[nfb-talk] FW: FCC ANNOUNCES E9-1-1 DISABILITY ACCESS SUMMIT

[Christopher McMillan]

-----Original Message-----
From: FCC-ConsumerNews [mailto:FCC-ConsumerNews at fcc.gov] 
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 12:09 PM
Subject: FCC ANNOUNCES E9-1-1 DISABILITY ACCESS SUMMIT

FCC ANNOUNCES E9-1-1 DISABILITY ACCESS SUMMIT

	The FCC will hold a Summit to focus on E9-1-1 calling and access for
persons with hearing and speech disabilities on Wednesday, November 15,
2006.  Last year, the Commission initiated a proceeding seeking comment on
how the Commission can ensure that consumers using  Internet-based forms of
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), specifically Video Relay Services
(VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay (IP Relay), can access emergency services
in the same way as all other consumers.  In the Matter of Telecommunications
Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech for Individuals with Hearing and Speech
Disabilities, FCC 05-196, 20 FCC Rcd 19,476 (2005).  Internet-based TRS
calls do not originate on the PSTN and therefore present unique challenges.
The E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit is intended to provide an opportunity to
explore challenges and potential solutions for users of Internet-based TRS
services to access Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) by calling 9-1-1.


	The goals of the Summit are: 
(1) To identify the various types of direct Internet-based E9-1-1 access
that people with hearing or speech disabilities need;  
(2) To identify the technologies, services, and applications through which
access should be offered; and 
(3) To define the technological, policy, and commercial issues involved in
providing the needed access to persons with hearing and speech disabilities.


	Participants will include representatives of other federal agencies;
state and local emergency service providers; telecommunications and TRS
industry; hearing and speech disability advocates; and FCC staff.  Lessons
learned from this Summit will help the FCC design and focus efforts to
improve emergency communications access for persons with hearing and speech
disabilities.  The Summit is open to the public and seating will be
available on a first-come, first-served basis.  The Summit will include
panel discussions on the following three topics:  needs of the hearing and
speech disability communities; state of technology; and, interim options and
solutions.  

The summit date, time and location are: 

Date & Time:  Wednesday, November 15, 2006 
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location:  		Federal Communications Commission
			Commission Meeting Room, TW-C305
			445 12th Street, SW.
			Washington, DC 20554

Facilities:

The FCC is located at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.  Directions
and a map of the streets near the FCC are available at
http://www.fcc.gov/portalsmap.html. The Commission Meeting Room is equipped
with a Wi-Fi Internet network, an assistive listening device system, and is
accessible to persons with disabilities. 
 
Security:

Please note that the FCC is a federal building with security requirements.
All attendees will be required to pass through security and present a
government-issued form of identification.  The FCC's Commission Meeting Room
will be opened early to facilitate access to the building.  Attendees are
encouraged to allocate additional time to enter the building.  

Webcast & Video:

The Summit will be webcast live and also archived for later viewing.  Access
to and additional information concerning the webcast is available at
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/.  Open captioning will be provided for the
webcast.
  
Reasonable Accommodation:

Open captioning and sign language interpreters will be provided for this
event.  Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are
available upon request.  Include a description of the accommodation you will
need including as much detail as you can.  Also include a way we can contact
you if we need more information.  Make your request as early as possible.
Last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fill.
Send an e-mail to fcc504 at fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau: For reasonable accommodations:  202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432
(TTY).  For accessible format materials (Braille, large print, electronic
files, and audio format): 202-418-0531 (voice), 202-418-7365 (TTY).

For more information about the E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit, please
contact Cheryl King at 202-418-2284 (voice) or Cheryl.King at fcc.gov
(E-mail).  
To request this document, or other materials in accessible formats for
people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an E-mail to fcc504 at fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0531 (voice), 202-418-7365 (TTY).  



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Sincerely, 
 
Christopher McMillan
Rehabilitation Engineer
chrismcmillan at earthlink.net 
203 404 7275                                          Work Number
203 286 2156                                          Fax Number
Chrismcmillan                                           Skype Username
chrismcmillan at earthlink.net                     Windows Messenger Username


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