Gallaudet's Chapel Hall with U.S. Capitol dome in backgroundGallaudet's new logo with TAP wording below
VoIP, Localism Hearings, HAC Wireless, and Volume Control

To: Consumer Contact List
Karen Peltz Strauss, RERC-TA
Re: Consumer Contact List - VoIP, Localism Hearings, HAC Wireless, Volume Control

Date: March 15, 2004

1. Voice Over IP and Other IP-Enabled Services - The FCC has released its proposed rules on regulating what it is calling "IP-enabled" services. The url for the item is below. The paragraphs in this NPRM that pertain to disability access are paragraphs 58-60. The Commission specifically asks about the following:

- whether its rules on Section 255 should extend to IP-enabled services. The FCC refers commenters back to the further notice of inquiry that it released on IP Telephony when it issued its Section 255 rules back in 1999. In part, it seeks to refresh the record begun in that proceeding. In addition, it seeks input on the extent to which other IP-enabled services should be regulated to preserve disability access.

- the extent to which IP-enabled services will improve traditional services intended to ensure access by people with disabilities. In this regard, the FCC notes that in its relay docket, it found that Congress intended to interpret the term "telephone transmission services" broadly. It was that broad definition that resulted in authorization of IP Relay and VRS, both of which use the Internet to convey relay messages.

- input on how decisions made on this VoIP proceeding will affect contributions to the TRS fund.

IP ENABLED SERVICES. Proposed examining issues relating to services and applications making use of Internet Protocol, including VoIP services. Seek comment on the impact that IP-enabled services have had and will continue to have on the US communications landscape. (Dkt No. 04-36).
Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 12/12/2004 by NPRM. (FCC No.
04-28). WCB


<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A6.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A5.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-28A6.txt>

2. Next Localism Hearings - The FCC has announced that its next localism hearings will be in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 26, 2004. These hearings are being held around the country to enable the FCC to hear from communities about what they would like to see in television programming. The hearings are a good opportunity for individuals who use captions and video descriptions to provide feedback to the FCC on their accessibility needs, and especially access to emergency programming. At the last hearings held in San Antonio, at least two deaf people shared their thoughts on access issues. A link to the notice about the upcoming hearings is listed below.

FCC LOCALISM TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES DATE OF RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA HEARING, RM 10803. News Release. News Media Contact: Michelle Russo at
(202) 418-2358, Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0654 MB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-244629A2.txt>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Schedule of Reporting Dates for Wireless Carriers and Manufacturers with Regard to Hearing Aid Compatibility - On August 14, 2003, the FCC put into place new rules requiring wireless carriers and manufacturers to make certain of their digital wireless services and equipment accessible to people with hearing aids and cochlear implants. That ruling contained reporting requirements. This notice (links are listed below) sets the timetables for the submission of these reports.

Released: 03/08/2004. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY REPORTING DATES FOR WIRELESS CARRIERS AND HANDSET MANUFACTURERS. (DA No. 04-630). (Dkt No 01-309). WTB. Contact:
Andra Cunningham at (202) 418-1630 or Greg Guice at (202) 418-0095, TTY:
(202) 418-7233
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-630A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-630A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-630A1.txt>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Order Granting Waiver of Volume Control Reset Rule - The FCC has granted Clarity a waiver of the volume control reset rule. This rule requires that phones capable of providing amplification greater than 18 dB automatically reset to a volume lower than 18 DB when the phone is hung up. Clarity had requested permission to equip its phones with an override switch, so that users do not need to reset the phone each time they pick it up. In 2001, the FCC adopted conditions for receiving this type of volume control reset waiver. The Commission has now determined that Clarity has met the conditions for this waiver. A link to the Order is listed below.

CLARITY, A DIVISION OF PLANTRONICS, INC. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF VOLUME CONTROL RESET, 47 C.F.R. SECTION 68.317(F). Granted the Petition for
Waiver with conditions. Action by: Chief, Disability Rights Office,
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. Adopted: 03/05/2004 by ORDER.
(DA No. 04-622). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-622A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-622A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-622A1.txt>



This page last updated:March 15, 2004

Black Line Back to home page

Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict

Optimized for a width of 800 - This page last updated: July 12, 2018
© Copyright 2007 by the Technology Access Program - All Rights Reserved