911 - Text

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the nation’s four largest wireless carriers have committed to speeding up the availability of text-to-911 services. Major deployments of the services are expected to occur in 2013, and the carriers have committed to nation-wide availability by May 15, 2014.

The ability to text 911 will benefit people with disabilities such as hearing loss or speech impairments, or people who are in danger and unable to speak. The FCC says the Text-to-911 will complement rather than replace voice technology, and recommends that consumers use the voice system when possible.

Sprint Wireless recently announced that it has started a four-week trial of the new 911 texting technology in Vermont, saysUrgent Communications.

The carriers have committed to providing customers with “bounce back” text messages in areas where the service will not be available during the phase-in stage. The text tells customers that their text message was unsuccessful and advises them to make a voice call to a 911 center The “bounce back” capability will be fully implemented across the four networks by June 30, 2013.

“This is good progress, but our work is not done," said FCC Chairman Genachowski. “The FCC will consider further actions to advance text-to-911 for all consumers. We will also take additional steps in this area next year, including closely monitoring carriers’ compliance with the commitments they have made ... and addressing other aspects of Next Generation 911 such as enabling transmission of photos and videos to 9-1-1 centers. We are also working to strengthen the resiliency and reliability of the existing 911 system, where significant deficiencies were revealed by this summer’s Derecho.”

The Commission will work with 911 authorities, PSAPs, the Emergency Access Advisory Committee, public safety organizations, disability organizations, consumer groups and industry on the implementation of these services.

New FCC Complaint Form: Internet Captioning of TV Programs

New FCC Complaint Form: Internet Captioning of TV Programs

Wed, 12/05/2012

On January 12, 2012, the FCC adopted rules requiring captioned programs shown on TV to be captioned when re-shown on the Internet.
These rules implement provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).
The FCC recently modified its complaint form 2000C.  You can now use this form to file complaints about closed captioning of TV programs re-shown on the Internet.   If you wish to file a complaint on this issue,please complete form 2000C online.
Before filing your complaint, please check the following schedule to determine whether the TV program you viewed on the Internet must be captioned:
The following deadlines apply to video programming that a distributor shows for the first time on the Internet (newly added to the distributor's inventory of Internet video programming):

• September 30, 2012:  Pre-recorded video programming that is not “edited for the Internet” must be captioned on the Internet if it has been shown on TV with captions since September 30, 2012.  “Edited for the Internet” means the TV version has been substantially edited.  Examples of such editing are:  deleting scenes or altering musical scores.  (Changing the number or duration of commercials is not considered “editing” for this purpose.)
• March 30, 2013:  Live and near-live video programming must be captioned on the Internet if it is shown on TV with captions on or after March 30, 2013.  Near-live video programming is programming that is performed and recorded less than 24 hours before being shown on TV for the first time.
• September 30, 2013:  Pre-recorded video programming that is substantially edited for the Internet must be captioned if it is shown on TV with captions on or after September 30, 2013.

This schedule and more information about the FCC’s rules on video programming delivered over the Internet are summarized in the FCC Consumer Guide:
Captioning of Internet Video Programming  -   (HTML Version)     (PDF Version)

December Meeting: December 8, 2012 

                                   1:00PM-3:00PM

Where: Gregg’s Restaurant

              4120 Quaker Lane, (Route 2), North Kingstown, RI

Topic: Holiday Party and Yankee Swap

We are bringing back the tradition of our Annual Holiday event after a two year hiatus!  After a very brief business meeting, we will dine, and then begin our annual Yankee Swap.  Bring a gift that costs no more than $5 for the swap. Gregg’s will seat us in a private room and let us order with separate checks.

We will have real-time captioning to make sure that everyone can participate. Please join us!

Directions: Exit 5 off Route 4 towards Wickford: Use link below for mapquest:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=No.+Kingstown&state=RI&address=4120+Quaker+Lane

Library Project

HLA-RI had formed a  Library Committee ( James Litvack, Anne McDonald, Betsy Beach and Tina Thompson) to explore an option of collaborating with the Cranston Library to increase its section of books and DVDs relating to hearing loss. For some of you, you may recall that Paul Holliday who was a long time member of HLA-RI passed away a year ago. Paul had been employed by the Cranston Library for many years.

