<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>delcenia,</div><div>Welcome! Welcome to our list, and welcome to deafblind issues.</div><div>If I might ask, what part of Ohio do you live in? I know of other deafblind persons in Ohio, they are not in the NFB, but it might be a good opportunity to connect them, connect the two organizations. </div><div><br></div><div>Talk soon, <br><br>Marsha drenth <div>Sent with my IPhone </div></div><div><br>On Oct 29, 2013, at 9:57 PM, "DELCINA M BROWN" <<a href="mailto:delcenia@prodigy.net">delcenia@prodigy.net</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type">
<meta name="GENERATOR" content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.23532">
<style></style>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">
<p>First, let me introduce my self. My name is Delcenia Brown and I am a member
of the National Federation of the blind of Cleveland, Ohio. I am new to this
mailing list. Therefore alot of you I do not know and alot of abbreviation I do
not know. It will be nice if sometimes some of you would spell out what you are
talking about and it would be nice to know what state you are in. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tracy, I understand and appreciate what you are saying, your identity does
not change because of your situation or how you handle certain settings. Taking
advantage of what you have left is understandable. I am greatful for what little
hearing and vision I have left. I also take advantage of that by reading with a
CCTV when I can and using a fm system or pocket talker at the appropriate time.
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>At the same time I wish someone had taken the time to teach me braille, sign
language when I was younger. Now as I grow older and have other obstacles it is
a struggle to learn braille. I still have no one to teach me sign
language. So, yes, reminding Randy, that there are some deafblind that are
hard of hearing and do not sign was a gentle response. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just recently, I have posted a notice asking if anyone in my state share my
interests and got no response. However my state president does share my interest
and I believe at the state convention which is to be held November 1 thru 3,
2013, the agenda does include information about the I can connect program. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now, the downside of things. I have completed my application and it was
approved. I have had my assessment and I believe all of the equipment has been
ordered based on messages that I have received. However, I still have not
actually recieve anything as of today. This process started back in March or
April. I am grateful for the possibility of obtaining the equipment, it is
frustrating that it has taken so long and no one is returning my call.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I gladly get on board!</p>
<p>Delcenia</p>
<p> </p></font></div>
<blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><b>From:</b>
<a title="tracieinman@yahoo.com" href="mailto:tracieinman@yahoo.com">Tracie
Inman</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="nfb-db@nfbnet.org" href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 29, 2013 9:06
AM</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [nfb-db] nfb-db Digest, Vol
57, Issue 12</div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><br></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fff; FONT-FAMILY: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; COLOR: #000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<div><span><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><br></span></div>
<div></div>
<div>Hi Randy: I hope you're doing well and AADB is growing stronger
under your leadership. I wish you all the best always. Just a
gentle reminder my friend that many many Deaf - Blind are hard of hearing (non
sign speaking) blind folks. Randy, indeed since getting the two C.I.'s
I'm guilty of using voice, Assisted listening devices and voice interpreters
as opposed to using my signing, using interpreters, etc. I have switched
to English. My excuses has been that my vision is going "bye bye" and
depending on tactile scares me. In time, that may be my only option but
for now I'm surrounded by hearing family and friends so I've gotten into a
"comfort zone" with the success of my C.I.'s. What I'm trying to say
here is, remember that, just because you might not observe the folks signing
doesn't mean they're not Deaf-blind. </div>
<div> All the folks in the NFB Deaf-Blind division who are promoting ICC
are Deaf-Blind. In fact, every one assigned to Operation Outreach
(our outreach project to raise awareness of the ICC and the Deaf-Blind
community requesting ALL 50 affiliates and the D.C. affiliate to form
committees for the Deaf-Blind in their individual committee) - including our
mutual friend Marsha drenth are Deaf-Blind. </div>
<div> Speaking of, hey Scott if you want to help please contact me
or Joe Naulty. We could always use more helping hands. We got two
projects going on at the moment and probably will start a third. You
know about Operation Outreach. We've also started a committee on SSP
issues. If you want to help us, we can always use another helping hand.
