National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) applauds the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for taking action on a number of issues that the NAD has been working on. 

The NAD, with other advocacy groups, petitioned the FCC to improve the closed captioning rules.  The FCC accepted the petition and will start the rulemaking process for better quality and enforcement of closed captioning. 

The FCC also announced, for the first time, mandatory speed of answer requirements for Video Relay Services (VRS); that VRS is to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7); that ASL-Spanish Translation VRS is eligible for compensation; and VRS providers can be compensated for providing VRS Mail.  In addition, the NAD commends the FCC clarification that two-line captioned telephone service is eligible for compensation from the interstate Telecommunications Relay Services fund.

“The NAD is thrilled to see this positive outcome on issues are important to deaf and hard of hearing Americans,” said Kelby Brick, Director of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center.  “This success would not have been possible if not for the hard work of NAD members and the collaboration of NAD with other key organizations and leaders.”

Continued Brick, “The NAD applauds FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and the other Commissioners for their leadership and commitment to making the nations’ communication network accessible to all Americans.”

NAD has been working to make VRS a functional equivalent service by asking the FCC to making VRS a mandated service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and be immediately available to callers, ensuring funds for research and development for VRS, and ensuring qualified interpreters for VRS. The NAD posted its goals on the Advocacy Issues section of the NAD website at: http://www.nad.org/vrs.  For information on NAD action to improve the quality of relay services, please go to http://www.nad.org/relay. Interested individuals can also see the NAD’s goals and FCC petitions on Captioning at www.nad.org/captioning.

Despite these groundbreaking rules, Brick said, “The NAD will continue to work with the FCC to take steps to enforce existing rules against blocking so everyone can use any VRS provider without interference.  In addition, the NAD will encourage the FCC to consider faster speed of answer in future rules.”

The NAD urges consumers to take a moment to thank the FCC for adopting VRS rules that will significantly improve VRS service at:
http://www.nad.org/thankfccjuly05