TDI hopes you are safe and healthy at home and with your families during this challenging time. We recognize the COVAD-19 pandemic is creating a unique and surreal health emergency affecting all individuals across America, especially those who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deafblind, and deaf plus.
Our thoughts are with the deaf and hard of hearing Americans who have been adversely affected, particularly those who are sick, we wish them a quick and full recovery.
As a leading national consumer advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that we experience full access in information and communication, we are working around the clock to monitor and assess concerns/data about the virus across the nation. We are monitoring how well we are getting information and communication via accessible means.
We want to update you on what TDI’s plans are, and how we’re supporting our employees, our community, and our constituents.
- TDI has been operating as a virtual organization for four years now. We have successfully completed hundreds of projects remotely and have the tools and methodology in place to continue working and advance the interests of the deaf and hard of hearing community. If you need to get in touch with us, email us at [email protected]. We will continue to share updates by posting them on our website (TDIforAccess.org) and social media. We will be releasing the 2020 Blue Book and the next TDI World magazine by late-April.
- TDI is postponing the retirement party for the outgoing Executive Director (April 3), the Training Institute (April 7), and the Board of Associates meeting (April 8), and we will announce a new set of dates to happen in the fall.
- The TDI Board of Directors will continue with its Board meetings on April 3-5, but via video conferencing.
- The FCC held a meeting last Monday with TDI and other leaders of the national consumer advocacy groups to debrief them of their plans, related to: its Keep Americans Connected Initiative, waiving certain TRS rules to facilitate VRS at-home call handling, and providing flexibility to TRS providers to ensure the continued provision of these vital services. All other TRS rules remain in effect at this time. Here is the FCC’s press release, sent out yesterday: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-363076A1.pdf
- We salute the Governors of many states, and mayors of large metropolitan cities for holding press conferences on the virus with sign language interpreters on stage by the podium. We are very appreciative of the support to disseminate information in American Sign Language, in addition to captions. Here below is the link to the latest video of the North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s press conference on the pandemic: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article241199286.html
TDI encourages everyone to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to prioritize their well-being by practicing social distancing, frequently washing their hands, monitoring their health, and staying home or seeking care if they feel ill.
A wonderful video in ASL was created by ASL Services explaining everything you need to know about the Coronavirus (COVAD-19).
We hope you and your families stay healthy and we appreciate your support in keeping our community safe during these unprecedented times.