I do believe the Deaf-Blind division is working harder than it ever has
before. I dare to say that we've accomplished more in the last few
months than we have in many years. The latest announcement we heard was
that Scott Labarre (affiliate President of Colorado and a National NFB Board
Member) has agreed to set up a Deaf-Blind Issues committee in the Colorado
affiliate. We also heard that the President of the Alaska
affiliate is Deaf-Blind. So climb abaord the NFB DB Express and lets get
chugging along on this exciting adventure raising awareness of Deaf-Blind
issues, ICC, and the need for SSP's. All are welcome aboard. </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><font size="2" face="Arial"></font><br></div>
<div>Best Wishes, </div>
<div>Tracie Inman</div>
<div>NFB Deaf-Blind Division</div>
<div>First Vice President</div>
<div><a href="mailto:tracieinman@yahoo.com">tracieinman@yahoo.com</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,128,255); FONT-SIZE: 18px"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt" size="4" face="Times New Roman">
<div><br><font size="4"><br><br></font><br><br></div></font></div>
<div><span></span></div>
<div></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block" class="yahoo_quoted"><br><br>
<div style="FONT-FAMILY: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<div style="FONT-FAMILY: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<div dir="ltr"><font size="2" face="Arial">On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:08 AM,
"<a href="mailto:nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org</a>>
wrote:<br></font></div>
<div class="y_msg_container">Send nfb-db mailing list submissions
to<br> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br><br>To subscribe
or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit<br> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>or,
via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to<br>
<a href="mailto:nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-request@nfbnet.org</a><br><br>You
can reach the person managing the list at<br> <a href="mailto:nfb-db-owner@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-owner@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-owner@nfbnet.org</a><br><br>When
replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific<br>than "Re:
Contents of nfb-db digest..."<br><br><br>Today's Topics:<br><br> 1. CSUN
Re: Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind
Persons<br> (Marsha Drenth)<br> 2. Re: CSUN Re:
Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind<br> Persons
(Scott
Davert)<br><br><br>----------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>Message:
1<br>Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:49:53 -0400<br>From: Marsha Drenth <<a href="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com">marsha.drenth@gmail.com</a>><br>To:
NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>><br>Subject:
[nfb-db] CSUN Re: Telecommunications Equipment for
Deaf-Blind<br> Persons<br>Message-ID: <<a href="mailto:D61AC1DF-7E22-4F4C-969D-18FC3E09FE61@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:D61AC1DF-7E22-4F4C-969D-18FC3E09FE61@gmail.com">D61AC1DF-7E22-4F4C-969D-18FC3E09FE61@gmail.com</a>><br>Content-Type:
text/plain; charset=utf-8<br><br>Scott, <br>When will you
hear if you are presenting at CSUn? and if you do present, who will you
present with from the NFB? <br>Very curious I know...<br><br>Marsha
drenth <br>Sent with my IPhone <br><br>On Oct 27, 2013, at 6:32 PM,
Scott Davert <<a href="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com">scottdavert@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br><br>> Hi Randy.<br>> It would seem there is not a lot of
outreach going on from what I can<br>> tell. I have not done outreach for
NFB or ACB, but have gone to a few<br>> places to promote it. I, of course,
took an interpreter along, because<br>> I have the signing vocabulary of a
6 month old. I know that HKNC plans<br>> to send someone to the national
AFB conference in Feb, and I submitted<br>> a proposal to CSUN to discuss
deaf-blindness and some of the<br>> technology used. If accepted, I will be
presenting this with a member<br>> of the NFB. It will, of course, make
mention of the ICC program.<br>> <br>> All the best,<br>>
Scott<br>> <br>> On 10/27/13, Marsha Drenth <<a href="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com">marsha.drenth@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>>> Randy,<br>>> Ok, just so the point is clear, anyone
from the NFB who is promoting the ICC<br>>> program, is Deafblind. Of
course there are other organizations promoting the<br>>> ICC program.
And yes some DB persons are not signing DB folks. Of course<br>>> this
by no means that they aren't DB.<br>>> <br>>> <br>>> Marsha
drenth<br>>> Sent with my IPhone<br>>> <br>>> On Oct 26,
2013, at 10:06 PM, "Randy Pope" <<a href="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org" ymailto="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org">randy.pope@aadb.org</a>>
wrote:<br>>> <br>>>> Marsha,<br>>>> <br>>>>
Sorry for overlooking the last part of your message. I have received
a<br>>>> few report that the people who are actually doing the
promotion and<br>>>> education are not DeafBlind. But here is
the problem in determining if<br>>>> these report are true.
