[sasi] Fw: AADB's Action Alert -- Contact your Senator Today!

[Rita Kersh]

American Association of the Deaf-BlindFYI
----- Original Message ----- 
From: American Association of the Deaf-Blind 
To: hoosierrita at comcast.net 
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 12:00 PM
Subject: AADB's Action Alert -- Contact your Senator Today!


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      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:

        a.. get $10 million of Universal Service Funds every year to help deaf-blind people get specialized equipment; 
        b.. 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); 
        c.. use relay services to call anyone; 
        d.. 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; 
        e.. 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; 
        f.. have TV programs on the Internet or video devices of any size show closed captions of any size; 
        g.. have a closed caption button on remote controls 
        h.. 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:

        a.. get $10 million of Universal Service Funds every year to help deaf-blind people get specialized equipment; 
        b.. 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); 
        c.. use relay services to call anyone; 
        d.. 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; 
        e.. have TV programs shown on all Internet or video device of any size show closed captions; 
        f.. have a closed caption button on remote controls; 
        g.. 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:

        a.. meagan_foster at begich.senate.gov; 
        b.. michael_vehr at lemieux.senate.gov; 
        c.. clint_odom at billnelson.senate.gov; 
        d.. michael_quiello at isakson.senate.gov; 
        e.. margaret_cummisky at appro.senate.gov; 
        f.. leslie_bolz at brownback.senate.gov; 
        g.. abbey_mayer at vitter.senate.gov; 
        h.. matthew_hussey at snowe.senate.gov; 
        i.. daniel_schill at klobuchar.senate.gov; 
        j.. hugh_carrol at wicker.senate.gov; 
        k.. david_toomey at mccaskill.senate.gov; 
        l.. patrick_lehman at johanns.senate.gov; 
        m.. david_quinalty at ensign.senate.gov; 
        n.. david_quinalty at ensign.senate.gov; 
        o.. kevin_cummins at tomudall.senate.gov; 
        p.. jeff_murray at demint.senate.gov; 
        q.. brendon_plack at thune.senate.gov; 
        r.. jay_williamson at warner.senate.gov; 
        s.. michael_daum at cantwell.senate.gov
      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!

        
     
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