National Association of the Deaf

Submitted by admin on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 15:36

On June 30, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet considered the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act" (H.R. 3101).  Rick Boucher (D-VA), chairman of the Subcommittee, offered an "Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute" (a new H.R. 3101) which replaced the original bill. The new H.R. 3101 is missing an important provision - funding for specialized communications equipment needed by people who are deaf-blind, such as refreshable Braille devices.

Deaf-blind people cannot afford to buy expensive equipment to help them access the phone and Internet.  For example, the Deaf-Blind Communicator, which enables deaf-blind people to make telephone calls, access the Internet and communicate with other people who otherwise could not communicate with them, costs $8,000 alone.  Although a few states have equipment distribution programs, most do not distribute equipment that meets the needs of people who are deaf-blind.  A secure and consistent source of funding is needed to assure that the communication needs of this small, discrete, and un-served population are met.  This community does not have the political presence to ensure annual appropriations from Congress.  Possible funding sources, for up to $10 million per year, include the Universal Service Fund and the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund.  These funds were created to ensure that all Americans have access to the nation's communications network.

The Subcommittee voted favorably on the new H.R. 3101.  The bill will be considered next by the full Committee on Energy and Commerce.

By restoring Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101, you will ensure that approximately 70,000 deaf-blind people get the specialized equipment needed for them to have telecommunications services, Internet access, and advanced communications.

Restore Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101 -  Ensure Access to 21st Century Communications by People who are Deaf-Blind

Do Not Leave People who are Deaf-Blind Behind

Take Action Now - Support your friends, family, and colleagues who are deaf-blind.

Contact House Energy and Commerce Committee members and tell them you want Section 105(b) back in H.R. 3101.  (See list below.)

Here's what you can do:

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

2. If any of these committee members live in your district, please call them and make appointments with them in person to talk about H.R. 3101.  Ask to talk to their legislative assistants in charge of telecommunications.  You can find their addresses on www.house.gov.

Call them today! Or deaf-blind people will be further, further and further behind!

House Energy and Commerce Committee
(in alphabetical order by State)

Parker Griffith (R-AL-5)
202-225-4801 Voice
202-225-4392 Fax
Huntsville-Decatur (81)

Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-14)
202-225-8104 Voice
202-225-8890 Fax
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (6) & Monterey-Salinas (124)

George Radanovich (R-CA-19)
202-225-4540 Voice
202-225-3402
Fresno-Visalia (55)

Henry Waxman, Chair (D-CA-30)
202-225-3976 Voice
202-225-4099 Fax
Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood,
West Hollywood, Westlake Village

Mary Bono Mack (R-CA-45)
202-225-5330 Voice
202-225-2961 Fax
Los Angeles (2) & Palm Springs (142)

Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT-5)
202-225-4476
No fax available
Hartford-New Haven (30) & New York (1)

Cliff Stearns (R-FL-6)
202-225-5744 Voice
202-225-3973 Fax
Jacksonville (47) & Gainesville (160) & Orlando (19)

John Shimkus (R-IL-19)
202-225-5271 Voice
202-225-5880 Fax
Champaign-Springfield-Decatur (84) & St. Louis (21) & Terre Haute (152) &
Cape Girardeau (78) & Evansville (102)

Baron P. Hill (D-IN-9)
202-225-5315 Voice
202-225-6866 Fax
Evansville (102) & Indianapolis (25) & Cincinnati (33) & Louisville (49)

Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3)
202-225-4031 Voice
202-225-3354 Fax
Lafayette (123) & New Orleans (51) & Baton Rouge (95)

Bart Stupak (D-MI-1)
202-225 4735 Voice
202-225-4744 Fax
Duluth-Superior (139) & Marquette (180) & Green Bay (70) & Traverse
City-Cadillac (117) & Alpena (208)

Fred Upton (R-MI-6)
202-225-3761 Voice
202-225-4986 Fax
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo (41) & South Bend-Elkart (91)

Mike Rogers (R-MI-8)
202-225-4872 Voice
202-225-5820 Fax
Flint-Saginaw-Bay City (68) & Detroit (11) & Lansing (115)

Roy Blunt, Deputy Ranking Member (R-MO-7)
202-225-6536 Voice
202-225-5604 Fax
Joplin-Pittsburgh (147) & Springfield (74)

Lee Terry (R-NE-2)
202-225-4155 Voice
202-225-5452 Fax
Omaha (76)

G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1)
202-225-3101 Voice
202-225-3354 Fax
Greenville-New Bern (103) & Raleigh (26) & Norfolk-Newport News (43)

Robert E. Latta (R-OH-5)
202-225-6405 Voice
Columbus (34) & Toledo (73) & Cleveland (18) & Dayton (65)

Zachary T. Space (D-OH-18)
202-225-6265 Voice
202-225-3394 Fax
Columbus (34) & Cleveland-Akron (18) & Wheeling-Steubenville (159) &
Charleston-Huntington (63)

Bart Gordon (D-TN-6)
202-225-4231 Voice
202-225-6687 Fax
Nashville (29)

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7)
202-225-2811 Voice
202-225-3002 Fax
Memphis (50) & Jackson (173) & Nashville (29)

Joe Barton, Ranking Member (R-TX-6)
202-225-2002 Voice
202-225-3052
Houston (10) & Dallas-Fort Worth (5) & Waco (89) & Tyler-Longview (109)

Rick Boucher (D-VA-9)
202-225-3861 Voice
202-225-0442 Fax
Tri-Cities (93) & Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill (156) & Roanoke-Lynchburg (67)
& Greensboro (46)

Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)
202-225-4115 Voice
202-225-
Burlington-Plattsburg (94) & Boston (6) & Albany Schenectady (57)