These people could be Deafblind but cannot sign.<br>>>> In the recent
DSA conference, the person sitting in the ICC booth, was<br>>>>
assuming hearing blind who did not know how to sign.<br>>>>
<br>>>> There were a few other situation similar to this
situation. See where I?m<br>>>> coming from?<br>>>>
<br>>>> Randy<br>>>> <br>>>> From: nfb-db
[mailto:<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] On
Behalf Of Marsha<br>>>> Drenth<br>>>> Sent: Saturday,
October 26, 2013 8:30 PM<br>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing
List<br>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for
Deaf-Blind Persons<br>>>> <br>>>> Mr. Pope,<br>>>>
I am not a part of the NFB DB board, but the NFB DB division has
implement<br>>>> an outreach program to educate state affiliates on
Deafblindness,<br>>>> resources, and the Icanconnect program. I do
believe that all of those<br>>>> persons who are reaching out to the
different states are db themselves. Is<br>>>> this what you
mean?<br>>>> <br>>>> Marsha drenth<br>>>> Sent with
my IPhone<br>>>> <br>>>> On Oct 26, 2013, at 8:21 PM, "Randy
Pope" <<a href="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org" ymailto="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org">randy.pope@aadb.org</a>>
wrote:<br>>>> <br>>>> Question: Are there any
DeafBlind people assisting in the NDBEDP outreach<br>>>>
program?<br>>>> <br>>>> Randy<br>>>>
<br>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] On
Behalf Of David<br>>>> Andrews<br>>>> Sent: Friday, October
25, 2013 9:16 PM<br>>>> To: <a href="mailto:nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org">nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>
Subject: [nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind
Persons<br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>>
<br>>>> <br>>>> I have been asked to distribute the
following.<br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>>
Dear David,<br>>>> <br>>>> I have been charged with the
outreach program for :I Can Connect" in 5<br>>>> states, MICHIGAN,
MINNESOTA,<br>>>> OKLAHOMA, WASHINGTON and WISCONSIN<br>>>>
<br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>> Changing what it means to
be blind,<br>>>> Marcus Simmons, President,<br>>>> Wayne
County chapter NFBMI<br>>>> 28179 Brentwood<br>>>>
Southfield, MI 48076-3069<br>>>> <a href="mailto:president@map-n.org" ymailto="mailto:president@map-n.org">president@map-n.org</a><br>>>>
(248) 552-8928<br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>>
<br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>> <br>>>>
NDBEDP.pdf<br>>>> Consumer Guide<br>>>> 9<br>>>>
National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program<br>>>>
Background<br>>>> The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act of<br>>>> 2010 (CVAA) authorizes
the<br>>>> Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide funding
for local<br>>>> programs to distribute<br>>>> equipment to
low-income individuals who are ?deaf-blind? (see definition<br>>>>
below.) The FCC may use up<br>>>> to $10 million annually from the
interstate Telecommunications Relay<br>>>> Service fund for this
purpose.<br>>>> Pilot Program<br>>>> In 2011, the FCC
established the National Deaf-Blind Equipment<br>>>> Distribution
Program (NDBEDP) as a<br>>>> pilot program. The pilot program has
been in effect since July 1, 2012,<br>>>> and the FCC may extend
the<br>>>> program another year. The pilot program provides valuable
information that<br>>>> the FCC will use to help<br>>>>
develop and implement an effective and efficient permanent
deaf-blind<br>>>> equipment distribution program.<br>>>> How
does the pilot program operate?<br>>>> The FCC selected and certified
one entity in each of the 50 states, plus<br>>>> the District of
Columbia, Puerto<br>>>> Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to receive FCC
support to distribute<br>>>> equipment to low-income
individuals<br>>>> who are deaf-blind. The FCC allocated a minimum of
$50,000 to each of the<br>>>> 53 certified programs,<br>>>>
plus additional funding based on the size of each state's population. As
a<br>>>> result, states with large<br>>>> populations were
allocated larger amounts of funding than states with<br>>>> small
populations.<br>>>> The FCC also set aside $500,000 each year for the
