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.
Early Bird I Conference Registration Deadline
The 50th Biennial NAD Conference in Philadelphia will be here before you know it!
Take advantage of Early Bird I Combo Registration savings – the deadline is this Sunday, January 31, 2010. You can register online or download the PDF registration form at www.nad.org/philly/register.
FCC Actions Block Consumer VRS Calls
The NAD learned that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not paid Video Relay Service (VRS) providers for certain types of VRS calls since July 2009. As a result, some VRS providers are not connecting or may stop connecting some VRS calls. This is not functionally equivalent to the communication access that hearing telephone users enjoy. We urged the FCC to start a rulemaking process to promote transparency and ensure stakeholder input, before the FCC takes any action which may limit or restrict VRS calls.
Participate in Federal Listening Sessions on Disability Employment
The federal government is hosting “Listening Sessions” about increasing employment of people with disabilities. The federal government wants: (1) to know about better ways to increase employment of people with disabilities who are women, veterans, and minorities; (2) to identify federal and state programs that work together well to increase employment of people with disabilities; and (3) to know the three most important things the federal government should support to increase employment for people with disabilities.
NAD Urges Support for Haiti Relief Efforts
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is deeply saddened by disaster resulting from the recent earthquake in Haiti. The thoughts and prayers of our board, staff, membership and community go out to those affected by this tragedy.
The magnitude of suffering has prompted inquiries from concerned deaf and hard of hearing people asking how they can provide aid to deaf and hard of hearing people in Haiti and advocate on their behalf. The NAD urges these prospective donors to give support to aid organizations.
One Step Closer to Going to the Movies
On January 13, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard arguments in the Arizona disability discrimination case against Harkins movie theaters. The judges seemed inclined to decide that the display of captions and transmission of audio description services is required by the Arizona state law against disability discrimination and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The judges also seemed to think it was the right thing to do. One judge told the movie theaters’ lawyer, “You can . . . be the good guys, or you can be dragged kicking and screaming and look like jerks.”
NAD Announces CEO Profile and Deadline
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) calls for candidates for a visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will lead broad advocacy efforts covering the breadth of a lifetime and impacting future generations in areas such as early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, and youth leadership.
NAD Stands Strong on VRS Reform
On December 17, 2009, the NAD participated in a workshop hosted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discuss possible reform of Video Relay Services (VRS). The NAD took strong positions on several issues: achieving functional equivalency; fostering innovation; ensuring high quality and reliable services; requiring certification of VRS providers; operating VRS as a competitive service; conducting outreach, education, and marketing; needing transparency in the rate setting process; addressing the issue of VRS equipment; and pursuing enforcement actions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.
Call for Workshop and Commission Presentations
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is seeking proposals for exciting, informative and forward-looking education, training and public policy presentations at the 50th Biennial NAD Conference to be held at the Philadelphia Marriott-Downtown hotel, July 6-10, 2010 in Philadelphia, PA. The conference theme is “Celebrate Our Heritage. Invest in Our Future."
Conference Attendees
Call to the 50th Biennial NAD Conference
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, president of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), issued a Call to the Conference for the 50th Biennial NAD Conference which will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott - Downtown, July 6-10, 2010 in the heart of America's original capital, surrounded by rich revolutionary history and culture and located within eight blocks of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and many restaurants and stores.
NAD Urges FCC and Industry to Protect VRS
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) recently learned that individuals across the United States were arrested for conspiring to defraud the Video Relay Service (VRS) program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The NAD is disappointed by these serious and significant allegations. VRS is a critical service that gives deaf and hard of hearing people the ability to communicate in American Sign Language with hearing people over the telephone network.
Comments
National Association of the Deaf | 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819
Powered by DeafVision, designed by Brilliant Echo