room and set it on or 816 350 7001 (Ubi4Tel phone or Central Missouri University with a the tray table. The nurse explained TTY). degree in Business Administration. that the patient would now be able Previously he worked for the General to communicate with anyone who The UbiDuo also has a phone Services Administration as a financial came into the room at any time rather capability. There are some very analyst. TDI WORLD 29
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ife of Andrew InMemoryof... Saks, one of the first pioneers in W telecommunications for deaf and hard of hearing, and one of TDI’s Top 30 Movers and Shakers in Telecommunications and Media Access, Jean Marie Mac Williams Saks died February 15, 2008 in St. Helena, California after a short illness. She would have celebrated her 88th birthday in May. Jean was born May 25, 1920, in Los Angeles California but at a young age the family moved to Great Britain where her father was cinematographer in the movie industry at Pinewood Studios. There she attended Mary Hare JeanwithMaryHare School for the Deaf at Burgess Hill and later was trained in art and fashion area, Andrew and Jean moved to design in London. The family left Bellevue, Washington in 1982 where Great Britain and returned to southern they were active in the local deaf JEAN MARIE MAC WILLIAMS SAKS California a few months before the community. She was a member of the 1920 - 2008 outbreak of World War II. There she Alexander Graham Bell Association’s met Andrew Saks in 1943. They were Oral Deaf Adult Society (ODAS) and married on the 19th of March in 1944, promoted speech among deaf children. and resided in California. Together After Andrew Saks died May 6th they raised two children, Andrea Jean 1989, Jean continued to live in Clyde Saks, and William Andrew Saks. Hill until the spring of 2007 when she moved to St. Helena, California to be Andrew Saks was the grandson of one near her son and her grandchildren of the founding brothers of Saks Fifth Melissa Marie Saks and Andrew Saks. Avenue and later became one the three founders of the first successful deaf Jean was also a founding member telecommunications TTY network. along with her husband of TDI, Businesses that were moving ahead to Telecommunications for the Deaf computers were disposing of surplus and Hard of Hearing, Inc, which was teletypewriters (TTY), which were then called “Teletypewriters for the reconditioned by TDI. These TTYs Deaf”. It was through TDI that old were used with special modems teletypewriters donated by industry to called Phonetypes that Andrew TDI were distributed to the deaf. They manufactured with his co founders all had to be reconditioned and the Dr. Robert Weitbrecht and Dr Jim deaf community did it themselves and Marsters in the early 1960’s. Jean was she often found her garage full of parts the first deaf woman to use the TTY and machinery while everyone else and became a leading advocate of deaf parked their cars outside. She also used telecommunications for her former to hide the paper from the TTY from school mates in Great Britain. She her husband as she didn’t want him along with her husband encouraged to know how much and how long she their daughter, Andrea to set up the talked on the telephone via the TTY. British TTY network. He always found it and teased her that she was a chatter box. After many years involvement with the deaf community in the San Francisco Continued on page 31 TDI WORLD 31
at the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva on the development of international standards for deaf communications and to promote accessibility for other disabilities. Jean also spent many years developing her skills as chef. She enjoyed her kitchen, and her collection of cookbooks and recipes. She was an eager and enjoyable companion among her friends in visiting and critiquing both new and established restaurants in the Seattle-Bellevue area. Jean is survived by her daughter Andrea, her son William, and his children Melissa and Andrew. ThenewMr.andMrs.AndrewSakswith AndrewandJeanSaksintheirlateryears She is fondly remembered by her weddingcake. ex-daughters in law Amy Shearer and Kristin Merrill Saks. Remembrances Continued from page 30 and text messaging telephones. She may be made to TDI and the Alexander continued to support the efforts of Graham Bell Association in her Throughout her life Jean Andrea who had originally assisted her memory. She would want the work maintained an avid interest in deaf father and the other co-founders of the of TDI and the work of her husband telecommunications as it grew and TTY system, to continue as an advisor to continue into the 21st century and developed into the age of computers to the United States State Department beyond.