Perkins School for the<br>>>> Blind to coordinate
outreach<br>>>> to promote this new equipment distribution program
nationwide.<br>>>> Who is eligible to receive
equipment?<br>>>> Under the CVAA, only low-income individuals who are
deaf-blind are<br>>>> eligible to receive equipment.<br>>>>
Applicants must provide verification of their status as low-income
and<br>>>> deaf-blind.<br>>>> The CVAA requires that the
term "deaf-blind" has the same meaning given in<br>>>> the Helen
Keller National<br>>>> Center Act. In general, the individual must
have a certain vision loss and<br>>>> a hearing loss
that,<br>>>> combined, cause extreme difficulty in attaining
independence in daily life<br>>>> activities,
achieving<br>>>> psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining a vocation
(working).<br>>>> The FCC defines "low income" to mean not more than
400% of the Federal<br>>>> Poverty Guidelines, as<br>>>>
indicated in the following chart:<br>>>> <br>>>> table with
4 columns and 11 rows<br>>>> 2013 Federal Poverty
Guidelines<br>>>> Number of persons in
family/household<br>>>> 400% for everywhere, except Alaska and
Hawaii<br>>>> 400% for Alaska<br>>>> 400% for
Hawaii<br>>>> 1<br>>>> $45,960<br>>>>
$57,400<br>>>> $52,920<br>>>> 2<br>>>>
62,040<br>>>> 77,520<br>>>> 71,400<br>>>>
3<br>>>> 78,120<br>>>> 97,640<br>>>>
89,880<br>>>> 4<br>>>> 94,200<br>>>>
117,760<br>>>> 108,360<br>>>> 5<br>>>>
110,280<br>>>> 137,880<br>>>> 126,840<br>>>>
6<br>>>> 126,360<br>>>> 158,000<br>>>>
145,320<br>>>> 7<br>>>> 142,440<br>>>>
178,120<br>>>> 163,800<br>>>> 8<br>>>>
158,520<br>>>> 198,240<br>>>> 182,280<br>>>> For
each additional person, add<br>>>> $16,080<br>>>>
$20,120<br>>>> $18,480<br>>>> table end<br>>>>
<br>>>> Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services<br>>>> (<a href="http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm">aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm</a>)<br>>>>
What kind of equipment can be distributed?<br>>>> The equipment
distributed must be designed to make telecommunications<br>>>> (such
as wireline and<br>>>> wireless telephone communication), advanced
communications (such as<br>>>> Internet-based voice<br>>>>
communication, e-mail, instant messaging and interoperable
video<br>>>> conferencing services), and access<br>>>> to
the Internet (including information services) accessible. The
equipment<br>>>> distributed may be<br>>>> hardware,
software or applications, separate or in combination,
mainstream<br>>>> or specialized. The<br>>>> equipment must
meet the needs of the deaf-blind individual to achieve<br>>>> access.
Certified programs may<br>>>> also provide equipment warranties,
maintenance, and repairs for such<br>>>> equipment depending
on<br>>>> available funding.<br>>>> Besides distributing
equipment, what will the NDBEDP certified programs<br>>>>
do?<br>>>> Certified programs will inform their communities about
this new program to<br>>>> distribute equipment to
low-<br>>>> income residents in their states who are deaf-blind. They
will verify that<br>>>> applicants are eligible to<br>>>>
receive equipment. They will assess each applicant's
communications<br>>>> equipment needs to select<br>>>>
appropriate equipment to meet those needs. They may also help install
and<br>>>> provide training for the<br>>>> equipment
distributed.<br>>>> How do I find the certified program that serves
my state?<br>>>> Information about how to find the NDBEDP certified
program in your state<br>>>> is available during the on
the<br>>>> FCC website at<br>>>>
<a href="http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program">www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program</a><br>>>>
,<br>>>> by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC<br>>>> (1-888-835-5322) TTY, or by<br>>>>
sending an email to<br>>>> <a href="mailto:dro@fcc.gov." ymailto="mailto:dro@fcc.gov.">dro@fcc.gov.</a><br>>>> How can I help
the NDBEDP be successful?<br>>>> list of 4 items<br>>>> Tell
people about the program.<br>>>> Tell the FCC how the NDBEDP helped
you or someone you know.<br>>>> Tell the FCC how the program can be
improved.<br>>>> Tell the FCC about new types of technologies that
should be included for<br>>>> distribution.<br>>>> list
end<br>>>> You may also file an informal complaint with the FCC if
