{"id":11115,"date":"2010-07-12T09:33:11","date_gmt":"2010-07-12T14:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=11115"},"modified":"2010-07-12T20:18:30","modified_gmt":"2010-07-13T01:18:30","slug":"h-r-3101-takes-a-step-forward-but-leaves-behind-people-who-are-deaf-blind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/07\/12\/h-r-3101-takes-a-step-forward-but-leaves-behind-people-who-are-deaf-blind\/","title":{"rendered":"H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward, But Leaves Behind People who are Deaf-Blind"},"content":{"rendered":"

H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward, But Leaves Behind People who are Deaf-Blind<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other Access Issues Progress of the Bill Universal Service
\nJuly 2, 2010: COAT Action Alert! Sample Message:”Restore Section 105(b) to
\nH.R. 3101 \u2013 Access to 21st Century Communications by People who are
\nDeaf-Blind.”<\/p>\n

Background: On June 30, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee
\non Communications, Technology, and the Internet considered the \u201cTwenty-first
\nCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act\u201d (H.R. 3101). Rep. Rick
\nBoucher (D-VA), chairman of the Subcommittee, offered an \u201cAmendment in the
\nNature of a Substitute\u201d (a new H.R. 3101) which replaced the original bill.<\/p>\n

The new H.R. 3101 is missing an important provision as a result of the
\nmarkup substitute bill. This is the provision for funding for specialized
\ncommunications equipment needed by people who are deaf-blind, such as
\nrefreshable Braille devices. That funding authority, up to $10 million per
\nyear, was not included in the new H.R. 3101. The Subcommittee voted
\nfavorably on the new H.R. 3101. However, the bill will be considered next by
\nthe full Committee on Energy and Commerce so there is a still a chance to
\nrestore this provision.Possible funding sources, for up to $10 million per
\nyear, include the Universal Service Fund and the Interstate
\nTelecommunications Relay Service Fund. These funds were created to ensure
\nthat all Americans have access to the nation\u2019s communications network.<\/p>\n

Deaf-blind people cannot afford to buy expensive equipment to help them
\naccess the phone and Internet. For example, the Deaf-Blind Communicator,
\nwhich enables deaf-blind people to make telephone calls, access the Internet
\nand communicate with other people who otherwise could not communicate with
\nthem, costs $8,000 alone.<\/p>\n

Although a few states have equipment distribution programs, most do not
\ndistribute equipment that meets the needs of people who are deaf-blind. A
\nsecure and consistent source of funding is needed to assure that the
\ncommunication needs of this small, discrete, and unserved population are
\nmet. This community does not have the political presence to ensure annual
\nappropriations from Congress.<\/p>\n

By restoring Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101, approximately 70,000 deaf-blind
\npeople get the specialized equipment needed for them to have
\ntelecommunications services, Internet access, and advanced communications.<\/p>\n

Let’s Not Leave People who are Deaf-Blind Behind!Support your friends,
\nfamily, and colleagues who are deaf-blind.<\/p>\n

Action Steps:<\/p>\n

Contact House Energy and Commerce Committee members and tell them “I want
\nSection 105(b) back in H.R. 3101.” Copy and paste as much of the background
\ninformation above as you like. Contact information is list below. Here\u2019s
\nwhat you can do:<\/p>\n

1. Call or fax the members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee now
\nand ask them to put back Section 105(b) in H.R. 3101.<\/p>\n

2. If any of these committee members live in your district, please call them
\nand make appointments with them in person to talk about H.R. 3101. Ask to
\ntalk to their legislative assistants in charge of telecommunications. You
\ncan find their addresses on www.house.gov. Note: this Action Alert is also
\nattached below as a Word document if you want to download and print and
\nshare!<\/p>\n

Call them today! Or deaf-blind people will be left further and further
\nbehind! House Energy and Commerce Committee (in alphabetical order by State)
\nParker Griffith (R-AL-5), Tel 202-225-4801; Fax 202-225-4392;
\nHuntsville-Decatur (81).<\/p>\n

Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-14), Tel 202-225-8104; Fax 202-225-8890; San
\nFrancisco-Oakland-San Jose (6) & Monterey-Salinas (124).<\/p>\n

George Radanovich (R-CA-19) Tel 202-225-4540 Voice; Fax 202-225-3402;
\nFresno-Visalia (55).<\/p>\n

Henry Waxman, Chair (D-CA-30); Tel 202-225-3976; Fax 202-225-4099; Agoura
\nHills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, West
\nHollywood, Westlake Village.<\/p>\n

Mary Bono Mack (R-CA-45); Tel 202-225-5330 Voice; Fax 202-225-2961; Los
\nAngeles (2) & Palm Springs (142).<\/p>\n

Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT-5); Tel 202-225-4476. No fax available.
\nHartford-New Haven (30) & New York (1).<\/p>\n

Cliff Stearns (R-FL-6); Tel 202-225-5744; Fax 202-225-3973; Jacksonville
\n(47) & Gainesville (160) & Orlando (19).<\/p>\n

