No, qwerty, it not just dead. The feature cannot go on because FCC said NO unless hearing caller is involved in the conference calls then deaf callers would be forced to find a hearing person to start a conference calls which I find it is absurd and waste of their time to find a hearing caller.
It is not dead yet, but Purple will try to convince them to overturn the decision. By the way, Sorenson do not have conference program for conference calls. If all VP companies already have conference program, FCC will not allow it unless a hearing caller is involved. If you meant Sorenson VRI program that is completely different program than the regular conference calls. This can be found in
Sorenson VRI which it is completely different program that interpret between hearing and deaf people in the same location. It states, "Ideal for one-on-one discussions or small group conversations", which it still between deaf and hearing people to use this program. SorensonVRI program is totally different if you meant those program.
What this whole topic is about having deaf to deaf conference calls instead of using hearing to deaf conference call. Having deaf to deaf conference calls is the best idea to use for deaf business owners to have conference calls. If FCC told them NO to conference calls unless there a hearing caller, then it would waste deaf callers' time to find one.
Again, qwerty, the conference call with MVP or P3 is not dead but they will try their best to convince FCC to overturn that decision. Another way of saying, Purple is asking for clarification on why FCC declined to allow Purple to use conference call unless a hearing caller is involved in the conference call.
Now, qwerty, read closely on this petition you provided,
"Exhibit number 99.2- Petition for Rulemaking to Clarify Rules filed by Purple Communications, Inc. on August 12, 2009 with the Federal Communications Commission."
Do you know what this mean qwerty? It is a petition asking to clarify rules filed by Purple with FCC. This is why Kelby is working with them about this situation, seeking clarification from FCC. Now when you read down to the bottom of the petition, I will provide you part of the petition which it states, "Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which added section 225 to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 1 requires common carriers offering telephone voice transmission services to provide telecommunications relay services (TRS) throughout their service areas. Telecommunications relay services are defined in the Communications Act as “services that provide the ability for an individual who has a hearing impairment or speech impairment to engage in communication by wire or radio with a hearing individual.” and there is another underneath the first petition it says, "On August 12, 2009, Purple Communications, Inc. (Purple) filed a Petition for Rulemaking to Clarify Relay Rules. Among other things, Purple asks the Commission to adopt formal rules “that confirm that the ADA permits the reimbursement of multi-party VRS calls, regardless of whether a hearing individual is on the call,” and to confirm the lawfulness of certain outreach and marketing practices." Now, what this mean is Purple is petitioning to clarify the rules made by FCC which it states, "that confirm that the ADA permits the reimbursement of multi-party VRS calls, regardless of whether a hearing individual is on the call," This was under the law under section 225 under Communication Acts.
I hope you understand the petition, if you don't then read it again, and read it closely, qwerty.
Imagine this scenario: If this continues with this new change with the new law in the future made by FCC, we might not have deaf to deaf calls anymore because of the new law which requires hearing to deaf call only (through VRS). What do you think FCC would do? Do you think FCC will stop deaf to deaf calls or deaf to deaf conference calls unless there will be hearing callers in the VP calls? What do you think what this will happen in the future? If it does comes true, then all of the deaf communities would have to make a TTY calls to deaf callers. That means every deaf person would have to bring out the old dinosaur TTY out of the attic or their closets to make a deaf call to a deaf person just because the "law" says they can't make deaf to deaf call on VP, only hearing to deaf call are allowed on all VP only. Imagine this going to happen to you? Do you think you would allow FCC telling you what to do on how you make your calls on VP or TTY? What you will think about this, huh?