you think someone<br>>>> has violated the NDBEDP<br>>>>
rules. Informal complaints may be filed by calling
1-888-CALL-FCC<br>>>> (1-888-225-5322) voice or<br>>>>
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232, or by
writing<br>>>> to:<br>>>> Federal Communications
Commission<br>>>> Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau<br>>>> Consumer Inquiries and Complaints
Division<br>>>> 445 12th Street, S.W.<br>>>> Washington, DC
20554<br>>>> For More Information<br>>>> For
inf<br>>>> ormation about other communications issues, visit the
FCC?s Consumer<br>>>> website at<br>>>>
<a href="http://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau">www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau</a>,<br>>>> or contact
the FCC?s Consumer Center by<br>>>> calling 1-888-CALL-FCC voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232;<br>>>> or writing to
the<br>>>> address listed above.<br>>>> ###<br>>>>
For this or any other consumer publication in an accessible
format<br>>>> (electronic ASCII text, Braille, large
print<br>>>> or audio), please write or call us at the address or
phone number below,<br>>>> or send an email to<br>>>> <a href="mailto:FCC504@fcc.gov." ymailto="mailto:FCC504@fcc.gov.">FCC504@fcc.gov.</a><br>>>> This
document is for consumer education purposes only and is not
intended<br>>>> to affect any proceedings or<br>>>> cases
involving this subject matter or related issues.<br>>>> Last Reviewed
5/2/13<br>>>>
_______________________________________________<br>>>> nfb-db mailing
list<br>>>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>
_______________________________________________<br>>>> nfb-db mailing
list<br>>>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>>>
<br>> <br>> _______________________________________________<br>>
nfb-db mailing list<br>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br><br><br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Message:
2<br>Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:25:09 -0400<br>From: Scott Davert <<a href="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com">scottdavert@gmail.com</a>><br>To:
NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <<a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a>><br>Subject: Re:
[nfb-db] CSUN Re: Telecommunications Equipment for<br>
Deaf-Blind Persons<br>Message-ID:<br>
<<a href="mailto:CAOHXxEY2mnUu06jvFueXPKeMvFodJX281Nzo8cNBqZdLV3ZRqg@mail.gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:CAOHXxEY2mnUu06jvFueXPKeMvFodJX281Nzo8cNBqZdLV3ZRqg@mail.gmail.com">CAOHXxEY2mnUu06jvFueXPKeMvFodJX281Nzo8cNBqZdLV3ZRqg@mail.gmail.com</a>><br>Content-Type:
text/plain; charset=windows-1252<br><br>Hi Marcha.<br>I will know next month
whether my proposal has been accepted. I would<br>be presenting with Amy
Mason.<br><br>Scott<br><br>On 10/28/13, Marsha Drenth <<a href="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com">marsha.drenth@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>> Scott,<br>> When will you hear if you are presenting at
CSUn? and if you do present, who<br>> will you present with from the
NFB?<br>> Very curious I know...<br>><br>> Marsha drenth<br>> Sent
with my IPhone<br>><br>> On Oct 27, 2013, at 6:32 PM, Scott Davert
<<a href="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:scottdavert@gmail.com">scottdavert@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>><br>>> Hi Randy.<br>>> It would seem there is not a
lot of outreach going on from what I can<br>>> tell. I have not done
outreach for NFB or ACB, but have gone to a few<br>>> places to promote
it. I, of course, took an interpreter along, because<br>>> I have the
signing vocabulary of a 6 month old. I know that HKNC plans<br>>> to
send someone to the national AFB conference in Feb, and I
submitted<br>>> a proposal to CSUN to discuss deaf-blindness and some of
the<br>>> technology used. If accepted, I will be presenting this with a
member<br>>> of the NFB. It will, of course, make mention of the ICC
program.<br>>><br>>> All the best,<br>>>
Scott<br>>><br>>> On 10/27/13, Marsha Drenth <<a href="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com" ymailto="mailto:marsha.drenth@gmail.com">marsha.drenth@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>>>> Randy,<br>>>> Ok, just so the point is clear,
