v1.0 - 20050426 Telecommunications Industry AssociationTR41.3-11-02-006.

v1.0 - 20050426

Telecommunications Industry Association TR41.N.n-YY-MM-XXX

Document Cover Sheet

Project Number

Document Title FTRI, TEDPA, and Amplified Telephone Performance Standards

Source Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI)

Contact James Forstall FTRI

Phone: 850-205-1470

Email: [email protected]

Distribution TR-41.3

Intended Purpose of Document (Select one)

For Incorporation Into TIA Publication X For Information Other (describe) -

The document to which this cover statement is attached is submitted to a Formulating Group or sub-element thereof of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.4.1–6.4.6 inclusive of the TIA Engineering Manual dated October 2009, all of which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference.

Abstract

This presentation is being provided to TIA TR41 to inform TIA of the activities of FTRI and TEDPA and how TIA may be able to provide service to the hard of hearing community by the establishment of standards related to amplified telephone performance.

Telecommunications Industry Association TR41.3-11-02-006

TIA Quarterly Meeting – February 10, 2011TIA Quarterly Meeting – February 10, 2011

Florida Legislation

Telecommunications Access System Act (TASA) of 1991 (Chapter 427, Section III, Florida Statutes) states:

All persons have the right to basic telecommunication services at reasonable affordable costs.

Who Is FTRI?

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.

• A private not-for-profit organization

• Established by telephone companies as directed by the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC)

• Governed by Board of Directors (telephone companies)

• Located in Tallahassee

• NOT a state agency

TASA Funding Monthly surcharge (11 cents)

All telephone landlines in Florida Businesses pay on the first 25 lines Does not collect from wireless providers

Surcharge collected by local telephone companies

Funds sent directly to FTRI to pay for:

Florida Relay Service (711) Monthly Invoice Outreach

FTRI Equipment Distribution / Training Outreach Administrative

• In the 2007 Report to the Governor submitted by the FCCDHH (www.fccdhh.org) it’s was estimated that Florida has approximately 3 million residents with hearing loss.

• Floridians who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Challenged may benefit from telecommunication access offered through the FTRI programs:

– Florida Relay (711)

– FTRI Equipment Distribution Program

Facts about Florida Residents

Florida Relay (711)

• Communication LinkConnects people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Challenged to standard telephone users and vice versa.

• Calls are processed by a Relay CACaller Assistant interfaces between caller and receiver to relay the message.

• All calls (conversations) are strictly confidentialNo phone records are kept.

• Available 24 hours, 365 days a year.

Florida Relay (711)Types of Customers

TTY/TDD

• Is for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Challenged.

• Allows a person to type his or her own conversation through the relay CA who then voices aloud the typed conversation to a hearing person.

Voice Carry-Over (VCO)

• VCO allows deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who prefer to use their own voice to speak directly to the party they are calling.

• The CA will type the voice responses back to the VCO user who reads the typed message across the text screen

Florida Relay

Types of Customers

CapTel (enhanced VCO)

Florida Relay (711) Types of Customers

Speech-to-Speech (STS)

• Speech to Speech allows individuals with speech challenges to use their own voice, while utilizing the assistance of specially trained CA to make their calls.

• When spoken words become difficult to understand, the CA assists verbally, making communication between both parties as clear and personal as possible.

Equipment Distribution Program

RDC # 8

FTRI Regional Distribution Centers

RDC # 2 – League for the Hard of Hearing (Ft. Lauderdale)

RDC # 3 – Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)

RDC # 4 – ES Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services (Daytona Beach)

RDC # 5 – Independent Living Resource Center (Jacksonville)

RDC # 7 – Center for Independent Living in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale)

RDC # 8 – Center for Independent Living of South Florida (Miami)

RDC # 9 – Citrus Hearing Impaired Program Services (Crystal River)

RDC # 10 – Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of Pasco/Hernando (Port Richey)

RDC # 12 – Deaf & Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay (Seminole)

RDC # 13 – Community Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Manatee/Sarasota Co (Sarasota)

RDC # 14 –Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (Gainesville)

RDC # 15 – disability Solutions for Independent Living (Daytona Beach)

RDC # 16 – Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of the Treasure Coast, Inc. (Port St. Lucie)

RDC # 17 – Deaf Service Center of SW Florida (Ft. Myers)

RDC # 18 – Center for Independent Living of Central Florida (Winter Park)

RDC # 19 – Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center (Lakeland)

RDC # 20 – Space Coast Center for Independent Living (Cocoa)

RDC # 21 – Hearing Impaired Persons in Charlotte County (Punta Gorda)

RDC # 22 – Deaf Service Center of Lake & Sumter Counties (Leesburg)

RDC # 23 – Area Agency on Aging (Tallahassee)

RDC # 24 – CIL – Disability Resource Center (Pensacola)

RDC # 25 – Disability Resource Center (Panama City)

RDC # 26 – Hearing and Speech Center of Florida (Miami/Kendall)

RDC # 2

RDC # 5

RDC # 3

RDC # 4

RDC # 24

RDC # 9

RDC # 10

RDC # 12

RDC # 13 RDC # 16

RDC # 17

RDC # 18

RDC # 19

RDC # 20

RDC # 21

RDC # 22

RDC #23

2/2/10

RDC # 7

RDC # 14RDC #25

FTRI Tallahassee

RDC # 15

RDC #26

Hours of operation may vary from RDC to RDC.

