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Deaf Groups Seek Changes to Draft VRS Rules; Sorenson Seeks Other Tweaks

Groups representing deaf and hard of hearing and Gallaudet University asked the FCC to rethink a videophone provision in the video relay service report and order and Further NPRM set for a vote by commissioners Thursday. Others also made late…

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filings in docket 10-51 posted through Friday. The agency proposes to require VRS providers to obtain, from anyone responsible for ensuring compliant use of a videophone, certification that the responsible individual “will make reasonable efforts to ensure that only registered VRS users are permitted to use the phone for VRS calls,” the filing said: That's likely to result in restricted access to enterprise videophones by deaf and hard of hearing and speech-disabled individuals who may not be registered in the telecom relay services user database. Telecommunications for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the National Association of the Deaf, Cerebral Palsy and Deaf Organization and Hearing Loss Association of America were among signers. Sorenson asked that the item be revised “to be more explicit with respect to service and non-service related equipment” covered.