NAD News
This lists all Latest News items from the NAD and its affiliates. It also includes news items from outside groups on topics that are in line with the mission of the NAD. Media queries: please use our Contact form.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Board of Directors announced that after conducting a nationwide search, it has selected Howard A. Rosenblum as its next Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the 50th Biennial NAD Conference, held July 6-10, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) commends ESPN on its decision to caption the live, online coverage of the World Cup soccer tournament and U.S. Open golf this year. We hope that other companies will take notice of the affordable and technologically possible means to bring accessible entertainment to millions of deaf and hard of hearing fans.
“As we conclude preparations for this week’s 50th Biennial NAD Conference which officially opens tomorrow at the Philadelphia Marriott-Downtown hotel, I wish to announce that we now have three instead of four finalists under consideration for the CEO position,” said Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD President. “This afternoon we received formal notification from Charity Reedy Hines that she is unable to continue as one of the four finalists for the NAD CEO position.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has created a visually oriented website to facilitate communication between delegates and their constituents during the 50th Biennial NAD Conference, July 6-10, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This website - "NAD Delegates Vlogs" – is designed to foster constructive and proactive dialogue about the NAD, issues and priority areas of focus, and the future of the NAD.
Best wishes for a wonderful July 4th Independence Day holiday weekend - we forward to an influx of participants at the 50th Biennial NAD Conference with arrivals starting tomorrow!
Not Yet Registered? Register On-Site
Interested persons wishing to register at the last minute for the 50th Biennial NAD Conference can purchase Non-Combo basic registration and optional event tickets at the registration desk. Those who pre-registered can also purchase optional event tickets onsite; click here for details.
Welcome Ceremony Keynoters
Join us for a conference kick off at the Welcome Ceremony, starting at 9:00 am on Wednesday, July 7 with keynote presenters Claudia Gordon and MJ Bienvenu, with video greeting by Marlee Matlin. Register in advance so you don’t miss this!
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.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to report that, yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet voted favorably on H.R. 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. The bill will be considered next by the full Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rates for 2010-2011 for Video Relay Services (VRS) and other relay services. The FCC is also starting a comprehensive review of VRS to ensure that this vital program is effective, efficient, and sustainable in the future.
FCC Rates for VRS and Other Relay Services
The FCC approved the following VRS rates for 2010-2011:
$6.24 Tier I (up to 50,000 minutes per month)
$6.23 Tier II (50,000 – 500,000 minutes per month)
$5.07 Tier III (above 500,000 minutes per month)
Earlier this month, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Board (Access Board) released proposed guidelines for Section 255 (accessible telecommunications products and services) and Section 508 (requirement for federal government accessible electronic and information technology). The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) applauds the Access Board for its efforts to update Section 255 and 508 guidelines. The NAD submitted comments to the Access Board expressing our thanks for their efforts as well as some concerns we have about the proposed guidelines. We hope our comments will help the Access Board to make these new guidelines as strong and effective as possible.
Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) released new federal rules extending Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections to passengers with disabilities aboard ships and boats. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) participated in the development of these groundbreaking rules. For the next 90 days, the DOT is welcoming comments about these new rules. This is your chance to support NAD in our efforts to make passenger vessels accessible.
National Association of the Deaf | 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819