Andrea Saks Receives World Telecommunication and Information Society Award 2008 Laureate The International their interface with the standardization activity started in Telecommunications hearing world: getting 1991 and has ever since increased Union (ITU) World doctors’ appointments, in scope. Self-funded, she currently Telecommunication and arranging guests’ visits, attends many ITU-T study group and Information Society etc. focus group meetings promoting the Award is presented to inclusion of accessibility functionality Ms. Andrea Saks by ITU Ms. Saks took that in systems being standardized by ITU, Secretary-General Dr role to the next level such as multimedia conferencing, Hamadoun Touré during when she relocated cable, IPTV and NGN. After the the Ceremony of the from the US to the UK recent creation of ITU-D Q20/1 on World Telecommunication in 1972 to promote accessibility matters by WTDC-06, she and Information Society the use of textphones also started attending that group and Day 2008 in Cairo, Egypt. internationally. She was now performs as a bridge between the Andrea Saks able to successfully two sectors on the issue. Her father, Andrew Saks, lobby the British together with James C. Government Post Office Ms. Saks has been a key person in the Marsters and Robert (the then-regulator of creation of all accessibility events in Weitbrecht were pioneers of deaf telecommunications) to allow the first ITU, and currently is the convener of telecommunications using surplus transatlantic textphone conversation the recently formed joint coordination teletypewriters and modems - the in 1975, and to grant a license for activity on accessibility and human precursors of textphones and today’s connection of text telephones on the factors, as well as the coordinator real-time text messaging. She grew regular telephone network. of the Internet Governance Forum’s in a family of two deaf parents and Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and assisted them from an early age as Andrea’s first involvement with ITU Disability. 32 TDI WORLD
TDI In Action April - June 2008 TELECOMMUNICATIONS E-911 system is designed to include users that are deaf or hard ACCESS of hearing. n DHHCANfiledexparte n The Deaf and Hard of Hearing comments with the FCC on the Consumer Advocacy Network topic of Paragraphs 95-96 of (DHHCAN), of which TDI is a the 2007 TRS Cost Recovery n Dr. Roy Miller and Claude Stout member,filedex-partecomments Declaratory Ruling. These two met for lunch with officials from with the Federal Communications paragraphs restrict the ability of Towson University and National Commission (FCC) supporting TRS providers to disseminate Public Radio (NPR). Those American Association of the promotional materials and officials made a presentation on Deaf Blind’s (AADB) position lobbying letters supporting or captioned radio technology later that all Telecommunications opposing an upcoming FCC that afternoon at the DHHCAN Relay Service (TRS) providers decision. A case in point meeting on the Gallaudet be capable of providing relay occurred in the past when a University campus. provider sent out postcards and services in some form for n TDI participated in several Digital callers who are both deaf and emails asking users to write to the FCC in protest of impending TV (DTV) Transition summits and blind. Furthermore, the letter special workshops at the FCC. encouraged the FCC to consider reimbursement rate cuts. Some consumers objected because Jim House gave a presentation a summit focused on the needs of concerning the DTV Transition the deaf-blind population. they had not consented to receive such mailings. TDI and other as well as captioning issues to consumer organizations asked for thirty people from the Virginia an “opt-in” arrangement where AssociationoftheDeafinFairfax, users can choose to receive such Virginia. emails, while some providers prefer “opt-out” systems. n TDI signed on to a petition by Sorenson Video Relay encouraging the FCC to take steps to make broadband more n The efforts of TDI’s E-911 affordable to deaf, hard of hearing n Jim House provided a reporter Stakeholder Council have begun and speech-disabled people by from TV Technology with stories to bear fruit. The U.S. Department allowingthemtouseexistingLow ofconsumerexperiences of Transportation (DOT) is now Income Programs (Lifeline and regarding digital television testing for proof of concept for Link Up) for broadband Internet captioning. He also provided theNextGeneration9-1-1(NG- access service with moneys from information to a Gallaudet student 911) services. The testing sites the Universal Service Fund (USF). concerning issues related to are in Rochester, New York, airline movie accessibility. Seattle, Washington and St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as the