After the shutdown of Purple Communications IP-Relay Service, I've been waiting patiently for Sprint Relay to contact me with a new registration number and ability to make relay calls.

Sprint Relay requires a Driver's Licence or State Photo I.D. & a copy of the utility bill where you live. I sent those but only showed company name and our address (no account number, amount owing and such). Today I get an email saying to contact Customer Service to finish the registration. They asked a series of questions such as High School, College attended, mother's maiden name, etc. With each question, the knot in my stomach grew tighter as they get more personal. They requested a better copy of the Utility Bill with more information on it. I lied and said I'll do that later.

As soon as I finished with Customer Service I went to the FCC.gov site and tried to search for information on why the FCC (allegedly) needs all this information just for me to make a damn phone call? With no answers in the search, I went ahead and filed a complaint form:

"I would like to know why the FCC (according to Sprint Relay) is requiring new registers to provide a Drivers Licence or Photo ID and a copy of a Utility Bill as proof of person? Then a series of questions based on their "search" which feels like a violation of privacy. There must be a better way to be able to make an IP relay call without having to expose everything about myself! Please provide your reasons for requesting these information if they are in fact valid? IF not, please look into Sprint Relay and their inquest into our lives!"

Here's an excerpt their reply:

"Among other things, the interim rules required each IP CTS provider, in order to be eligible for compensation from the Fund for providing service to new IP CTS users, (i) to register each new IP CTS user by obtaining the consumer’s name, address, and telephone number; (ii) to obtain from each consumer a self-certification regarding the consumer’s understanding of and need to use IP CTS" 

Here's their reason for the implementation of these rules:

"the Commission initiated a rulemaking proceeding to address the misuse of IP Relay 
and VRS.1 The Commission noted that it was concerned that people without a hearing or speech disability were taking 
advantage of the anonymity of the IP Relay service by calling merchants to place orders using 
fake, stolen, or otherwise invalid credit cards. Such abuse drains the Interstate TRS Fund and 
harms legitimate consumers whose calls are rejected by individuals and businesses that have 
been the victims of such misuse."

Well there you have it! Stupid idiots abusing the system! It's hard enough to convince people that it's a relay call from a Deaf consumer, you have these idiots faking it for criminal use!

As much as I hate sharing private information, I need to rely on Relay Services for every day family management.

Tracy,
One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

What is the fascination with Sign Language? The seamless motion of hands moving to convey understanding between Deaf people seem to have the "hearing" world enthralled. More and more people are wanting to learn ASL and I encourage that, but I do want to state some grievances and advice.

• Take a class from a Deaf teacher. What better way to learn than from a fluent Native Signer? Too often in colleges and schools these teaching jobs go to hearing people.
• Don't take a Sign Language class if you don't plan on being around Deaf people. One reason, simply put is "if you don't use it, ya lose it". I meet people now and again who say "oh I took Sign Language in High School, but now I don't remember any", then why did you take it? Secondly, if you're not around Deaf people you will not build up your "receptive" skills (watching others sign) as well as never understanding Deaf Culture in all it's glory.

• f you're a new student (Level One or Two) please do not assume you can start teaching others and start posting YouTube video lessons!! Too often I scroll through videos and see them signing a lot of basic words wrong! For example, the sign for "please" is a flat hand over the middle of your chest and moving it clockwise, but I've seen one user put her hand up on her shoulder! If this is a video assignment for homework for your class, please state so in the description.
• ASL (American Sign Language) Music Videos, they're great if they're done by Deaf perfomers who put a lot of time and effort and skill into making these videos. But are not appreciated when done by Hearing "wannabes". I don't mind those that just want to do it for their own entertainment but please put a disclaimer in your description that you're just doing it for fun. It really irks me the few hearing people out there stating "if you want more videos like this send $$", or getting accolades and recognition for their attempts. (I say attempts because some I see aren't really good signers in the first place). THIS is what a good ASL Video is like:

• Stop with the misconception that ASL is just a "translation" of English. It is in fact a recognized language with it's own grammar and syntax, rules, etc. It takes just as long to learn ASL as any other language like Spanish, German, etc.
• Don't assume that ASL is universal. Every country has it's own version of Sign Language. ASL isn't even universal across the United States! Every place has it's regional variant for a sign, just like English does. For example a Sub sandwich - Hoagie, Hero, Grinder, Po'Boy, Rocket, Blimpie, etc. 

Well there you have it. I'm not trying to discourage you from learning to Sign. I encourage it, we need more Signers out there!

