News & Filings
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Opportunity to Provide Feedback to Spectrum!
Provide Feedback to Spectrum! We are excited to share an opportunity for the deaf and hard of hearing community to provide direct feedback to one of our partners! Spectrum's goal is to provide an exceptional viewing experience for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing...
Fireside Chat with TDI and FCC
Fireside Chat with TDI and FCC. On Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 at 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern, TDI will discuss issues with key staff from FCC's Disability Rights Office. Topics discussed include: Affordable connectivity program Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)...
FCC Acts To Ensure Access To Communications Services For Incarcerated People With Disabilities
TDI agrees and we were overjoyed when we learned that on September 29, 2022, the FCC Chairs have passed the Rates for Interstate Inmate Calling Services, WC Docket No. 12-375, Fourth Report and Order and Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (September 29, 2022). What does this mean? This recent order affirms the right to access communications for deaf and people with disabilities while incarcerated. FCC now requires all communication access providers who are eligible for TRS funds in any correctional facility that has broadband connection and a part of the carceral system with more than 50 incarcerated people to have to provide access to all relay services including VRS; as well as point to point video calls using ASL.
FCC Improves Emergency Alert System Messages
Emergency Alert System Messages. As I sign this video, Hurricane Ian has ravished our coastal cities and wreaked havoc. How can we ensure accessible communication services will be available? Our FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, “it is important to know that when we turn on the television screens to get information about an impending weather event or other disaster there is both a recorded EAS message and a text crawl.” TDI agrees. On Sept. 29th, FCC updated their Emergency Alert Systems to require EAS participants to check to make sure they have the most updated technology available that provides detailed information.
TDI Board Announces CEO Resignation
TDI Board Announces CEO Resignation. The TDI Board of Directors announces TDI CEO Eric Kaika’s decision to transition away from the role of CEO effective October 1, 2022. Kaika notified TDI of his resignation earlier this week and continues in a consultative role to support the transition. Kaika noted, “While I certainly will miss working at TDI, I look forward to the new career opportunities before me as well as spending additional time with my family. I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary experience over the past six years. TDI has played an invaluable role in my life.”
TDI’s Policy Comment Filings
FCC Filing: The Next Gen TV and Advanced Television Systems
The Next Advanced Television Systems technology is coming soon! TDI, with the support of the Samuelson-Glushko Technology Law & Policy Clinic, has been monitoring its progress. Several Accessibility Advocacy and Research Organizations have partnered with us to ensure continued accessibility in next generation technology.
FCC Filing: Interoperable Video Conferencing Services
Interoperable Video Conferencing Services Accessibility Advocacy and Research Organizations. TDI, along with the listed consumer groups below, filed a comment to the Federal Communications Commission's Public Notice. This filing regarding the interoperable video...
Ex Parte FCC Filing: Accessibility Coalitions
Supporting Accessibility Coalitions. TDI met with various organizations in several groups and submitted ex parte letters to the Federal Communications Commission related to accessibility concerns. The critical importance of accessibility in children's programming...
FCC Filing: Application of Global Caption, Inc. as Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service
HLAA, with the assistance of TDI's legal representation, filed a comment to the Federal Communications Commission about Global Caption, Inc.'s application for the certification as a Provider of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service. Internet Protocol...
FCC Filing: Application of Rogervoice for Certification as a Provider of IP Captioned Telephone Service
IP Captioned Telephone Service: Rogervoice's Application for Certification Hearing Loss of America (HLAA), with the assistance of TDI's legal representation, filed a comment to the Federal Communications Commission about Rogervoice's application for certification as...
FCC Filing: Application of NexTalk For Certification as a IP Captioned Telephone Service Provider
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), with the assistance of TDI’s legal representation, filed a comment to the Federal Communications Commission expressing their concerns about the Commission’s approach to reviewing and approving the ASR-based provider certifications. Specifically, IP Captioned Telephone Service Provider certifications. In previous comments with similar ASR-provider certification applications, we continued to raise concerns related to minimum requirements that ASR providers should have included available information for ASR offerings to the public. NexTalk is the next one that we currently see that is similar to previous applications.
The Latest on TDI’s Programs
TDI Apple Product Giveaways!
Once you are done with both surveys, you are automatically eligible to participate in the drawing for Apple product giveaways! We will give away Apple products such as iPad Air, Apple air tags, Apple Watches, Apple gaming switch, and much more! Only a dozen winners...
Complete Two TDI 24th Biennial Conference Surveys
Complete Two TDI 24th Biennial Conference Surveys! We saw about 300 registrants at our TDI 24th Biennial Conference! We knew there were some technological hiccups here and there and we will work on them for our next conference. Still, we heard some good compliments...
The Conclusion of 2021 Biennial Conference
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="4693" img_size="Full"][vc_custom_heading text="The Conclusion of 2021 Biennial Conference" use_theme_fonts="yes"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="4973" img_size="thumbnail "][vc_column_text]TDI...
2021 TDI Biennial Awards
[vc_section css=".vc_custom_1498536538982{padding-top: 45px !important;padding-bottom: 45px !important;}"][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="4656" img_size="900x900" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]TDI’s Awards ceremony was hosted during its biennial...
Introducing: The 2021 TDI Scholarship Winners
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="4656" img_size="Medium" alignment="center"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Carrying over the scholarship announced in 2019, the scholarship program is designed to encourage deaf and hard of hearing...
TDI 24th Biennial Conference – LAST CHANCE
TDI Board
Responding to the Black Lives Matter Movement: A Statement of Solidarity
TDI stands in solidarity with minority and marginalized communities seeking a more just and equitable society. The tragic and needless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting protests nationwide shine a light on how much work remains to build the...