MEDIA ACCESS states of Indiana and Montana. POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Among other things, the goals of n TDI, along with National the test include determining the Association of the Deaf (NAD) n TDI presented two awards to U.S. ability of Public Safety Answering and DHHCAN filed comments Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) in Points (PSAPs) to accept voice, opposing the National Association a special ceremony on Capitol data,videoandtextviaInstant of Broadcasters’ (NAB) petition Hill. Dr. Roy Miller presented him Messaging (IM) and Short that argued that the industry did not with the framed painting Colors Messaging Service (SMS), and need to be subjected to additional by Chuck Baird in recognition thus improve 9-1-1 access for reporting requirements. Their of his special contributions to deaf and hard of hearing people. petition seeks action on whether or TV closed captioning. He was TDI drafted and filed comments not the industry needs to disclose one of the fourteen individuals in the FCC’s Wireless E-911 if it has complied with all applicable and companies honored during Location Accuracy Requirements captioning regulations in place the 25th Celebration of Closed proceeding to ensure that the since January, 2006. Continuedonpage34 TDI WORLD 33 34 TDI WORLD
TDI In Action April - June 2008 Continued from page 32
IvanSeidenberg,CEO-VerizonattheConsumer ElectronicsAssociationannualDigitalPatriotsevent. SenatorTomHarkin(D-Iowa)receiveshonorsfromDr.RoyMiller(left)andKarenPeltz-Straussduringthe2005TDIU downtown Washington, DC. Three ConferenceinnewOrleans,lA. individuals were honored with the CEA Digital Patriots awards - Ivan Captioning at the 2005 TDI and Video Accessibility Act, which Seidenberg, CEO - Verizon, U.S. Conference in New Orleans, has been favorably accepted by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Louisiana. Ms. Karen Peltz- industryexceptfortheproposed and U.S. Representative Tom Davis Strauss then presented him with complaint procedures. (R-Virginia). TDI was featured in the inaugural TDI Public Policy the video tribute to Mr. Seidenberg. Award, which was named in honor TRANSPORTATION ACCESS n TDI was represented on AT&T’s of Ms. Peltz-Strauss. The award Advisory Panel on Access and was presented to Senator Harkin Aging (AAPAA) where AT&T n in recognition of his contributions The Air Travel Access Committee shared their best practices to the Americans with Disabilities listserv from the inaugural TDI concerning disability awareness. Act (ADA) and other key Consumer Advocacy Training Members of AAPAA had the telecommunications legislation Seminar is up and running. opportunity to learn about the affecting people with disabilities. Graduates from the November, efforts of COAT and the US The ceremony took place during a 2007 training in Northern Virginia Access Board’s activities in continental breakfast that Senator have made many postings and revamping Section 508 regulations Harkin hosts weekly for his Iowa comments on this listserv. Brenda under the Telecommunications and constituents and other visitors. Kelly-Frey is the spokesperson for Electronic Information Technology the listserv, and she will help carry n Advisory Committee (TEITAC). TDI TDI joined the Coalition of the group’s concerns about airline Organizations for Accessible was also represented on AT&T’s accessibility to the DOT. Technology (COAT) in its Consumer Advisory Panel where comments responding to the n TDI joined DHHCAN and other participants took a tour of AT&T’s FCC’s Notice of Proposed organizations in filing comments futuristic Human Factors Lab at Rulemaking initiating its Third with DOT in response to their its Innovation Center where they Periodic Review of its rules and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking viewed the latest AT&T projects, policies affecting the transition of (NPRM) governing access to suchasthenextgeneration the nation’s broadcast television passenger vessels, such as ferries iPhone. The AT&T Consumer system from analog to digital and cruise ships. Advisory Board (formerly a television. This is the result of Cingular advisory group) has the FCC Consumer Advisory been disbanded and its members Committee recommendation that INDUSTRY COLLABORATION continue to serve on AAPAA. FCC leadership was needed n On May 8, TDI sent out an eNote to resolve closed captioning announcing new services by n TDI attended the Consumer problems related to the transition. several companies. AT&T began Electronics Association’s (CEA) TDI has also been participating in offeringatextonlyplanforits COAT’s activities related to the annual Digital Patriots awards 21st Century Communications event at the JW Marriott Hotel in Continued on page 36 Now available in your Hometown...instantly.
