Policy/Advocacy Milestones

 

9-1-1; TRS; Federal, State & Local Laws; Deaf History

 

US GOVERNMENT REGULATES TELECOMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA

 

1934      Congress passes the Communications Act, which includes a provision requiring the recently established Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure universal service ... so far as possible to all the people of the United States with rapid efficient, nationwide and worldwide wire and radio communications" and to regulate all interstate and foreign electrical communication systems originating in the US.

 

1958      President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs Public Law 85-905, which created the forerunner to the Captioned Media Program (CMP) with funding from the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), now the US Department of Education.

 

1962      President John F. Kennedy signs Public Law 87-715, which authorized CMP to handle research, training, production, acquisition and the distribution of educational media.

 

1964      Gallaudet College becomes 100 years old.

 

1965      President Lyndon B. Johnson approves Public Law 89-258, which authorized the distribution of media equipment by CMP.

 

BIRTH OF TELECOMMUNICATION RELAY SERVICES

 

1966      James Marsters and Andrew Saks establish two relay centers in California.  Marsters demonstrates the TTY technology to the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration to solicit government support.

 

1967      FCC settles Carterfone lawsuit by ordering telephone companies to revise policy to allow the use of consumer-provided equipment such as TTYs.  Telephone/Teletype Communicators of St. Louis establishes third relay service in the country.

 

1968      President Johnson issues order adopting the American Standard Code for Information Exchange (ASCII) as a federal standard, a step toward minimizing costly incompatibility among Federal computers and telecommunication data systems.  Robert F. Kennedy and Martin L. King both assassinated.  The Heart is a Lonely Hunter film premieres.  Special Olympics begin first games.

 

1969      Neil Armstrong becomes first man on the moon in Apollo 11 space flight.

 

1970      New answering services in Washington, DC, Detroit & Indianapolis.  The US Office of Telecommunications Policy, an executive branch office, was formed to study long-range policy alternatives and make recommendations to Congress and FCC.

 

1971      IRS rules that the cost of TTYs and modems are tax deductible as medical expense.  TTYs are installed in Dallas and Los Angeles police departments to receive emergency calls from deaf citizens.

 

DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT ENTERS THE PICTURE

 

1972      Two lives were saved because someone used a TTY to get aid.  First Center for Independent Living (CIL), a disability rights resource and advocacy center opens in Berkeley, California.

 

1973      President Richard M. Nixon signs Rehabilitation Act.  FCC terminates Computer Inquiry initiated in 1966 to resolve regulation and policy problems presented by independence of computer and communication facilities and services and deems pure telecommunications to be regulated, not data processing.

 

1975      President Gerald Ford signs Education of All Handicapped Children Act.  National Center for Law and the Deaf (NCLD) opens at Gallaudet College. 

 

1976      FCC, Amtrak, IRS, and other federal agencies install toll-free TTY numbers.  HEW receives authority from Congress to award grants for the purpose of demonstrating new telecommunications technologies.  FCC saves Line 21 of television vertical blanking interval for closed captioning.

 

SECTION 504 GOES INTO EFFECT

 

1977      Certain provisions of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act go into effect.  Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are signed, which lists reasonable accommodations including TTY access.  Members of Congress as well as state and local elected officials install TTY's in their offices for their constituents.  Police departments, hospitals & utilities also add TTY numbers for their citizens.  NCLD files comments with US General Services Administration (GSA) on TTY's in public facilities and petitions FCC for Rulemaking regarding Telecommunications Services and Charges for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Citizens, leading to a yearlong inquiry into the telecommunication & computer access needs of deaf & hard of hearing people.  California mandates that disability population receive full and equal access to telephone facilities.

 

1978      Rehabilitation Act of 1973 amended to establish comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs.  US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (US Access Board) begins to include eliminating communication barriers as part of their mission.  US General Accounting Office issues report recommending a study into the effective ways for deaf and hard of hearing citizens to communicate with the government and raises concerns about the ASCII/Baudot incompatibility.  CSD begins local 24/7-relay service in Sioux Falls, SD.  California & Michigan pass laws for TTY leasing.

 

1979      Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH) founded.  Prototype for the single channel cochlear implant was developed.

 

1980      FCC makes second computer inquiry into the needs of deaf and hard of hearing consumers and approves AT&T's request to lower long distance rates for TTY users.  12 states allow reduced rates for interstate long distance TTY calls.  California begins free TTY distribution program for deaf residents.  National Association of the Deaf (NAD) celebrates 100 years.  Deaf actress, Phyllis Frelich wins Tony for role in Children of a Lesser God play.

