The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Staff has Threatened Drastic Cuts in VRS
If the drastic cutbacks suggested by the FCC staff are adopted, fewer deaf people will have access to VRS.
To learn more about the issues:
* Watch the ASL videos below
* ACT NOW! Send your comments to the FCC
* Forward this information to a Friend
Go to http://www.vrsca.org/vrsrate.php
The potential cutbacks are so severe some providers might choose to stop providing VRS service and others could drastically cut back their service.
The drastic rate reductions would create:
* Cutbacks in outreach programs designed to make VRS available to more deaf individuals
* Cutbacks in interpreter training programs
* Cutbacks in service and technology improvements or enhancements, such as the development of new videophone equipment
* Cutbacks in the willingness of VRS providers to enroll new customers and install videophone equipment
The VRS rate must be set to encourage VRS providers:
* To offer VRS service to the more than 90% of deaf people who currently lack VRS
* To train more interpreters so that there will be an adequate number of qualified interpreters for VRS and the local Deaf communities
The FCC is asking for comments from the Deaf community, which must be sent by June 2007.
Or Write a Letter to the FCC.
You can write your own message or just copy and paste the text below—insert your own name:
RE: CG Docket No. 03-123
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
445 Twelfth Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Martin, Commissioners Adelstein, Copps, McDowell, and Tate:
I am a deaf person and I use Video Relay Service (VRS) to communicate. I was appalled to learn that the FCC staff is intent on drastically cutting the VRS rate, and effectively cutting VRS availability for the deaf. Instead of seeking to limit the number of deaf people with VRS access, the FCC should do everything in its power to make VRS available to more deaf people.
I, along with other Deaf individuals, use these services in both my work and personal life. It is an important way in which I/we communicate with both hearing and deaf individuals. I urge you to do everything you can to make VRS service available to the many deaf people who currently do not have access to this vital, life-changing service.
The VRS rate should encourage the VRS providers to:
Serve more deaf people, not discourage them from reaching out to more deaf people
Provide interpreter training programs so that there will be an adequate number of qualified interpreters for VRS and the local Deaf communities
Provide service and technology improvements, such as the development of new videophone equipment, fulfilling the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate of functionally equivalent telecommunications services
I, along with other deaf individuals, their families and coworkers, depend on VRS and other relay services.
Please stop any VRS program cuts and fulfill the mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide deaf people with functionally equivalent telecommunications services.
Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name Here]
Full details can be found at this link:
http://www.vrsca.org/vrsrate.php
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