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TDI hard of hearing people day or TDI OUTREACH night. Visual alerting devices have been around for a long time, but In Action recent research has revealed that n Claude Stout gave the keynote vibrating and tactile alarms are speech “Setting the Stage for more effective. Also, Consumer Continuedfrompage34 a Better World of Technology Digest reported that a Japanese (Access)” at Sprint’s Taste of inventor has developed an alarm Technology Conference in Seattle, that emits a horseradish odor. Washington. He also gave a n The e-mail news publication similar presentation at a workshop HOH-LD News by Larry Sivertson during the second bi-annual recognized TDI and Hamilton Eastern Regional Conference Relay in its Hall of Fame for the of the Black Deaf Advocates in second time. This honor was Washington, DC.. for promoting social justice for n The TDI Board of Directors folks with hearing loss who prefer hosted a Town Hall Meeting in oral communications. TDI was popular iPhone. Verizon Wireless Clearwater Beach, Florida. About honored for clearly specifying introduced nationwide messaging 20 people attended and provided in its May 15th eNote that plans. AOL Instant Messaging feedback to the Board on TDI’s TDI would evaluate applicant opened up a new chat room operation and advocacy work. organizations willing to host the for deaf users. Apple’s iTune TDI Consumer Advocacy Training n On June 20, TDI mailed out store added additional search Seminars based on whether another eNote out urging capabilities to its online database or not they had a balanced support for the 21st Century to help users find captioned commitment of services and Communications and Video online movies. resources for individuals who are Accessibility Act and funding either deaf, hard of hearing, late- for captioners and CART writers deafened, or deaf-blind. under a general college funding TDI IN THE NEWS bill. TDI also announced a CEPIN n Jim House assisted Lisa emergency preparedness course Goldstein of i711.com with her to be held in Frederick, Maryland. n Jim House was interviewed by a articlecomparingthevarioustext/ reporter from Consumers Digest. data-only plans offered by the The article was about the best major wireless carriers with that methods of alerting deaf and offered by AT&T with its iPhone.
Roseman Joins Mrs. Roseman will be responsible project and am looking forward for letting the special needs and to making a positive impact in the TDI as CEPIN emergency management communities lives of people within the special Outreach know about the Community needs and the emergency responder Emergency Preparedness Information communities,” Mrs. Roseman said. Coordinator Network’s (CEPIN) self-paced training. “Working to empower people who The Web based training, scheduled for may have been overlooked is very Michele Roseman is the new Outreach Coordinator a Fall 2009 release, is being designed fulfilling to me. I am pleased to for the Community Emergency Preparedness to: increase public awareness about work with the CEPIN/TDI team Information Network (CEPIN) project. Mrs. challenges that people with special and make efforts to provide some Roseman comes to CEPIN from the Congressional needs face during disasters; examine MichellRoseman certainty during the uncertain times Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), where she gaps in emergency plans that serve of disaster.” provided editorial and media support services. the special needs population; and start the dialogue Mrs. Roseman earned her bachelor’s degree from Before joining CBCF, she worked on behalf of the needed to develop mutual understanding and Bucknell University and her master’s degree from U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office respect between the special needs and emergency American University. She has provided outreach for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) to bring management communities. attention about CRCL’s mission within the Arab- services on a Native American Indian Reservation Muslim community. Her efforts resulted in CRCL She is excited about taking on the new position (Flagstaff, AZ) and is conversationally fluent receiving a strong increase in media attention from with the CEPIN Project. “It has been my life goal in Spanish. The native New Yorker resides in Arab-Muslim, national and local news outlets. to help people communicate more effectively with the Washington, DC metropolitan area with her each other. I believe in the mission of the CEPIN husband, Kyle. TDI WORLD 37
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CAPITOlCOMMEnTARy captioned telephone, wireless relay and Continued from page 6 other forms of telecommunication. receive this newsletter, TDI World, Today, all of those are realities, and we please complete the TDI membership now understand better what it takes application form found on page 24 to prepare for emergencies, as well as in this issue, and return to TDI with how to exercise our rights under the payment. In this issue of TDI World, the Americans with Disabilities Act and consumer membership form is on page other laws. 24. If you are already a member, please We thank you for making an extra ask your friends to join us. If you want effort to be our partners in shaping to contribute at this time, please fill out an accessible world. Dr. Roy E. the form below and send it with a check Miller, Board President, the other or credit card information to TDI. seven members of the TDI Board of If you join for a year and pay $25 for Directors, and our seven-member staff a household membership, this comes strongly believe that by advocating to around $2.08 a month. Or, if you for accessible telecommunications, contribute $100, this will average out media and information technology to $8.33 a month. Your return on we are maximizing the opportunities Alone we can do so little; together we investment in TDI continues to be high for every deaf or hard of hearing can do so much. as technology becomes more accessible, individual to experience the best there and a donation to TDI may be the best is in American life. Let our long list of – Helen Keller deal that you have ever made. You accomplishments and clear, forward- continue to enjoy captions on your looking mission be the guide for your University Press, A NEW CIVIL RIGHT favorite TV programs, and rejoice in support to TDI. Telecommunications Equality for Deaf having some meaningful, real-time Again, we invite you to join or renew and Hard of Hearing Americans. TDI conversation with your family members your membership with TDI. We also needs your support because we work for and friends in the way you choose to welcome any amount of contributions you in the nation’s capital. telecommunicate with them. Not too from you. All contributions to TDI of long ago, we were still dreaming of TDI wishes you and your families $500 or more will entitle you to a copy of video relay, Internet Protocol (IP) relay, Happy Holidays and a Karen Peltz Strauss’ book from Gallaudet Prosperous New Year! TDI Contribution Form $25 $50 $100 $200 Other $______Name ______Address ______
____ Sign me up for the free TDI eNotes email news at this address ______If donation is in honor or memory of an individual, please give name, address and any special instructions.
