Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,164
- Reaction score
- 5
FCC reassures deaf community Video Relay Service or VRS is not in jeopardy - wdbj7.com
It's a service the deaf and hard of hearing rely on to make phone calls. It is called Video Relay Services or V-R-S. One large company that provides the service is fighting a new Federal Communication Commission cut in reimbursements claiming it will hurt the industry and the deaf, but the FCC told News 7 that's not so.
"The FCC is completely committed to maintaining VRS service to help it grow in the future," said Joel Gurin with the Federal Communications Commission. That's critical because companies that provide video relay service rely on re-embursements from the FCC.
Sharon Bell has always been deaf. The married mother from Christiansburg uses VRS as part of her daily life. "I use it to call my daughter school, call the doctor, call the vet," Bell said.
Jason Hall from Ripplemead also uses VRS and said it's important to know it's there if needed to call for help in an emergency.
Video Relay Service allows the deaf and hard of hearing to make phone calls with the use of interpreters and video cameras. It means they can use their native sign language to communicate with everyone.
The FCC says data showed the cost of providing the service was lower than what it had been paying companies. That's why it proposed lowering reimbursement beginning July first. But Sorenson Communications, a powerhouse in the industry, has been fighting any decrease in rate reimbursements. The manager of Sorenson's Blacksburg office is Vicki Mather who told News 7 last month rate reimbursement cuts would not only hurt Sorenson, but have a dire impact on the deaf..
Leaders in the deaf community disagree. "We should not be concerned on the future of the VRS program. VRS is here to stay" said Claude Stout, Executive Director of TDI, otherwise known as Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.
Stout posted an on-line video on the topic encouraging deaf consumers to look at all of the information on their own. "We do not approve of scare tactics or means to distribute limited information from any one VRS provider," Stoute said.
VRS is provided by many different companies. Consumers decide which to use.
The FCC did approve new subsidies that took effect July 1st.
The biggest cut affects only larger companies that handle a high volume of calls such as Sorenson Communications.
This funding is part of the Americans with Disablities Act that ensures the deaf don't pay more for basic communication than hearing people.
"Nobody should think people who use the service are getting it for free. what they're getting is they're getting a break on the additional costs they have to pay beyond what somebody with regular telephone service would pay," said Joel Gurin with the FCC.
Sorenson communcations has sought a stay of the new rate order with the FCC. Just last week the FCC denied the request.
The lower interim rates are in effect for one year. During the next year the FCC will be looking for comment from the those in the deaf community and the VRS industry.
It's a service the deaf and hard of hearing rely on to make phone calls. It is called Video Relay Services or V-R-S. One large company that provides the service is fighting a new Federal Communication Commission cut in reimbursements claiming it will hurt the industry and the deaf, but the FCC told News 7 that's not so.
"The FCC is completely committed to maintaining VRS service to help it grow in the future," said Joel Gurin with the Federal Communications Commission. That's critical because companies that provide video relay service rely on re-embursements from the FCC.
Sharon Bell has always been deaf. The married mother from Christiansburg uses VRS as part of her daily life. "I use it to call my daughter school, call the doctor, call the vet," Bell said.
Jason Hall from Ripplemead also uses VRS and said it's important to know it's there if needed to call for help in an emergency.
Video Relay Service allows the deaf and hard of hearing to make phone calls with the use of interpreters and video cameras. It means they can use their native sign language to communicate with everyone.
The FCC says data showed the cost of providing the service was lower than what it had been paying companies. That's why it proposed lowering reimbursement beginning July first. But Sorenson Communications, a powerhouse in the industry, has been fighting any decrease in rate reimbursements. The manager of Sorenson's Blacksburg office is Vicki Mather who told News 7 last month rate reimbursement cuts would not only hurt Sorenson, but have a dire impact on the deaf..
Leaders in the deaf community disagree. "We should not be concerned on the future of the VRS program. VRS is here to stay" said Claude Stout, Executive Director of TDI, otherwise known as Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.
Stout posted an on-line video on the topic encouraging deaf consumers to look at all of the information on their own. "We do not approve of scare tactics or means to distribute limited information from any one VRS provider," Stoute said.
VRS is provided by many different companies. Consumers decide which to use.
The FCC did approve new subsidies that took effect July 1st.
The biggest cut affects only larger companies that handle a high volume of calls such as Sorenson Communications.
This funding is part of the Americans with Disablities Act that ensures the deaf don't pay more for basic communication than hearing people.
"Nobody should think people who use the service are getting it for free. what they're getting is they're getting a break on the additional costs they have to pay beyond what somebody with regular telephone service would pay," said Joel Gurin with the FCC.
Sorenson communcations has sought a stay of the new rate order with the FCC. Just last week the FCC denied the request.
The lower interim rates are in effect for one year. During the next year the FCC will be looking for comment from the those in the deaf community and the VRS industry.