News & Filings

Staying Informed: TDI’s News & Filings Page on Recent Developments and Advocacy Efforts for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities

All Recent Articles

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.”

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.

TDI’s Policy Comment Filings

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 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. 

FCC Filing: Biennial CVAA 2022 Report

TDI, along with the listed consumer groups below, filed a comment in the response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice regarding the 2022 Biennial CVAA Report. 

The Latest on TDI’s Programs

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 Day 4 – Overview

TDI 24th Biennial Conference Day 4 – Overview

The final day of the conference will be all community forums addressing major issues that we’ve identified as needing significant attention in today’s rapidly changing information and communication technological landscape. We’ll start off with Gaming for Access with...

TDI Board

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...

TDI Board President Sheila Conlon-Mentkowski Says Farewell

TDI Board President Sheila Conlon-Mentkowski hosted her biennial President's Reception on Thursday August 15, 2019 during the TDI Conference. The Board President uses this event to share the organization's accomplishments, future goals, financial health, and other...

Claude Stout Announces Intent to Retire

TDI Executive Director, Claude Stout, submitted his official notification letter to the TDI Board of Directors announcing his intent to retire on May 29, 2020. His retirement date will mark 23 years of service as a dedicated advocate and policy player for the deaf and...

News From Our Affiliated Partners

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

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...

FCC-related news

Industry-Related News

Comcast Expands Internet Essentials

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

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...

Use an Antenna to Watch Local TV? Make a Plan to Rescan!

If you’re one of the more than 72 million viewers nationwide who watch local TV stations for free with an antenna, you may soon have to rescan your TV or converter box to make sure you keep getting all the local news, weather, sports and entertainment you enjoy. The...

Apple Expands Coding Resources: Coding Concepts Video in ASL

Readers of TDI World 49.1 may recall reading an article titled "Apple Reaches Out to Schools for Deaf and Blind". We highlighted Apple's newest coding curricula, "Everyone Can Code" and how it teamed with educators from the deaf and blind communities to begin teaching...

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