anyone from the NFB who is promoting the<br>>>> ICC<br>>>>
program, is Deafblind. Of course there are other organizations
promoting<br>>>> the<br>>>> ICC program. And yes some DB
persons are not signing DB folks. Of course<br>>>> this by no means
that they aren't DB.<br>>>><br>>>><br>>>> Marsha
drenth<br>>>> Sent with my IPhone<br>>>><br>>>> On
Oct 26, 2013, at 10:06 PM, "Randy Pope" <<a href="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org" ymailto="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org">randy.pope@aadb.org</a>>
wrote:<br>>>><br>>>>>
Marsha,<br>>>>><br>>>>> Sorry for overlooking the last
part of your message. I have received a<br>>>>> few report
that the people who are actually doing the promotion and<br>>>>>
education are not DeafBlind. But here is the problem in determining
if<br>>>>> these report are true. These people could be
Deafblind but cannot sign.<br>>>>> In the recent DSA conference,
the person sitting in the ICC booth, was<br>>>>> assuming hearing
blind who did not know how to
sign.<br>>>>><br>>>>> There were a few other situation
similar to this situation. See where<br>>>>>
I?m<br>>>>> coming from?<br>>>>><br>>>>>
Randy<br>>>>><br>>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] On
Behalf Of Marsha<br>>>>> Drenth<br>>>>> Sent:
Saturday, October 26, 2013 8:30 PM<br>>>>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind
Division Mailing List<br>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db]
Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind<br>>>>>
Persons<br>>>>><br>>>>> Mr. Pope,<br>>>>>
I am not a part of the NFB DB board, but the NFB DB division
has<br>>>>> implement<br>>>>> an outreach program to
educate state affiliates on Deafblindness,<br>>>>> resources, and
the Icanconnect program. I do believe that all of those<br>>>>>
persons who are reaching out to the different states are db
themselves.<br>>>>> Is<br>>>>> this what you
mean?<br>>>>><br>>>>> Marsha
drenth<br>>>>> Sent with my
IPhone<br>>>>><br>>>>> On Oct 26, 2013, at 8:21 PM,
"Randy Pope" <<a href="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org" ymailto="mailto:randy.pope@aadb.org">randy.pope@aadb.org</a>>
wrote:<br>>>>><br>>>>> Question: Are there any
DeafBlind people assisting in the NDBEDP<br>>>>>
outreach<br>>>>> program?<br>>>>><br>>>>>
Randy<br>>>>><br>>>>> From: nfb-db [mailto:<a href="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>] On
Behalf Of David<br>>>>> Andrews<br>>>>> Sent: Friday,
October 25, 2013 9:16 PM<br>>>>> To: <a href="mailto:nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org">nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>>
Subject: [nfb-db] Telecommunications Equipment for Deaf-Blind
Persons<br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>>
I have been asked to distribute the
following.<br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>>
Dear David,<br>>>>><br>>>>> I have been charged with
the outreach program for :I Can Connect" in 5<br>>>>> states,
MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,<br>>>>> OKLAHOMA, WASHINGTON and
WISCONSIN<br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>>
Changing what it means to be blind,<br>>>>> Marcus Simmons,
President,<br>>>>> Wayne County chapter NFBMI<br>>>>>
28179 Brentwood<br>>>>> Southfield, MI
48076-3069<br>>>>> <a href="mailto:president@map-n.org" ymailto="mailto:president@map-n.org">president@map-n.org</a><br>>>>>
(248)
552-8928<br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>>>
NDBEDP.pdf<br>>>>> Consumer Guide<br>>>>>
9<br>>>>> National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution
Program<br>>>>> Background<br>>>>> The Twenty-First
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of<br>>>>> 2010
(CVAA) authorizes the<br>>>>> Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to provide funding for local<br>>>>> programs to
distribute<br>>>>> equipment to low-income individuals who are
?deaf-blind? (see definition<br>>>>> below.) The FCC may use
up<br>>>>> to $10 million annually from the interstate
Telecommunications Relay<br>>>>> Service fund for this
purpose.<br>>>>> Pilot Program<br>>>>> In 2011, the
FCC established the National Deaf-Blind Equipment<br>>>>>
Distribution Program (NDBEDP) as a<br>>>>> pilot program. The
