[nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind Persons
Marsha Drenth
marsha.drenth at gmail.com
Sun Oct 27 21:19:39 UTC 2013
Randy,
Ok, just so the point is clear, anyone from the NFB who is promoting the ICC program, is Deafblind. Of course there are other organizations promoting the ICC program. And yes some DB persons are not signing DB folks. Of course this by no means that they aren't DB.
Marsha drenth
Sent with my IPhone
On Oct 26, 2013, at 10:06 PM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
> Marsha,
>
> Sorry for overlooking the last part of your message. I have received a few report that the people who are actually doing the promotion and education are not DeafBlind. But here is the problem in determining if these report are true. These people could be Deafblind but cannot sign. In the recent DSA conference, the person sitting in the ICC booth, was assuming hearing blind who did not know how to sign.
>
> There were a few other situation similar to this situation. See where I’m coming from?
>
> Randy
>
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
> Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2013 8:30 PM
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind Persons
>
> Mr. Pope,
> I am not a part of the NFB DB board, but the NFB DB division has implement an outreach program to educate state affiliates on Deafblindness, resources, and the Icanconnect program. I do believe that all of those persons who are reaching out to the different states are db themselves. Is this what you mean?
>
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone
>
> On Oct 26, 2013, at 8:21 PM, "Randy Pope" <randy.pope at aadb.org> wrote:
>
> Question: Are there any DeafBlind people assisting in the NDBEDP outreach program?
>
> Randy
>
> From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Andrews
> Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 9:16 PM
> To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind Persons
>
>
>
>
>
> I have been asked to distribute the following.
>
>
>
> Dear David,
>
> I have been charged with the outreach program for :I Can Connect" in 5 states, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,
> OKLAHOMA, WASHINGTON and WISCONSIN
>
>
>
> Changing what it means to be blind,
> Marcus Simmons, President,
> Wayne County chapter NFBMI
> 28179 Brentwood
> Southfield, MI 48076-3069
> president at map-n.org
> (248) 552-8928
>
>
>
>
>
>
> NDBEDP.pdf
> Consumer Guide
> 9
> National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
> Background
> The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) authorizes the
> Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide funding for local programs to distribute
> equipment to low-income individuals who are “deaf-blind” (see definition below.) The FCC may use up
> to $10 million annually from the interstate Telecommunications Relay Service fund for this purpose.
> Pilot Program
> In 2011, the FCC established the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) as a
> pilot program. The pilot program has been in effect since July 1, 2012, and the FCC may extend the
> program another year. The pilot program provides valuable information that the FCC will use to help
> develop and implement an effective and efficient permanent deaf-blind equipment distribution program.
> How does the pilot program operate?
> The FCC selected and certified one entity in each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto
> Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to receive FCC support to distribute equipment to low-income individuals
> who are deaf-blind. The FCC allocated a minimum of $50,000 to each of the 53 certified programs,
> plus additional funding based on the size of each state's population. As a result, states with large
> populations were allocated larger amounts of funding than states with small populations.
> The FCC also set aside $500,000 each year for the Perkins School for the Blind to coordinate outreach
> to promote this new equipment distribution program nationwide.
> Who is eligible to receive equipment?
> Under the CVAA, only low-income individuals who are deaf-blind are eligible to receive equipment.
> Applicants must provide verification of their status as low-income and deaf-blind.
> The CVAA requires that the term "deaf-blind" has the same meaning given in the Helen Keller National
> Center Act. In general, the individual must have a certain vision loss and a hearing loss that,
> combined, cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving
> psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining a vocation (working).
> The FCC defines "low income" to mean not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, as
> indicated in the following chart:
>
> table with 4 columns and 11 rows
> 2013 Federal Poverty Guidelines
> Number of persons in family/household
> 400% for everywhere, except Alaska and Hawaii
> 400% for Alaska
> 400% for Hawaii
> 1
> $45,960
> $57,400
> $52,920
> 2
> 62,040
> 77,520
> 71,400
> 3
> 78,120
> 97,640
> 89,880
> 4
> 94,200
> 117,760
> 108,360
> 5
> 110,280
> 137,880
> 126,840
> 6
> 126,360
> 158,000
> 145,320
> 7
> 142,440
> 178,120
> 163,800
> 8
> 158,520
> 198,240
> 182,280
> For each additional person, add
> $16,080
> $20,120
> $18,480
> table end
>
> Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
> (aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm)
> What kind of equipment can be distributed?
> The equipment distributed must be designed to make telecommunications (such as wireline and
> wireless telephone communication), advanced communications (such as Internet-based voice
> communication, e-mail, instant messaging and interoperable video conferencing services), and access
> to the Internet (including information services) accessible. The equipment distributed may be
> hardware, software or applications, separate or in combination, mainstream or specialized. The
> equipment must meet the needs of the deaf-blind individual to achieve access. Certified programs may
> also provide equipment warranties, maintenance, and repairs for such equipment depending on
> available funding.
> Besides distributing equipment, what will the NDBEDP certified programs do?
> Certified programs will inform their communities about this new program to distribute equipment to low-
> income residents in their states who are deaf-blind. They will verify that applicants are eligible to
> receive equipment. They will assess each applicant's communications equipment needs to select
> appropriate equipment to meet those needs. They may also help install and provide training for the
> equipment distributed.
> How do I find the certified program that serves my state?
> Information about how to find the NDBEDP certified program in your state is available during the on the
> FCC website at
> www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program ,
> by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY, or by
> sending an email to
> dro at fcc.gov.
> How can I help the NDBEDP be successful?
> list of 4 items
> Tell people about the program.
> Tell the FCC how the NDBEDP helped you or someone you know.
> Tell the FCC how the program can be improved.
> Tell the FCC about new types of technologies that should be included for distribution.
> list end
> You may also file an informal complaint with the FCC if you think someone has violated the NDBEDP
> rules. Informal complaints may be filed by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
> 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232, or by writing to:
> Federal Communications Commission
> Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
> Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
> 445 12th Street, S.W.
> Washington, DC 20554
> For More Information
> For inf
> ormation about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer
> website at
> www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau,
> or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by
> calling 1-888-CALL-FCC voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to the
> address listed above.
> ###
> For this or any other consumer publication in an accessible format (electronic ASCII text, Braille, large print
> or audio), please write or call us at the address or phone number below, or send an email to
> FCC504 at fcc.gov.
> This document is for consumer education purposes only and is not intended to affect any proceedings or
> cases involving this subject matter or related issues.
> Last Reviewed 5/2/13
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