CCOSD

Access to NG911 Services for the Deaf

On March 24, 2009, Claude Stout, Executive Director, Telecommunications for the Deaf (TDI) and Sheri Ann Farina, CEO, NorCal Services for the Deaf and hard of hearing as Customer Representatives met with the staff from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and CGB to discuss its concerns regarding access to traditional and next generation 911 access by deaf and hard of hearing consumers.

They expressed concern that these customers have been moving to newer and more efficient Internet-based TRS and other technologies, and argued some of these new technologies are not designed for transmitting 911 calls to PSAPs.  It also presented a white paper which outlines expectations of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities for comprehensive federal action to accelerate emergency 911 access. (Excerpt from Washington Watch of March 30, 2009). See the whitepaper (18 pages, 106.42KB).