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| VRS
is the latest and best form of TRS -- telecommunications
relay service. |
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| The ADA Act of 1990 charged
the FCC with providing TRS nationally -- to enable
all American citizens to be as effective as possible. TRS/VRS
funds are established at federal government level,
and are under the jurisdiction of the FCC.
The FCC manages TRS via NECA. In this capacity,
NECA is in the role of a semi-governmental agency
-- enforcing the rules of FCC/ADA. VRS
Service Providers (initially, large phone companies)
compete to provide VRS to consumers. Like
voice phone service, these providers are regulated
and qualified by FCC, and are accountable to the
consumers who have the choice to use them or use
others. Unlike voice phone service, these
providers are also scrutinized by NECA, as NECA
reimburses them from the TRS fund for VRS calls. Phone
companies had the equipment, know-how, relationship
with FCC, and phone lines to enter the VRS market.
They did not have expertise in ASL. Therefore,
most VRS service providers partnered with large
interpreting service firms to bring those skills
into the offering. I.E. AT&T and
Hands On; Sorenson and Gallaudet; Sprint and CSD. |
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| CONSUMER WATCH: |
| The
FCC just dramatically cut the per minute payment
to VRS Service Providers from the TRS fund.
The telecommunications industry was already in a
financially precarious state. This reduction
in VRS reimbursement may lead to reduced service
for consumers. Deaf and Hearing consumers
would be wise to closely track this issue and be
ready to contact their Congress person. |
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