Latest version of technology bill leaves deaf-blind behind

Category: News and Views

Post 1 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010 14:46:30

The more signatures we can get on this the better. Please, help!
On June 30, 2010, the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology
and the Internet removed Section 105 (b) from HR 3101, the 21st
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, which
allocates $10 million in funding to help deaf-blind people purchase
expensive equipment that will enable them to have access to
telecommunications.

To fight this move, you have two options:

Option 1:

The online petition can be found at:
http://aadb.convio.net/site/R?i=TB3W4nbCiAojqHqCK8Aa4w.. .

This is by far the easiest and fastest way to get your signature and
thought across to your representatives and the President of the United
States.

All you need to do is to give your full name, email address and zip
code. You can also request that your name, email address or both not
to be posted on the website.

Option 2:

Perhaps you would like to help spread the word about the petition.
The petition in MS Word is available and be downloaded at
http://aadb.convio.net/site/R?i=G_XTYpDyQLVLsL7-IbnsyQ.. .
You can forward the petition to as many people as you think will sign
the petition and forward it to your representative or the AADB office.
Or you can just sign it yourself and send it to your representative
or the AADB office.

Please note: For the MS Word version, you will need to write down your
full name, address, and a quick way to contact you (such as a phone or
fax number or an email address).

If you need further help or have questions filling this out, feel free to reply. Thank you for reading, and for any support! The deaf-blind population appreciates it!

Post 2 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Thursday, 15-Jul-2010 14:26:45

I opted on #1

and take note that:
Sign the Petition 1,309 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

A Person may also: Add your public comments (optional):

This entire process takes only about 5 minutes to complete

~Connie

Post 3 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 15-Jul-2010 18:47:55

I signed the online petition, as well as had the site send my personalized letter to my congresspeople by email and regular mail. Hopefully it can make some difference.

Post 4 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Saturday, 17-Jul-2010 11:23:11

At latest check: 1,681 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

Keeping this topic at the top of the Boards

To important to get loss in the shuffle

Yes, SisterDawn....

Lets be involved for, Making A Difference,

A Positive Difference...

Not Afraid to Take A Stand For A Positive Difference

and Willing To Take A Few Moments To Take This Stand

~Connie

Post 5 by cattleya (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Saturday, 17-Jul-2010 15:07:23

Just did it myself, and sent notice to friends, family, and my State Services For The Blind worker...HTH.

Post 6 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Saturday, 17-Jul-2010 17:21:44

Thank you all for your support on this one! I don't get politically involved normally, but I think the fact that this was eliminated from the bill is beyond rediculous!

Post 7 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Saturday, 17-Jul-2010 18:18:06

Cattleya,
That's right, I forgot to mention
Thank You for bringing this to the forefront in discussion
For Yes, as you follow the process through of signing this petition
Then at the end there is a place where a person may fill in,
giving the E-mails of ones that may very well be interested in signing
this petition so it is good to have this list ready.


...You sure got that one right Sir Farts A lot
For the lawmakers to desire to eliminate this is
beyond ridiculous...
We as Tax-payers are the ones paying and I say
Give us a voice in how our Tax dollars are
to be spent.
The money is being collected anyway,
so lets make sure it is spent in a way worthwhile.
This is a cause worth campaigning for, to become politically involved in,
To become community involved in
AND
To get others involved in!

Post 8 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 18-Jul-2010 2:09:18

there have actually been a lot more signatures on this than I anticipated, and i'm glad of it. I just hope it makes a difference. I don't know how often stuff like this does, but it's definitely worth a shot. Hopefully some of these people are actually writing letters to, or calling their congress people as well.

Post 9 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 19-Jul-2010 0:00:00

I'll sign it. Anything to help, or that might help the disabled I'm on.

Post 10 by cattleya (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Monday, 19-Jul-2010 0:07:15

Same here. I've already talked with one that I sent it to, and she said she will sign it as soon as she gets to it...Mother of two elementary aged boys...

Post 11 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Tuesday, 20-Jul-2010 20:01:05

I will be receiving updates on this and will let you all know if anything gets done about it. The American Association for the Deaf-blind is trying to use all methods we can to spread awareness of this situation. Hopefully, through letters and emails, we can put this section back in to the bill!

Post 12 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Wednesday, 21-Jul-2010 19:40:31

Fantastic news! H.R.3101, The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was favorably reported out of committee and has tentatively been scheduled for House floor action early next week. The section covering deaf-blind communications has been readded! Thank you all for your help in this matter!

Post 13 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Wednesday, 21-Jul-2010 20:00:16

Super Awesome News!

I note the current count on the petition is...
1,843 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

We really need to keep this up though
so there is no slack.

Please Sir Farts A Lot
Keep the updates coming...
Sure hoping for BEST that this goes through.

~Connie

Post 14 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 10-Oct-2010 7:56:45

As I understand it from the ACB list I am on, the bill has been put into law as of last week. My question: How many years before anybody from the FCC and other big organizations makes the web and TV accessible to us? Even though it's law now, can't corporations say it is too expensive to make the web sites and TV menus accessible to us? Just asking.