Wednesday, July 7, 2010

AADB Alert --

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American Association of the Deaf-Blind

July 2, 2010
Dear Kathy,

H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward and Leaves People who are Deaf-Blind Behind

On June 30, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet considered the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act" (H.R. 3101). Rick Boucher (D-VA), chairman of the Subcommittee, offered an "Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute" (a new H.R. 3101) which replaced the original bill.
The new H.R. 3101 is missing an important provision funding for specialized communications equipment needed by people who are deaf-blind, such as refreshable Braille devices. That funding, up to $10 million per year, was not included in the new H.R. 3101. The Subcommittee voted favorably on the new H.R. 3101. The bill will be considered next by the full Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Possible funding sources, for up to $10 million per year, include the Universal Service Fund and the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund. These funds were created to ensure that all Americans have access to the nation's communications network.
Deaf-blind people cannot afford to buy expensive equipment to help them access the phone and Internet. For example, the Deaf-Blind Communicator, which enables deaf-blind people to make telephone calls, access the Internet and communicate with other people who otherwise could not communicate with them, costs $8,000 alone.
Although a few states have equipment distribution programs, most do not distribute equipment that meets the needs of people who are deaf-blind. A secure and consistent source of funding is needed to assure that the communication needs of this small, discrete, and un-served population are met. This community does not have the political presence to ensure annual appropriations from Congress.
By restoring Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101, you will ensure that approximately 70,000 deaf-blind people get the specialized equipment needed for them to have telecommunications services, Internet access, and advanced communications.

Act today!

Contact House Energy and Commerce Committee members and tell them you want Section 105 (b) back in H.R. 3101.
Here's what you can do:
  1. Call or fax the members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee now and ask them to put back Section 105 (b) in H.R. 3101.
  2. If any of these committee members live in your district, please call them and make appointments with them in person to talk about H.R. 3101. Ask to talk to their legislative assistants in charge of telecommunications. You can find their addresses on www.house.gov.
Call them today! Or deaf-blind people will be further, further and further behind!

House Energy and Commerce Committee (in alphabetical order by State)

Parker Griffith (R-AL-5)

  • 202-225-4801 Voice
  • 202-225-4392 Fax
  • Huntsville-Decatur (81)

Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-14)

  • 202-225-8104 Voice
  • 202-225-8890 Fax
  • San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (6) & Monterey-Salinas (124)

George Radanovich (R-CA-19)

  • 202-225-4540 Voice
  • 202-225-3402
  • Fresno-Visalia (55)

Henry Waxman, Chair (D-CA-30)

  • 202-225-3976 Voice
  • 202-225-4099 Fax
  • Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Westlake Village

Mary Bono Mack (R-CA-45)

  • 202-225-5330 Voice
  • 202-225-2961 Fax
  • Los Angeles (2) & Palm Springs (142)

Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT-5)

  • 202-225-4476
  • No fax available
  • Hartford-New Haven (30) & New York (1)

Cliff Stearns (R-FL-6)

  • 202-225-5744 Voice
  • 202-225-3973 Fax
  • Jacksonville (47) & Gainesville (160) & Orlando (19)

John Shimkus (R-IL-19)

  • 202-225-5271 Voice
  • 202-225-5880 Fax
  • Champaign-Springfield-Decatur (84) & St. Louis (21) & Terre Haute (152) & Cape Girardeau (78) & Evansville (102)

Baron P. Hill (D-IN-9)

  • 202-225-5315 Voice
  • 202-225-6866 Fax
  • Evansville (102) & Indianapolis (25) & Cincinnati (33) & Louisville (49)

Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3)

  • 202-225-4031 Voice
  • 202-225-3354 Fax
  • Lafayette (123) & New Orleans (51) & Baton Rouge (95)

Bart Stupak (D-MI-1)

  • 202-225 4735 Voice
  • 202-225-4744 Fax
  • Duluth-Superior (139) & Marquette (180) & Green Bay (70) & Traverse City-Cadillac (117) & Alpena (208)

Fred Upton (R-MI-6)

  • 202-225-3761 Voice
  • 202-225-4986 Fax
  • Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo (41) & South Bend-Elkart (91)

Mike Rogers (R-MI-8)

  • 202-225-4872 Voice
  • 202-225-5820 Fax
  • Flint-Saginaw-Bay City (68) & Detroit (11) & Lansing (115)

Roy Blunt, Deputy Ranking Member (R-MO-7)

  • 202-225-6536 Voice
  • 202-225-5604 Fax
  • Joplin-Pittsburgh (147) & Springfield (74)

Lee Terry (R-NE-2)

  • 202-225-4155 Voice
  • 202-225-5452 Fax
  • Omaha (76)

G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1)

  • 202-225-3101 Voice
  • 202-225-3354 Fax
  • Greenville-New Bern (103) & Raleigh (26) & Norfolk-Newport News (43)

Robert E. Latta (R-OH-5)

  • 202-225-6405 Voice
  • Columbus (34) & Toledo (73) & Cleveland (18) & Dayton (65)

Zachary T. Space (D-OH-18)

  • 202-225-6265 Voice
  • 202-225-3394 Fax
  • Columbus (34) & Cleveland-Akron (18) & Wheeling-Steubenville (159) & Charleston-Huntington (63)

Bart Gordon (D-TN-6)

  • 202-225-4231 Voice
  • 202-225-6687 Fax
  • Nashville (29)

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7)

  • 202-225-2811 Voice
  • 202-225-3002 Fax
  • Memphis (50) & Jackson (173) & Nashville (29)

Joe Barton, Ranking Member (R-TX-6)

  • 202-225-2002 Voice
  • 202-225-3052 Fax
  • Houston (10) & Dallas-Fort Worth (5) & Waco (89) & Tyler-Longview (109)

Rick Boucher (D-VA-9)

  • 202-225-3861 Voice
  • 202-225-0442 Fax
  • Tri-Cities (93) & Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill (156) & Roanoke-Lynchburg (67) & Greensboro (46)

Peter Welch (D-VT-AL)

  • 202-225-4115 Voice
  • No fax available
  • Burlington-Plattsburg (94) & Boston (6) & Albany Schenectady (57)
Thank you for your support!
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  • TTY: 301-495-4402
  • VP: 301-563-9107 VP
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  • Fax: 301-495-4404
  • Email: aadb-info@aadb.org
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