We are pleased to announce a 5 year program where HLA-RI will donate $100.00 each year with a recommended selection of titles for the library to purchase. The Director Ed Garcia, Assistant Director , Ann Osbon and the Adult/Information Services Coordinator, Beth Johnson were thrilled with this proposal particularly as it would be known as a memorial to Paul Holliday. The library will place  a placard inside of each book the following : " Donated by Hearing Loss Association of Rhode Island in Memory of Paul Holliday".

Below is the press release submitted by the Cranston library to the local and library media:

CONTACT: Edward Garcia, Library Director

401-943-9080 ext. 103

edgarcia@cranstonlibrary.org

RE: Cranston Public Library partners with Hearing Loss Association of Rhode Island to promote awareness of hearing loss

(CRANSTON, RI) The Cranston Public Library is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Hearing Loss Association of Rhode Island (HLA-RI) to promote awareness of hearing loss.  This collaboration is in honor of the late Paul Holliday who was a long time and valued employee of the Cranston Public Library and formerly an active member of HLA-RI.

Paul Holliday was a Librarian at the Cranston Public Library, working at the library for 22 years. He passed away in June 2011 after a long illness.

The intent of this collaboration is for HLA-RI to make a financial donation for the next five years for the Cranston Public Library to purchase books and DVDs for the Paul Holliday Memorial Collection on Hearing Loss to increase access on information relating to this very important topic. The Hearing Loss Association of RI has already provided an initial donation of books towards the collection.

HLA-RI is under the umbrella of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) which is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 36 million Americans which are 17 percent of the population have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis. HLAA is involved with communication access, public policy, research, public awareness and service delivery related to hearing loss.

HLA-RI is a consumer group that offers educational presentations, and peer support to its members.  The chapter also provides public awareness to educate people on the importance of prevention, treatment and regular hearing screenings.  This new collaboration with the Cranston Public Library will help to support the need for increasing awareness and knowledge of hearing loss for all citizens in Rhode Island.

From the FCC: Captioning of Internet Video Programming

From the FCC: Captioning of Internet Video Programming : A simple explanation of the changes in internet video programming that went into effect last month and the format for filing complaints.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/captioning-internet-video-programming

Captions on Netflix Streaming - Major Update!

Netflix and the National Association of the Deaf Reach Historic Agreement to
Provide 100% Closed Captions in On-Demand Streaming Content Within Two Years

Netflix Inc. and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a non-profit
organization, have submitted a joint Consent Decree to a federal court in
Springfield, Mass., ensuring closed captions in 100% of Netflix streaming
content within two years.

NAD, along with the Western Massachusetts Association of the Deaf and
Hearing-Impaired (WMAD/HI) and Lee Nettles, a deaf Massachusetts resident,
brought suit against Netflix seeking that commitment in 2010.
..........

Read on: http://tinyurl.com/9xpefg6

November Meeting

Next Meeting: Saturday November 10, 2012 10:00 Am-12:00 PM

Where: Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN)

              1210 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

Topic:  Med-El’s Presentation on Cochlear Implant

Join us with Jeanne Fredriksen, M.Ed, CED, from MED-EL, who will speak at the November 10 meeting about the most current generation of implantable hearing devices. She’ll discuss who qualifies, and how these devices can help. She will also touch on the rehabilitation process. There will be a Med-El user there as well

Jeanne Fredriksen M.Ed., CED, is a Senior Consumer Outreach Manager from MED-EL Corporation. Jeanne is a retired Special Ed. Director and Principal of an Oral School for the Deaf. She has over 35 years working in the field of hearing loss. In her role with MED-EL, she travels the Northeast region helping others to learn about new technology and rehabilitation materials that are available for those with all levels of hearing loss.

So bring your questions as this will be an interactive discussion .

There will be CART