______I want my donation to be anonymous. Mail or fax completed membership application and/or contribution form with payment information to: TDI - 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 604, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803 Video/TTY: 301-589-3006 • FAX: 301-589-3797 • Phone: 301-589-3786 listings @tdi-online.org • www.tdi-online.org TDI WORLD 39
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BOARDVIEWS wall of “optionality” still remains and Web CapTel and VRS we seemingly Continued from page 3 needs to be destroyed. have the ability to telecommunicate with almost anyone, instantaneously, provide VoIP applications (Voice Well, I could go on and on, but anywhere in the world, let us not over the Internet Protocol). And now hopefully the point is made. All forget that with every advance in we are beginning to see a variety of through history there have been technology it seems like there’s always television shows, news broadcasts, a series of improvements in another wall to be climbed or gotten and movies streamed over the telecommunications technology. But around in someway. Internet — but mostly without every step of the way deaf and hard captions. So even though the Internet of hearing people have encountered Please consider joining TDI and lend has tremendously enhanced our one wall or another. Although in your support to our efforts to break ability to telecommunicate, the wall this era of pagers, cell phones, PDAs, through those walls, and help shape an of “no captions” has begun to rear its videophones, laptop computers, accessible world. ugly head. With the passage of Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a whole new sector was added to the telecommunications industry, namely, Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). The use of TRS provided another important step forward for deaf and hard of hearing people. In particular, it provided a technology whereby people with hearing loss could use the phone to contact hearing people (and vice versa). No longer were they relegated to having conversations only with other TTY users. Now they could call and order a pizza or make a doctor’s appointment all by themselves. With the advocacy of TDI and other consumer organizations, traditional TRS grew to include, VCO, HCO, Spanish to Spanish, IP Relay, CapTel Relay, Web CapTel and VRS. But all along the way the wall of “who 7-1-1 in Maryland pays?” had to be dismantled—one 1-800-735-2258 TTY/Hearing Carry-over (HCO) step at a time. For every new 1-800-201-7165 Voice enhancement of TRS the FCC had to 1-888-VCO WORD Voice Carry-over (VCO(VCO 1-888-826-9673)1-888-826-9673) be convinced to reimburse vendors 1-800-785-5630 Speech-to-Speech (STS) for providing that service. 1-877-258-9854 Two-Line VCO And for some, like CapTel Relay, the 1-877-735-5151 ASCII 1-800-877-1264 Spanish decision as to whether or not the 1-800-877-1264 Spanish 1-800-552-7724 TAM customer service service is provided is still left up to the individual states. Thus a hard of ToTo place place aa callcall toto aa 900900 paypay perper callcall number,number, use use 7-1-17-1-1 hearing consumer in one state may desperately need CapTel Relay but not www.mdrelay.org �� [email protected] have it available because the Public Service Commission (PSC) in that state chose not to provide that service – while consumers in the adjoining state have free use of the service. This
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©2008 Sorenson Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Because all VRS calls are sent over an Internet connection, you must keep in mind that using a Sorenson videophone to place an emergency 911 call is subject to certain limitations and risks, particularly in comparison to 911 calls made using a voice telephone. For example, you may not be able to place a 911 call with a Sorenson videophone if an Internet connection failure or a power outage occurs, or if your Broadband or ISP service has been terminated. For a full description of these limitations and risks, please visit Sorenson’s Web site at: http://www.sorenson. com/disclaimer. For more information about the FCC’s requirements for real numbers and 911 emergency calls, go to the FCC’s Consumer Advisory at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/trstendigit.html.