Disability Rights Office: Update National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program and Telecommunications Relay Service Certification Renewal Rosaline Crawford & Gregory Hlibok Disability Rights Office Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau Federal Communications Commission 1

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA): The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA):  authorized the FCC to use up to $10 million annually from the interstate Telecommunications Relay Service fund  to support programs that distribute accessible communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind. In 2011, the FCC established the NDBEDP as a two- to three-year pilot program, which was launched on July 1, In 2011, the FCC established the NDBEDP as a two- to three-year pilot program, which was launched on July 1, 2012.

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) The Perkins School for the Blind is conducting a national outreach campaign for the NDBEDP: iCanConnect.org The Perkins School for the Blind is conducting a national outreach campaign for the NDBEDP: iCanConnect.org The FCC certified 53 entities – one entity for each state, plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands – to participate. The FCC certified 53 entities – one entity for each state, plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands – to participate. The FCC allocated $50,000 to each of the 53 certified programs, plus additional funding based on the size of each state’s population. The FCC allocated $50,000 to each of the 53 certified programs, plus additional funding based on the size of each state’s population. Certified programs are reimbursed – up to their annual allocation – for equipment distributed and related services provided (such as communications assessments, equipment installation and training). Certified programs are reimbursed – up to their annual allocation – for equipment distributed and related services provided (such as communications assessments, equipment installation and training).

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) NDBEDP recipients must be “deaf-blind” as defined in the Helen Keller National Center Act; and have income that does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. NDBEDP recipients must be “deaf-blind” as defined in the Helen Keller National Center Act; and have income that does not exceed 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Equipment must be designed to make telecommunications, advanced communications, or Internet access services accessible to the deaf-blind individual. Equipment must be designed to make telecommunications, advanced communications, or Internet access services accessible to the deaf-blind individual. Equipment may be hardware, software, or applications, separate or in combination, mainstream or specialized. Equipment may be hardware, software, or applications, separate or in combination, mainstream or specialized. The NDBEDP supplements rather than supplants existing legal mandates or programs, such as special education or vocational rehabilitation, that may provide equipment. The NDBEDP supplements rather than supplants existing legal mandates or programs, such as special education or vocational rehabilitation, that may provide equipment.

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) National Outreach Campaign National Outreach Campaign  iCanConnect.org  Click on “state partners” to find the NDBEDP certified program in your state, or go to iCanConnect.org/partners.php  FCC FCC  (links to Consumer Guide and other info)  (voice) or (TTY) 

State TRS Certification Renewal Under Section 225 of the Communications Act, states wishing to establish their own programs for the provision of intrastate and interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) over the public switched telephone network may receive Commission certification to do so. Under Section 225 of the Communications Act, states wishing to establish their own programs for the provision of intrastate and interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) over the public switched telephone network may receive Commission certification to do so.

State TRS Certification Renewal All certified state TRS programs are required to provide traditional (TTY-based) TRS, interstate Spanish language traditional TRS, and Speech- to-Speech relay (STS) service. All certified state TRS programs are required to provide traditional (TTY-based) TRS, interstate Spanish language traditional TRS, and Speech- to-Speech relay (STS) service. States may also offer captioned telephone relay service (CTS). States may also offer captioned telephone relay service (CTS).

State TRS Certification Renewal States seeking renewal of their certification must include information about each of these services. States seeking renewal of their certification must include information about each of these services. This is necessary so that Commission can ensure that the provision of these services is consistent with its rules and that the state is exercising responsibility for oversight of these services. This is necessary so that Commission can ensure that the provision of these services is consistent with its rules and that the state is exercising responsibility for oversight of these services. Certification is effective for 5 years. Certification is effective for 5 years.

State TRS Certification Renewal The state certification process is intended to ensure that TRS is provided in a uniform manner throughout the United States and territories. The state certification process is intended to ensure that TRS is provided in a uniform manner throughout the United States and territories. Applications for certification renewal will be reviewed to determine whether each state TRS program has sufficiently documented that it meets or exceeds all of the applicable operational, technical and functional mandatory minimum standards set forth in section of the Commission’s rules. Applications for certification renewal will be reviewed to determine whether each state TRS program has sufficiently documented that it meets or exceeds all of the applicable operational, technical and functional mandatory minimum standards set forth in section of the Commission’s rules.

State TRS Certification Renewal The current TRS certifications for all states and territories will expire on July 26, 2013 The current TRS certifications for all states and territories will expire on July 26, 2013 Under the TRS regulations, states can apply for “renewal” one year prior to expiration, i.e., July 26, C.F.R. § (c)(1). Under the TRS regulations, states can apply for “renewal” one year prior to expiration, i.e., July 26, C.F.R. § (c)(1).

State TRS Certification Renewal Although there is no deadline for filing, renewal applications should be filed at least several months prior to the July 26, 2013 expiration, to give the Commission time to review and rule on the applications prior to the expiration of the prior certification. Although there is no deadline for filing, renewal applications should be filed at least several months prior to the July 26, 2013 expiration, to give the Commission time to review and rule on the applications prior to the expiration of the prior certification. July 25, 2012 – Public Notice released to remind the State TRS Program administrators to submit an application for renewal no later than October 1, July 25, 2012 – Public Notice released to remind the State TRS Program administrators to submit an application for renewal no later than October 1, 2012.

Timeline for State TRS Certification Renewal Process Fall 2012 – Fall 2012 –  Public Notices are issued indicating that applications have been received by the Commission and seeking comment on the filing. Fall 2012 through Spring 2013 Fall 2012 through Spring 2013  Applications for recertification are reviewed for compliance with 47 C.F.R. §§ &

Timeline for State TRS Certification Renewal Process Spring 2013 – Spring 2013 –  Deficiency letters are sent to request additional information that demonstrates compliance with the mandatory minimum requirements. Late Spring through July 2013 – Late Spring through July 2013 –  Public Notices informing states that their applications for recertification have been reviewed and certification has been renewed.

For More Information transition.fcc.gov/cgb/dro or