VRSCA

What you can do now:

The VRSCA encourages you to file your comments with the FCC before the May 21 deadline. You can use the sample petition letter below, or write your own letter to the FCC. Time is short. Send your comments to the FCC now. Your support is needed to empower all VRS providers to continue to provide the best services possible to the Deaf community.

• Send an email to the FCC

  Use the suggested letter or write your own.

  * First Name:

  * Last Name:

  * Address:

  * Email:

  * I am a: Select one Deaf Person Hearing Person

  Message: Re: CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 Dear Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker, I am deaf and I use the Video Relay Service using my native American Sign Language (ASL), It is important for you to know that for those of us who are deaf, VRS has become an integral part of our lives in order to be functionally equivalent to those who are hearing. It helps us to be independent and to connect with hearing people such as our doctors, mechanics, bosses, workplace, family, friends, colleagues, and everyone that we need to communicate to exercise our independence. I must admit my dismay when I read the Public Notice from FCC on VRS rates. The immense change in rates will surely put VRS companies in a position which they will have to cut back on quality and quantity of services or put them out of business. It will not be anywhere near what we receive today and what we have today is still far from us being functionally equivalent. It seems to be unreasonable and not well thought out. You must be forward thinking and ensure that we continue to have access to VRS and allow for research and development to continue in order for us to have access to newest and the best technology that can be offered to us. Additionally, the ADA law indicates that all deaf individuals must have access to communication and be functionally equivalent. Half of the deaf and hard-of-hearing population still do not have access to broadband nor many are able to afford broadband. The FCC are not doing enough to ensure that broadband can be more affordable for all of us. It is difficult for us all to sit back and do nothing while we see technology develop and grow all around us and we are unable to benefit from the same kind of technology that our hearing counterparts have access to. This is totally unfair and the burden is up to you to ensure that VRS remains to be the best that they can be in meeting the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing people who use ASL. I urge you to put yourselves in our shoes and think about the impact this would be should communication access for you suddenly becomes minimal. You would not stand for this, not for one minute. Thank you.

  Message: Re: CG Docket Nos. 03-123 and 10-51 Dear Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn, and Baker, Video Relay Service (VRS) is important for deaf individuals so they can communicate to hearing persons in American Sign Language (ASL). As a hearing individual, I know that VRS has become an integral part of the lives of deaf persons in order to be functionally equivalent to those of us who are hearing. It helps them to be independent and to connect with hearing people such as doctors, mechanics, bosses, workplace, family, friends, colleagues, and everyone that they need to communicate to exercise their independence. I must admit my dismay when I read the Public Notice from FCC on VRS rates. The immense change in rates will surely put VRS companies in a position which they will have to cut back on quality and quantity of services or put them out of business. It will not be anywhere near what VRS consumers receive today and what we have today is still far from us being functionally equivalent. It seems to be unreasonable and not well thought out. You must be forward thinking and ensure that the deaf community has access to VRS and allow for research and development to continue in order for them to have access to the newest and best technology that can be offered. Additionally, the ADA law indicates that all deaf individuals must have access to communication and be functionally equivalent. Half of the deaf and hard of hearing population still do not have access to broadband nor many are able to afford broadband. The FCC is not doing enough to ensure that broadband can be more affordable to the deaf community. It is difficult for us all to sit back and do nothing while we see hearing technology develop and and our deaf friends and family members are unable to benefit from the same kind of technology that we have access to. This is totally unfair and the burden is up to you to ensure that VRS remains to be the best that they can be in meeting the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing people who use ASL. I urge you to think about the impact this would be should communication access for you suddenly becomes minimal. You would not stand for this, not for one minute. Thank you.

  * Indicates required field

  I understand that the information I provide will be sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and will be available for viewing by the general public.

  
  

  THANK YOU!

  Thank you for letting the FCC know how you feel about VRS. Your involvement is important and could help the deaf community keep VRS technology. We need everyone who uses VRS, both deaf and hearing, to contact the FCC today. Click below to spread the word to your friends and family.

  SEND TO A FRIEND

  Tell your friends to take action. Fill out the form below to have an email sent to them explaining what is happening with VRS and how they can help.

  Send an Email to a Friend »

• Forward this information to a friend

  Click here to help spread the word and forward to a friend. Simply type a short message and send them a link to this Web page.

• Go to the FCC website

  To submit comments on the FCC website, follow these steps:

  Step 1.
  Go to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/begin?procName=03-123&filedFrom=X

  Step 2.
  Complete the form with your personal information (all fields with an asterisk are required).

  Step 3.
  Enter your comments. (You can type them in Word first and then cut and paste the comment.)

  Step 4.
  Select the "Continue" button.

  Step 5.
  You will be presented with a confirmation page to review your comment before submitting comment. Select the "Confirm" button and your comment will be submitted.

  Some things you may want to consider including are:

  The rates for VRS proposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its April 30 Public Notice could put some VRS in jeopardy because:

  • The rates are so low that it could minimize VRS service as we know it today. No provider would seek to provide VRS at the low rates proposed by the FCC.
  • A better option would be a multi-year VRS rate, which would allow VRS providers to continue to invest in their offerings for the deaf.
  • VRS and the improvements made to it over the years have moved us closer to the goal of "function equivalence" mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The FCC rate proposal would destroy that progress and move us further from achieving the goals of the ADA.
  • Some providers could minimize offering their service or close their doors, leaving their deaf customers without the vital VRS service they have come to expect.