 

1981      The International Year of Disabled People.  More than 30 states allow reduced rates for intra-state long distance TTY calls.  President Ronald Reagan appoints H. Latham Breunig for the National Council on the Handicapped, which created the National Policy on Disabled Persons, a forerunner of the ADA.

 

1982      National Year of Disabled Persons.  Telecommunications Act passed by Congress mandating that the FCC consider how to assure reasonable access to telephone service by people with disabilities.  Ron Mace starts Universal Design movement.

 

1983      AT&T petitions state commissions to remove tariffs on special telephone equipment for deaf and hard of hearing users.  Canada gives $600 vouchers to deaf and hard of hearing to purchase TTY's.

 

PHONE MONOPOLY ENDS – DEREGULATION BEGINS

 

1984      US Department of Justice rules AT&T break-up, forming one long distance company and seven regional Baby Bell companies.  The US Access Board issues research findings that show Federal institutions to be inaccessible to TTY users and finds that computers can make excellent TTYs, but not while other programs are running.  President Reagan appoints David Meyers to second term on the Access Board that researches present and future TTY technology and pushes for TTYs in public facilities.  The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to citizens with disabilities during federal elections.

 

1985      State telecommunication equipment distribution programs intensifies competition among TTY manufacturers

 

1986      FDA approves sale of 22 channel cochlear implants.  Deaf actress, Marlee Matlin wins Oscar for role in Children of a Lesser God film. Gallaudet College attains University status.  The Air Carrier Access Act is signed into law, including rights for air travelers with disabilities.

 

1987      California opens first 24/7 statewide toll-free relay service in US.  Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) founded.

 

DEAF PRESIDENT NOW LEADS TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES

 

1988      Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University leads to selection of I. King Jordan as the first deaf president.  President Reagan signs Dual Party Relay Service Act to expand the Federal Relay Service and also signs the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act to enhance federal telecommunication services for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. Bostonian Hotel becomes the first hotel in Massachusetts to be fully accessible to people with disabilities.  The Fair Housing Act was amended to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities seeking housing.

 

1989      President George H.W. Bush makes first call on expanded Federal Relay Service.  Judge Harold Greene waives long-distance restrictions for the "Baby Bells" allowing them to provide relay services.  Gallaudet University celebrates 125th year by hosting Deaf Way.

 

1990      The first President Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Television Decoder Circuitry Act.  ADA forbids discrimination based on disability in employment, government services (including 9-1-1 emergency services) and public accommodations.  ADA also requires all phone companies to provide relay services (Title IV) and mandates that the FCC establish and enforce minimum standards for telecommunication relay services (TRS).  The Association for Late Deafened Adults hosts ALDACon II in 1990, which is the first totally accessible conference for both deaf and hard of hearing people, including sign language interpreters, captioning and CART.

 

1991      US House of Representatives begins captioning its floor proceedings on C-SPAN.  The US Dept. of Education sponsors national conference on local news captioning.

 

1992      49 states and DC establish 24/7 TRS services.

 

ADA TRS RULES GO INTO EFFECT

 

1993      Title IV (Telecommunications) of The Americans with Disabilities Act takes effect.  The Television Decoder Circuitry Act also takes effect mandating decoder chips in all sets 13" in diameter or more, and preserves captioning functions whenever television technology is upgraded.  Illinois installs payphones with TTYs in 11 rest areas on interstate highways.  US Sprint awarded contract to operate Federal Relay Service.  Canada reserves three-digit number 7-1-1 for TRS calls.  The NAD forms the Telecommunication Advocacy Network to lobby for access in telecommunications.

 

1994      Miss Alabama, Heather Whitestone (McCallum), who is deaf, chosen as first Miss America with a disability.

 

1995      The FCC establishes the Disabilities Issues Task Force to ensure that the needs of TTY users are considered along with other needs of disability groups in relation to all telecommunication issues.  FCC initiates TRS campaign with Heather Whitestone-McCallum. Sprint conducts video relay interpreting trials in Texas.

 

1996      President William J. Clinton signs Telecommunications Act of 1996 into law, paving the way for telecommunications industry to consolidate operations within the local and long distance telephone sectors.  FCC issues hearing aid compatibility regulations for regular and cordless telephones but exempts wireless handsets temporarily.

 

1997      FCC makes available the 7-1-1 number for easier dialing access to TRS; issues regulations on captioning in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and requires wireless carriers to forward all 9-1-1 calls.  New databases allow TTY users to develop profiles of personal preferences and long distance billing information to speed TRS calls.

