Click here to download Purple’s Petition asking for clarification
Click here to download Tony Coehlo’s letter
Click here to download consumer organizations’ letter Click here to download Purple’s Ex Parte (summary of meetings with FCC)
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September 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Coehlo wrote, “Today, conference calls play a major role in connecting companies with their clients and employers with their employees throughout the Nation.”
It’s too bad he didn’t mention MLM participants. At any rate, conference calls are justified only if they’re legitimate. It’s a shame relay providers are using its own employees and loopholes. It would’ve sufficed if point-to-point calls were conducted in ASL during the entire process of setting up a relay account.
It was shocking and appalling I had to converse with hearing persons via HOVRS in order to complete an account registration process involving Purple’s HOVRS. The whole process was beyond exhausting for even that of myself.
For example, if a person is involved with multi-level marketing (MLM) (e.g. Amway Global) and participates in a live call offered by the training/motivation organization that person must file for clearance with an independent overseer of relay ethics in order to be eligible to participate in this kind of call. I know this appears like a hassle but relay is free and judging from the scandals and what not such as former video interpreters setting up white/private-labels left and right (258VRS with LifeLinks to name one) the VRS part appears to be very lucrative. We need to cooperate.
The MLM participant will need to produce information such as earnings verifying whether or not they’re compensated in any form for using the relay service. This is a part of many verification process supposedly used as neutral means of stamping out fraudulent activities benefiting relay providers. Additionally, entities sponsored by relay outfits must be investigated periodically to make sure all is kosher. (e.g. DeafNation with many and Deaflympics involving Viable).
September 17th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I agree completely that rules needs to be cleared up. I am glad that TDI, NAD and other organizations and Purple is pushing for this. Why isn’t Sorenson and other providers doing the same thing? Will they file a letter in support?
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Given that the FCC has partially denied the said petition, while refusing comment on the rest citing ongoing investigations and the fact that civil and criminal laws are applicable, what’s Purple going to do now?
Still think the rules are ambigious?
Take it to the courts?
September 24th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Purple is pleased that the Eight Consumer Organizations supported our petition for rule-making seeking to clarify, among other things, rules governing the reimbursement of minutes from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund (the TRS Fund) for multiparty calls between deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and persons who may or may not have such disabilities.
We were disappointed that the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC issued an Order dismissing the Company s petition with respect to the Company s request concerning multi-party calls and statement that calls not involving a hearing individual are not compensable.
The Company believes that the dismissal of the Company s petition by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, without full review and approval of the Commissioners, was inappropriate and Purple intends to file for reconsideration by the full Commission with an application for review, and, if necessary, to judicially or administratively appeal the Order in the appropriate venue.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
hey nhi my anme is annette neel from alabama i want to know why you close our right look at other people who fight for cancer aids handcapped all of things that must be signed up but why you want to close the vrs relay serivice look at people who asked obama to help bad encoming why dont you ask fcc or other if obama support deaf right he might be mad at you so you fcc must must keep open all the time you are not whT IF YOUR FUTRE CHILDREN MIGHT BE DEAF HOW WILL YOU FEEL LIKE THAT WELL KEEP OPEN KEEP OPEN KEEP OPEN KEEP OPEEEEEEEEEEEEN ALL THE TIME THANKS ANNETTE
October 27th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
hey one more time i claaped for you all for sign up and fight to keep open for service let me tell you that how would fcc family if they have deaf family why wud fcc close up and no serice how can fcc have deaf family feel well who those have deaf family will not accept the fcc close the service and thank who fight agsinst the ffc i hope fcc will look in the future and wish they did in the past so thanks you again annette