pilot program has been in effect since July 1, 2012,<br>>>>> and
the FCC may extend the<br>>>>> program another year. The pilot
program provides valuable information<br>>>>>
that<br>>>>> the FCC will use to help<br>>>>> develop
and implement an effective and efficient permanent
deaf-blind<br>>>>> equipment distribution
program.<br>>>>> How does the pilot program
operate?<br>>>>> The FCC selected and certified one entity in each
of the 50 states, plus<br>>>>> the District of Columbia,
Puerto<br>>>>> Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to receive FCC
support to distribute<br>>>>> equipment to low-income
individuals<br>>>>> who are deaf-blind. The FCC allocated a
minimum of $50,000 to each of<br>>>>> the<br>>>>> 53
certified programs,<br>>>>> plus additional funding based on the
size of each state's population. As<br>>>>> a<br>>>>>
result, states with large<br>>>>> populations were allocated
larger amounts of funding than states with<br>>>>> small
populations.<br>>>>> The FCC also set aside $500,000 each year for
the Perkins School for the<br>>>>> Blind to coordinate
outreach<br>>>>> to promote this new equipment distribution
program nationwide.<br>>>>> Who is eligible to receive
equipment?<br>>>>> Under the CVAA, only low-income individuals who
are deaf-blind are<br>>>>> eligible to receive
equipment.<br>>>>> Applicants must provide verification of their
status as low-income and<br>>>>> deaf-blind.<br>>>>>
The CVAA requires that the term "deaf-blind" has the same meaning
given<br>>>>> in<br>>>>> the Helen Keller
National<br>>>>> Center Act. In general, the individual must have
a certain vision loss<br>>>>> and<br>>>>> a hearing
loss that,<br>>>>> combined, cause extreme difficulty in attaining
independence in daily<br>>>>> life<br>>>>> activities,
achieving<br>>>>> psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining a vocation
(working).<br>>>>> The FCC defines "low income" to mean not more
than 400% of the Federal<br>>>>> Poverty Guidelines,
as<br>>>>> indicated in the following
chart:<br>>>>><br>>>>> table with 4 columns and 11
rows<br>>>>> 2013 Federal Poverty Guidelines<br>>>>>
Number of persons in family/household<br>>>>> 400% for everywhere,
except Alaska and Hawaii<br>>>>> 400% for
Alaska<br>>>>> 400% for Hawaii<br>>>>>
1<br>>>>> $45,960<br>>>>> $57,400<br>>>>>
$52,920<br>>>>> 2<br>>>>> 62,040<br>>>>>
77,520<br>>>>> 71,400<br>>>>> 3<br>>>>>
78,120<br>>>>> 97,640<br>>>>>
89,880<br>>>>> 4<br>>>>> 94,200<br>>>>>
117,760<br>>>>> 108,360<br>>>>> 5<br>>>>>
110,280<br>>>>> 137,880<br>>>>>
126,840<br>>>>> 6<br>>>>> 126,360<br>>>>>
158,000<br>>>>> 145,320<br>>>>> 7<br>>>>>
142,440<br>>>>> 178,120<br>>>>>
163,800<br>>>>> 8<br>>>>> 158,520<br>>>>>
198,240<br>>>>> 182,280<br>>>>> For each additional
person, add<br>>>>> $16,080<br>>>>>
$20,120<br>>>>> $18,480<br>>>>> table
end<br>>>>><br>>>>> Source: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services<br>>>>>
(<a href="http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm">aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/13poverty.cfm</a>)<br>>>>> What kind of
equipment can be distributed?<br>>>>> The equipment distributed
must be designed to make telecommunications<br>>>>> (such as
wireline and<br>>>>> wireless telephone communication), advanced
communications (such as<br>>>>> Internet-based
voice<br>>>>> communication, e-mail, instant messaging and
interoperable video<br>>>>> conferencing services), and
access<br>>>>> to the Internet (including information services)
accessible. The<br>>>>> equipment<br>>>>> distributed
may be<br>>>>> hardware, software or applications, separate or in
combination,<br>>>>> mainstream<br>>>>> or
specialized. The<br>>>>> equipment must meet the needs of the
deaf-blind individual to achieve<br>>>>> access. Certified
programs may<br>>>>> also provide equipment warranties,
maintenance, and repairs for such<br>>>>> equipment depending
on<br>>>>> available funding.<br>>>>> Besides
distributing equipment, what will the NDBEDP certified
programs<br>>>>> do?<br>>>>> Certified programs will
inform their communities about this new program<br>>>>>
to<br>>>>> distribute equipment to low-<br>>>>> income
residents in their states who are deaf-blind. They will
verify<br>>>>> that<br>>>>> applicants are eligible
to<br>>>>> receive equipment. They will assess each applicant's