 

1998      FCC reconsiders portions and strengthens captioning regulations in Section 713 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and demonstrates Speech-to-Speech (STS) TRS for speech-impaired.  Several towns distribute pagers to deaf citizens for tornado and severe weather warnings.

 

SECTION 255 REGULATIONS SPUR DEVELOPMENT

 

1999      The FCC develops regulations covering Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which has a potential impact similar to the ADA in the Information Age.  The goal of Section 255 is to ensure access to telecommunications equipment and services by consumers with disabilities where readily achievable, including voice mail systems and interactive menus used by small and large businesses.  The Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee of the US Access Board develops rulings on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1998 mandating accessibility without undue burden.  Section 508 requires specifications in Federal contracts for telecommunications equipment and services procurement to include accessibility by Federal workers and the public seeking information and services from the government.  President Clinton also signs the Work Incentive Improvement Act allowing persons with disabilities to retain Medicare benefits when they reenter the workforce.  Maryland becomes the first state in the continental United States to implement the three-digit 7-1-1 TRS number, which led to an increase of 41% in calls initiated by voice users.

 

2000      The FCC mandates increased accessibility of video programming to viewers with hearing disabilities during local emergencies and overhauled TRS rules to improve access to telephone service for people with hearing and speech disabilities, requiring increased quality standards, providing for STS relay and funding for VRS and ensuring that TRS keeps up with the Information Age.  The FCC hears public comments during forums for A New FCC for the 21st Century involving telecommunications access issues.  The FCC also issued rulings on compatibility of digital television receivers and cable systems.  FCC's Disability Rights Office launches new publications for consumers with disabilities online and in print.

 

SECTION 508 BRINGS MORE OPPORTUNITIES

 

2001      George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States and launches New Freedom Initiative increasing funding and access to assistive technology.  Chairman Michael Powell takes over the reins of the FCC upon the resignation of William Kennard.  FCC forms new Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee.  7-1-1 goes into effect nationwide along with Speech-to-Speech and Spanish TRS services.  FCC extends deadline for coin-sent payphones and digital cell phone compatibility with 9-1-1 and TTYs.  FCC reminds long distance companies of their TRS obligations, voice mail and interactive menu industry of their accessibility obligations, and television broadcasters of their emergency news accessibility requirements.  FCC approves AOL/Time Warner merger with the condition that future versions of AOL's popular instant messaging (IM) software must be interoperable with competing IM software as long as they retain dominant market share.  Section 508 becomes effective requiring that the federal government procure information technology products and services that are accessible to federal employees with disabilities as well as the public seeking government services.  The US Department of Justice reports success in removing barriers to local government services as part of its ongoing Project Civic Access.  Congress allocates funding for pilot CART training program.

 

2002      The FCC authorizes recovery of costs from NECA for all Internet based TRS calls, leading to an explosion of IP-Relay and Video Relay options.  Congress provides grants to train more broadcast captioners.  EEOC office in Ohio faces complaints from deaf people regarding unanswered TTY calls.  10,000 people attend Deaf Way II Conference in Washington, DC.  Former TDI Board Member Pam Holmes and former FCC Commissioner William Kennard join Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees.  Justin Dart, international disability rights leader and Father of the ADA completes his mission and dies.  FCC receives report from Alliance of Telecommunication Industry Solutions on successful rollout of digital handsets that are compatible with TTYs and allow VCO calls.  Connecticut scientist charged in $7.9 million scheme involving fraudulent TRS operation.  CART upheld as reasonable accommodation under the ADA.  Video description dealt setback when DC Appeals Court ruled that the FCC had no authority to implement regulations.  Deanna Bray stars in F.B. Eye, a television series based on Susan Thomas’ real-life experiences while working for the FBI.

 

2003      FCC approves Ultratec’s CapTel as an enhanced voice-carry-over TRS service and other TRS enhancements such as Call-Waiting; Call-Release; 900-number Dialing and other SS7 platform features.  For emergencies, TRS calls to 9-1-1 must be routed to the nearest appropriate PSAP, not necessarily the geographically closest PSAP.  Also, the FCC established an interim reimbursement rate for Video Relay Service providers, but it was less than what NECA had originally proposed.  Manufacturers and service providers are required to offer hearing aid compatible digital wireless handsets within three years. AOL gets approval from FCC to upgrade AIM with video because of declining market share.  Christy Smith, a deaf woman from Colorado shows her mettle on Survivor, a popular reality TV show.  Another new prime-time TV show, Threat Matrix, premieres in the fall with a deaf actress, Shoshannah Stern.