John Shimkus (R-IL-19); Tel 202-225-5271; Fax 202-225-5880;
\nChampaign-Springfield-Decatur (84) & St. Louis (21) & Terre Haute (152) &
\nCape Girardeau (78) & Evansville (102).<\/p>\n

Baron P. Hill (D-IN-9); Tel 202-225-5315 Voice; Fax 202-225-6866; Evansville
\n(102) & Indianapolis (25) & Cincinnati (33) & Louisville (49).<\/p>\n

Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3); Tel 202-225-4031; Fax 202-225-3354; Lafayette
\n(123) & New Orleans (51) & Baton Rouge (95).<\/p>\n

Bart Stupak (D-MI-1); Tel 202-225 4735; Fax 202-225-4744; Duluth-Superior
\n(139) & Marquette (180) & Green Bay (70) & Traverse City-Cadillac (117) &
\nAlpena (208).<\/p>\n

Fred Upton (R-MI-6); Tel 202-225-3761; Fax 202-225-4986; Grand
\nRapids-Kalamazoo (41) & South Bend-Elkart (91).<\/p>\n

Mike Rogers (R-MI-8); Tel 202-225-4872; Fax 202-225-5820; Flint-Saginaw-Bay
\nCity (68) & Detroit (11) & Lansing (115).<\/p>\n

Roy Blunt, Deputy Ranking Member (R-MO-7); Tel 202-225-6536; Fax
\n202-225-5604; Joplin-Pittsburgh (147) & Springfield (74).<\/p>\n

Lee Terry (R-NE-2); Tel 202-225-4155;Fax 202-225-5452; Omaha (76).<\/p>\n

G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1);Tel 202-225-3101; Fax 202-225-3354;
\nGreenville-New Bern (103) & Raleigh (26) & Norfolk-Newport News (43).<\/p>\n

Robert E. Latta (R-OH-5); Tel 202-225-6405; no fax available yet; Columbus
\n(34) & Toledo (73) & Cleveland (18) & Dayton (65).<\/p>\n

Zachary T. Space (D-OH-18); Tel 202-225-6265; Fax 202-225-3394; Columbus
\n(34) & Cleveland-Akron (18) & Wheeling-Steubenville (159) &
\nCharleston-Huntington (63).<\/p>\n

Bart Gordon (D-TN-6); Tel 202-225-4231; Fax 202-225-6687; Nashville (29).<\/p>\n

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7); Tel 202-225-2811; Fax 202-225-3002; Memphis (50)
\n& Jackson (173) & Nashville (29).<\/p>\n

Joe Barton, Ranking Member (R-TX-6); Tel 202-225-2002; Fax 202-225-3052;
\nHouston (10) & Dallas-Fort Worth (5) & Waco (89) & Tyler-Longview (109).<\/p>\n

Rick Boucher (D-VA-9); Tel 202-225-3861; Fax 202-225-0442; Tri-Cities (93) &
\nBluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill (156) & Roanoke-Lynchburg (67) & Greensboro (46).<\/p>\n

Peter Welch (D-VT-AL); Tel 202-225-4115 Voice; Fax 202-225-0442;
\nBurlington-Plattsburg (94) & Boston (6) & Albany Schenectady (57).<\/p>\n

How can they leave out deaf-blind people? Contact the commitee today!<\/p>\n

END<\/p>\n

Source:
\n http:\/\/www.coataccess.org\/node\/9673 <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward, But Leaves Behind People who are Deaf-Blind Other Access Issues Progress of the Bill Universal Service July 2, 2010: COAT Action Alert! Sample Message:”Restore Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101 \u2013 Access to 21st Century…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[5548,5553,2244,1180,24,68,5550,1222,5554,5551,5549,5552],"class_list":["post-11115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-access-to-21st-century-communications","tag-action-alert","tag-braille","tag-coat","tag-deaf","tag-deaf-blind","tag-deaf-blind-communicator","tag-h-r-3101","tag-house-energy-and-commerce-committee","tag-interstate-telecommunications-relay-service-fund","tag-u-s-house-of-representatives","tag-universal-service-fund"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-2Th","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11207,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/07\/26\/h-r-3101-goes-to-house-floor-for-vote\/","url_meta":{"origin":11115,"position":0},"title":"H.R. 3101 Goes To House Floor for Vote","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"July 26, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"H.R. 3101 Goes To House Floor for Vote U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Gives Nod to the\u00a021st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 TDI is pleased to announce that the Energy and Commerce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the \"Twenty-First Century\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11120,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/07\/13\/coat-bill-h-r-3101-deaf-blind-petition\/","url_meta":{"origin":11115,"position":1},"title":"COAT Bill, H.R. 3101 Deaf-Blind Petition","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"July 13, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"COAT Bill, H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward, But Leaves Behind People who are Deaf-Blind Petition Online http:\/\/www.petition2congress.com\/2\/3378\/ In addition to all the action steps you can take to support the Deaf-Blind community regarding the COAT bill H.R. 3101 (you can see recent announcement) Also sign an online petition at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11259,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/07\/31\/act-now-urge-the-u-s-senate-to-adopt-h-r-3101\/","url_meta":{"origin":11115,"position":2},"title":"Act Now! 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