communications<br>>>>> equipment needs to
select<br>>>>> appropriate equipment to meet those needs. They may
also help install<br>>>>> and<br>>>>> provide training
for the<br>>>>> equipment distributed.<br>>>>> How do
I find the certified program that serves my state?<br>>>>>
Information about how to find the NDBEDP certified program in your
state<br>>>>> is available during the on the<br>>>>>
FCC website at<br>>>>>
<a href="http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program">www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/national-deaf-blind-equipment-distribution-program</a><br>>>>>
,<br>>>>> by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC<br>>>>> (1-888-835-5322) TTY, or
by<br>>>>> sending an email to<br>>>>> <a href="mailto:dro@fcc.gov." ymailto="mailto:dro@fcc.gov.">dro@fcc.gov.</a><br>>>>> How can I
help the NDBEDP be successful?<br>>>>> list of 4
items<br>>>>> Tell people about the program.<br>>>>>
Tell the FCC how the NDBEDP helped you or someone you
know.<br>>>>> Tell the FCC how the program can be
improved.<br>>>>> Tell the FCC about new types of technologies
that should be included for<br>>>>>
distribution.<br>>>>> list end<br>>>>> You may also
file an informal complaint with the FCC if you think<br>>>>>
someone<br>>>>> has violated the NDBEDP<br>>>>> rules.
Informal complaints may be filed by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC<br>>>>>
(1-888-225-5322) voice or<br>>>>> 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232, or by<br>>>>>
writing<br>>>>> to:<br>>>>> Federal Communications
Commission<br>>>>> Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau<br>>>>> Consumer Inquiries and Complaints
Division<br>>>>> 445 12th Street, S.W.<br>>>>>
Washington, DC 20554<br>>>>> For More
Information<br>>>>> For inf<br>>>>> ormation about
other communications issues, visit the FCC?s Consumer<br>>>>>
website at<br>>>>>
<a href="http://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau">www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau</a>,<br>>>>> or
contact the FCC?s Consumer Center by<br>>>>> calling
1-888-CALL-FCC voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC TTY; faxing<br>>>>>
1-866-418-0232;<br>>>>> or writing to the<br>>>>>
address listed above.<br>>>>> ###<br>>>>> For this or
any other consumer publication in an accessible format<br>>>>>
(electronic ASCII text, Braille, large print<br>>>>> or audio),
please write or call us at the address or phone number
below,<br>>>>> or send an email to<br>>>>> <a href="mailto:FCC504@fcc.gov." ymailto="mailto:FCC504@fcc.gov.">FCC504@fcc.gov.</a><br>>>>> This
document is for consumer education purposes only and is
not<br>>>>> intended<br>>>>> to affect any proceedings
or<br>>>>> cases involving this subject matter or related
issues.<br>>>>> Last Reviewed 5/2/13<br>>>>>
_______________________________________________<br>>>>> nfb-db
mailing list<br>>>>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>>
<a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>>
_______________________________________________<br>>>>> nfb-db
mailing list<br>>>>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>>>>>
<a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>>>><br>>><br>>>
_______________________________________________<br>>> nfb-db mailing
list<br>>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>><br>>
_______________________________________________<br>> nfb-db mailing
list<br>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br>><br><br><br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Subject:
Digest Footer<br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nfb-db
mailing list<br><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" ymailto="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br><br><br>------------------------------<br><br>End
of nfb-db Digest, Vol 57, Issue
12<br>**************************************<br><br><br></div></div></div></div></div>
<p>
</p><hr>
<p></p>_______________________________________________<br>nfb-db mailing
list<br><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br></blockquote>
</div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>nfb-db mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a></span><br></div></blockquote></body></html>