On Friday, September 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host a workshop about 10-digit numbers and access to 9-1-1 emergency services for Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay) and Video Relay Service (VRS) users. The NAD will take part in this workshop. We need you to participate with us. Participating is easy. Here’s how.
BACKGROUND
The NAD advocated for real 10-digit telephone numbers for IP Relay and VRS users. With 10-digit numbers, people who use telephones can dial the IP Relay or VRS user’s number and be connected automatically to the appropriate relay service to reach the deaf or hard of hearing person. In addition, the NAD advocated for improved access to 9-1-1 emergency services for IP Relay and VRS users. Today, 10-digit numbers and enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) emergency services are available to IP Relay and VRS users.
After November 12, 2009, IP Relay and VRS users must be registered with a relay service provider and have a 10-digit number to place a non-emergency call.
Today, there are VRS and IP Relay users who have not registered with a relay service provider, do not have a 10-digit number, and do not have E9-1-1 emergency services. The FCC wants to identify effective ways to get these VRS and IP Relay users to take action before the November 12 deadline. The FCC also wants to identify and discuss how to resolve any problems with 10-digit numbering and E9-1-1 emergency services.
ABOUT THE FCC WORKSHOP
The workshop will be held at the FCC in Washington, DC, on Friday, September 25, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The workshop will be open to the general public. Open captioning and sign language interpreters will be provided.
A live webcast of the workshop will be available here. People may also participate in the workshop by conference call by dialing 1-866-566-7390 and entering Code: 4732812. Questions may be submitted by e-mail to tendigitnumbering@fcc.gov.
For more information about the workshop, click here.
PARTICIPATE WITH NAD IN THE WORKSHOP
We need your help to identify successful ways to encourage people to get 10-digit numbers. We need to identify problems with 10-digit numbers and E9-1-1 emergency services. You can help by answering these questions:
1. Do you have a 10-digit number for IP Relay and/or VRS?
* YES – tell us what you saw or read that helped you decide to get a 10-digit number.
Examples: IP Relay, VRS, FCC, NAD, or other website; blogs/vlogs; message on my videophone; VRS provider contacted me; attended event, conference, or meeting.
* NO – tell us why.
Examples: I need more information about 10-digit numbers; I do not need a 10-digit number to use IP Relay or VRS; I do not use IP Relay or VRS; I will get a 10-digit number when I need to use IP Relay or VRS; I will get a 10-digit number when I get a videophone.
2. Do you have problems with IP Relay or VRS 10-digit numbers?
* Examples: I cannot connect with people who use a videophone that is different than my videophone; I cannot connect with my hearing family/friends who sign because they cannot get a 10-digit number; I cannot get one number that works with multiple or different videophones in my home or office; I can only register with the VRS provider that provided my videophone.
3. Do you have problems accessing 9-1-1 emergency services using your 10-digit IP Relay and/or VRS number?
* YES – tell us what happened.
* NO – I have not called 911 – OR – I had no problem when I called 911.
You can respond to these questions by sending e-mail to the NAD here. Thank you for joining the NAD as a participant in this important workshop.
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The National Association of the Deaf
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819
United States
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