American Association for the Deaf-Blind Action Alert: Support SB 3304, “Equal Access to 21st Century Communications”
American Association for the Deaf-Blind Action Alert: Support SB 3304, “Equal Access to 21st Century Communications”
American Association for the Deaf-Blind
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 121
Silver Spring, MD 20910
TTY: 301-495-4402
VP: 301-563-9107 VP
Voice: 301-495-4403
Fax: 301-495-4404
Email: [email protected]
June 08, 2010
ACTION ALERT!
Please let your Senators and the Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet know that you support Senate Bill 3304, "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications" today!
What is Senate Bill 3304 (S 3304)?
S. 3304 (Equal Access to 21st Century Communications) will help people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind, blind, visually impaired, or speech impaired, including senior citizens and injured veterans, to:
- get $10 million of Universal Service Funds every year to help deaf-blind people get specialized equipment;
- use Lifeline and Link-Up subsidies (federal assistance) to help pay for broadband services (this is for people who can't afford broadband for email, Internet or relay services);
- use relay services to call anyone;
- communicate using digital real-time text (this means every letter typed is sent and you don't have to wait for text to show up). This is especially important in emergencies;
- communicate with others in digital real time text like a TTY phone conversation on your computer or pager. It is different from and faster than using IM;
- have TV programs on the Internet or video devices of any size show closed captions of any size;
- have a closed caption button on remote controls
- see visual displays of emergency information
Access to advanced communication products and services is very important. Please ask your Senators and Subcommittee members to make sure S. 3304 provides all access to Internet voice communication products and services.
These include services like Skype-type calls, video conferencing communication, SMS text messaging, e-mail, and instant messaging. Companies must take action that is not a significant difficulty or expense (an "undue burden") to make their products and services accessible.
Sample Letter:
(you can add or change the letter to add your own reasons why you want S 3304).
Subject: S. 3304 Equal Access to 21st Century Communications
Dear Senator and Member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet:
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (July 2010) by making the "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act" (S. 3304) the strongest legislation possible. S. 3304 will enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind, blind, visually impaired, or speech impaired, including senior citizens and injured veterans, to:
- get $10 million of Universal Service Funds every year to help deaf-blind people get specialized equipment;
- use Lifeline and Link-Up subsidies (federal assistance) to help pay for broadband services (so people who can't afford broadband for email, Internet or relay services can have broadband access);
- use relay services to call anyone;
- communicate using digital real-time text (this means every letter typed is sent and you don't have to wait for text to show up); this is especially important in emergencies;
- have TV programs shown on all Internet or video device of any size show closed captions;
- have a closed caption button on remote controls;
- see visual displays of emergency information.
Access to advanced communication products and services is essential. Please make sure S. 3304 provides access to Internet voice communication products and services (such as Skype-type calls), video conferencing communication, SMS text messaging, e-mail, and instant messaging. Communications companies must take action that is not a significant difficulty or expense (an "undue burden") to make their products and services accessible.
Please show your support for updating the Communications Act so that I am not left behind!
Sincerely,
[Your Name and Address]
Subcommittee Senators Contact Information
You can use the sample letter to contact these Senators:
[email protected];Contact your Senators and Subcommittee members today! We do not want to be left behind in the world of technology.
Support Equal Access for Everyone!