Tracy,
One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

After filing my complaint with the FCC I received this e-mail today:

"Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding IP Relay service.  On October 15, 2014, Purple Communications, Inc. notified the FCC that it will cease providing IP Relay service as of 5 p.m. EST on November 14, 2014.  Last week, we assured you that the FCC was working around the clock to ensure that consumers continue to have full access to IP Relay service.  We can now report that IP Relay service will continue beyond November 14, 2014, and that Sprint is now processing IP Relay registrations from former Purple customers.  We ask for your patience as this transition occurs, while Sprint makes every effort to verify and register legitimate IP Relay users coming over to its service.   
 In addition, we wish to dispel incorrect rumors that the FCC requires TRS providers to disclose the content of what is said during TRS calls.  The FCC has never made any such requests and never will for IP Relay calls or any other TRS call.  The FCC has strict rules guaranteeing both the confidentiality of all calls and the privacy of caller information, and we will continue to enforce those rules as they apply to IP Relay or any other form of TRS.

Finally, the FCC recognizes that IP Relay service is a particularly essential form of communication for consumers who are deaf-blind.  We are actively working with consumer organizations and Sprint to ensure that people who are deaf-blind continue to have accessible ways to use this service.

We thank you for bringing to our attention your concerns about IP Relay service.  We are committed to ensuring that all Americans with disabilities have functionally equivalent telephone service, and are taking actions to fulfill this commitment. 


Sincerely,
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Disability Rights Office"

So, services are going to continue through Sprint Relay only, sounds like wait times for an operator will go through the roof with limited operators for the whole country eh?

I'm still waiting for confirmation from Sprint Relay for a new account.

We'll wait and see, but I have little faith that anything will improve.

Tracy,
"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

Just wanted to add some more things to my Post from last week that people who have commented.

Another alternative to internet relay and video relay for Deafblind would be to use a SSP (Support Service Provider) or they're also known as CF (Communication Facilitators) to assist with phone calls. This could help with scheduled calls as the SSP/CF has to be scheduled ahead of time, but this wouldn't help with things that have to be dealt with that day (emergencies, school, work).

If you're upset with the internet relay shutdowns, you can file a complaint with the FCC through this form - Disability Access Complaint. It lists several methods, online, phone, fax and mail. We need our voices heard and not be left behind again!

I'm still open to suggestions on best video relay service, what options each company offers, if they're deafblind friendly or not, "size" of screen adjustment options, etc.

We need to explore other communication options and stop the cutbacks that affect the Deafblind community.

Tracy,
"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

I just got the news that my regular Relay Service I use to make calls (ip-relay.com) will be shutting down on November 14th due to changes in FCC Codes. (For an explanation of Relay Service check out my old post). 

This is disheartening since I have poor vision I opt to use text relay instead of video relay 

There's only one Internet Relay Provider left and that's through Sprint.. I could go back to using Video Relay but I haven't used one in many years and do not know which provider is better. 

I could also use my CapTel phone which works like a standard phone but has a screen for a relay operator to type out the other person's conversation. Because of this there's an "unnatural" delay as I wait for the captions to appear and understand what's being said. So even after explaining to the caller about my phone and my "deaf accent" I still get a lot of hangups. Some days I get phone phobia and just rather not deal with any phone calls at all. Don't get me started on Government directories! By the time I find out what Option 1, 2 and 3 are, they've hung up!

It would be so much easier if there were more:

• Pop up Live Chats on Company Websites
• Directed Corporate e-mail service to go directly to the right department. I finally got an e-mail reply to a question I sent....a year ago!
• Listings of Telephone Option Directories, so you can find out what buttons you'll need to push before you start the phone call.
• Updated Technology at Companies, they've got dedicated "TTY" phone numbers for Deaf users, but I can't remember the last time I've used one!
• Patient people!

I guess I'll have to keep researching video relay companies to find which is a good fit for me.

Til then...I'm not answering the phone!

Tracy,
"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon

About a month ago we moved to a new place. It's in the same town as the kids like their schools. It's bigger, actually has a garage now, and a it's a bit closer to Hubby's work.

Even though it's been a month, I'm still unpacking things. It's not that we have so much stuff (I still wonder how we fitted all this into 875sqft. at the other place), it's that my health doesn't "permit" me to dive right in. With Chronic Kidney Disease it's like having a beautiful Dodge Dart (ok, ok a dilapidated Minivan) and having a clogged oil filter. The car'll run for a while, then it will get get sluggish and even seize up and shut down. I only have a limited energy level to do and there's cooking, cleaning and other "Momma Chores" to do besides unpack. Some days I have great energy and can get a lot done, other days I need to take long naps.

To find out about #CKD check out this link - Stage 4 Kidney Disease
To help out please check out this link - Saint John's Medical Center

Also coming up this Sunday will be my Post on Deaf Insight's Blog Under My Fingertips where I'll talk about Low Vision adaptations for the new house.

Until next time...on to the next Box!

Tracy,
"One finds limits by pushing them" ~ Herbert Simon