Remembering Dr. Roy E. Miller, Former TDI Board President (1997-2013)
Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI) is saddened to learn a former Board member and officer, Dr. Roy E. Miller passed away on Thursday, March 12 in Albuquerque, NM. His partner Carol Sliney (also a former TDI Board member...
TDI Board Fills Three At-Large Seats
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The TDI Board has appointed three individuals to fill the vacant At-Large seats. These three individuals are: Dr. Mei Kennedy of Austin Texas, Dr. Tina Childress of Champaign, IL, and Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa of Jefferson City, MO. All...
TDI Board Hosts Retirement Party for Claude Stout
TDI's Board of Directors invites colleagues, stakeholders, friends and family to a reception honoring Claude Stout for his 23 years of accomplishments with TDI. The retirement party starts at 7pm on April 3rd at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, MD. Everyone is...
News From Our Affiliated Partners
Charter Supporting Students, Schools & its Communities
As we continue to feel the impact of COVID-19, Americans are relying on high speed broadband more than ever before. Charter wants to do what it can to help ease the strain during this challenging time, particularly for students who are relying on distance learning....
AAPD Shares Action Alert — Congress: Include People with Disabilities in COVID-19 Relief!
As disability right advocates, you’ve made countless calls to your elected officials. You know how to make your voice heard. Now, we need you to do something different: use email and social media to tell your members of congress, Mitch McConnell, Chuck...
Job Opportunity: Virginia Relay Manager
Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) is looking to fill a lead position for direct oversight of the federally mandated Telecommunications Relay Service (Virginia Relay). The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) works to...
Congratulations to the Newly Elected Officers of DHHCAN
TDI shares its congratulatory remarks to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN) for its recent elected on new term officers for their executive board. Chairperson Zainab Alkebsi of NAD, Vice President Eric Kaika of TDI, Secretary Marcia Zisman...
Senators Markey and Capito Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Educational Opportunities for Visual and Hearing-Impaired Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Giselle Barry (Markey) 202-224-2742Kelley Moore (Capito) 202-228-1462 Washington (October 23, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation that will...
TDI FCC Filing: Consumer groups do not object to NAB and NCTA’s request to extend FCC comment deadlines.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1586454242374{background-color: #b7d9f4 !important;}"]CLOSED CAPTIONING CG 05-231 -- Closed Captioning of Video Programming; CG RM-11848 -- TDI Petition for Rulemaking: Live Closed Captioning Quality Metrics and the...
FCC-related news
TDI ENDORSES CONTINUANCE OF ROSENWORCEL AS FCC CHAIR
FOR MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Eric Kaika [email protected] TDI ENDORSES CONTINUANCE OF ROSENWORCEL AS FCC CHAIR Jessica Rosenworcel has been approved to continue serving as FCC Chair Washington, D.C. [December 9, 2021] — On December 7, Jessica Rosenworcel was...
Advocates Press FCC for Functional Equivalence
This article is reprinted with permission of Warren Communications News. Do not further redistribute without written permission from Warren: www.communicationsdaily.com, 202-872-9200 or [email protected] Original article can be found at:...
FCC Extends COVID -19 Waivers of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Rules
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) extends the temporary waivers of certain rules governing telecommunications relay services (TRS) through August...
FCC Announces Appointment of Membership for Fourth Term of Disability Advisory Committee
The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces the appointment of members for the fourth two-year term of the Commission’s Disability Advisory Committee (DAC or Committee) and announces the first meeting of the new DAC term. The...
Accessibility Advocates Draft Accessibility Agenda for 2021 FCC Transition Team
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In consultation with Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), and the...
FCC Announces Winners of Chairman’s Awards for Advancements in Accessibility
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) celebrated the 2020 winners of the Chairman's Awards for Advancements in Accessibility (Chairman's AAA) through a live-streamed virtual event on Thursday October 8. The Chairman's AAA...
Industry-Related News
Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet
Company Opens Xfinity WiFi Network Nationally for Free, Offers Unlimited Data for Free, Confirms Its Commitment to Connecting Low-Income Families PHILADELPHIA – March 13, 2020 – On the heels of offering new, low-income Internet Essentials customers two months of free...
Comcast Offers ASL Customer Service
Comcast and CSD partnered to launch customer service support in ASL for all Comcast products and services including Xfinity Internet, Internet Essentials, and billing related questions. This new service called "ASL Now" is made possible by Connect Direct, a subsidiary...
Comcast Expands Internet Essentials
Comcast announced that its Internet Essentials program – the largest, most comprehensive, and most successful broadband adoption program for low-income Americans – has been expanded to include all qualified low-income households in its service...
Conclusion of the 2019 TDI Biennial Conference
TDI hosted its 23rd Biennial Conference at Kellogg Conference Center and Hotel on Gallaudet University. It was a record-setting event with over 300 people registered for the three-day event. The Biennial Conference hosted speakers representing various parts of the...
Comcast Launches Eye-Control For The Television
Comcast announced new X1 Eye Control feature, which empowers customers with physical disabilities to navigate their television using just their eyes. Using a web-based remote control paired with an X1 set-top box, customers who use eye gaze or other...
Verizon, the National Disability Leadership Alliance and Getty Images Announces: The Disability Collection
Verizon, the National Disability Leadership Alliance and Getty Images Announces: The Disability CollectionPeople with disabilities make up about 20% of the population, yet they are featured in less than 2% of the images we see in the media. Verizon, Getty Images and...