New Client Served

During FY 2009/2010 FTRI served 18,185 new clients. Clients certified as eligible for the FTRI program are classified into four distinct groups:

Group New Clients

Deaf 70

Hard of Hearing 17,923

Speech Challenged 161

Dual Sensory Impaired 31

Total 18,185

To date, FTRI has served over 440,000 new clients in Florida. With a population of nearly 3 million individuals with some degree of hearing loss, FTRI still has large number of people to reach.

New Client Age Groups

The 2009/2010 breakdown of new recipients by age group is as follows:

Age Group Recipients

4 – 9 18

10 – 19 53

20 – 29 46

30 – 39 97

40 – 49 317

50 – 59 841

60 – 69 2,550

70 – 79 4,972

80 – 89 6,976

90 – 99 2,220

100 – 109 89

DOB not provided 6

Total 18,185

More people in the 80 to 89 age group received equipment than those of any other specific age group. Approximately eighty percent of all recipients served in this fiscal year were seventy years of age or older.

New Clients Served Chart

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

New ClientsServed

2011 Projection

Based on 2nd Quarter Ended December 31, 2010, New Clients Served is 12,800. If current trend continues, a 41% increase over previous year ended June 2010 may be realized.

Total Services Provided

During FY 2009/2010 FTRI provided 41,188 services. Four of the main type services are categorized below:

Group New Clients

New 18,185

Modifications 1,170

Exchanges 16,658

Returns 4,503

Total 40,516

Equipment Distributed

FTRI distributes both new and refurbished equipment. Equipmentdistributed during fiscal year 2009/2010 numbered 36,044 units. The monthly equipment distribution average was 3,004.

ARS6.8%

TTY0.7%

VRS2.7%

Other4.2%

VCPH85.6%

Over 835,000 pieces of equipmenthave been distributed since 1991.

Specialized Telecommunications Equipment

Features• Volume control

adjustment• Tone control• Loud ringer (85-90dB)

• Flashing ringer• Large buttons• Backlit keypad• Memory dial

Amplified Telephones

Clarity XL-40

(40 dB)

ClearSound CSC-40 (40 dB)

Clarity XL-50

(60 dB)

Clarity W425 Pro (45 dB)

www.tedpa.org

• Formed in 1997 with 11 states attending the first meeting in Florida to organize

• Second year membership doubled

• Membership fluctuates between 28 - 35 states

Mission Statement

The mission of TEDPA is to convene for the purpose of information exchange and to assist one another with the administration of specialized telecommunication equipment distribution programs for persons with disabilities. 

To educate its members about state and federal regulatory issues and to advocate for changes when they seem to be in the interest of improved quality and efficiency of specialized telecommunications equipment and related programs. 

To share information about program administration, to share cost-effective ideas and techniques, and to promote ideas about community outreach.

To provide representation to other professional, technical and consumer organizations desiring input. To actively examine and advance discussion about issues pertaining to specialized telecommunications equipment when appropriate as determined by TEDPA members, prepare items for membership review and submit advisory opinions about those issues.

To perform other functions that me be deemed appropriate by TEDPA members. The association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

Types of Equipment Distribution Programs (EDP)

Loaner - state EDPs own the equipment and is able to refurbish and redistribute equipment that are returned. State EDPs are responsible for maintenance and repair. RFPs are conducted to obtain best price. The majority of the state EDPs are loaner program.

Voucher – state EDPs assign a limited value to a voucher and issue to qualified individuals who becomes owner of the equipment and is responsible for maintenance and repair. Some states re-issue vouchers to active clients every five years, some less. Voucher are accepted by pre-approved retailers only.

Combination – depending on equipment.

Membership Benefits

Listserv

WebsiteResourcesSurveysProprietary information

Annual Conference

Networking

Vendor Exhibit

Workshops

Latest technology Best PracticesNew equipment LoanerServices Voucher

Concerns

Questions

James Forstall, Executive DirectorFlorida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.

1820 E. Park Avenue, Suite 101Tallahassee, FL 32301

[email protected]

www.ftri.org

Thank you!