TDI Recognized by Gallaudet University Students in Department of Business as "Business/Organization of the Year 2002"

The Department of Business at Gallaudet University has recognized TDI as their "Business/Organization of the Year 2002."  The award was presented November 7, 2002 during the monthly Business-After-Hours event in the new Student Academic Center.  This event is an ongoing project conceived by students in the Management and Organization Behavior class. 

The award reads:

“Gallaudet University Department of Business has the pleasure to recognize TDI as one of the leading organizations in the country serving the Deaf.  For more than 30 years, this organization has demonstrated extraordinary and innovative ways to connect various governments, businesses, corporations, and communities with resources needed by those who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened Adults.”

Claude Stout, Executive Director of TDI, accepted the award saying, “TDI appreciates this special recognition by the students in the Management and Organization Behavior class.  We have always enjoyed a special working relationship with Gallaudet University in areas of research and technical assistance on telecommunications and media access.  This award means so much to TDI as we continue to make an impact on the lives of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened and deaf-blind.”

eBlue Book Updates

TDI Thanks the Corporate Sponsors of the eBlue Book

TDI wishes to acknowledge the generosity of the following corporate sponsors in making the eBlue Book possible:

-         AT&T Relay Services

-         AT&T Wireless

-         Hamilton Relay

-         MCI Global Relay  (added here shortly afterwards)

-         SBC Foundation

-         Sprint Corporation

-         Verizon

“TDI is very appreciative of the generous support by these corporate sponsors in making the e-Blue Book possible,” states TDI’s Executive Director, Claude Stout.  Mr. Stout added, "They have been very supportive in other areas of TDI’s operations such as advertising in the traditional Blue Book and The GA-SK as well as conference sponsorships. They see substantial value in supporting such a new venture that would enable TDI to extend its current programs and services on the Internet.”

The target date for this new online directory service is March 2003.  Stay tuned for more details in future TDI-L eNotes, the 2003 Blue Book, TDI’s website at www.tdi-online.org and The GA-SK News Magazine.

TDI Awards Web Design & E-Blue Book Contract to BayFirst Solutions LLC

Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) is pleased to announce that it has awarded their E-Blue Book and web design contract to BayFirst Solutions LLC, a management and technology consulting firm based in Washington, DC.  This contract was won competitively.

Under the terms of the contract, a project team from BayFirst Solutions will redesign TDI's current website and bring TDI's flagship Blue Book Directory and Resource Guide online via a searchable "E-Blue Book" database. The website is expected to be launched by March 2003.

Claude Stout, TDI Executive Director, states "BayFirst was selected based on the technical merit of its proposal and the qualifications of its team. We are confident that they will deliver a highly interactive web design and E-Blue Book solution to TDI and the worldwide deaf and hard-of-hearing community."

Robert Rice, President and managing partner of BayFirst Solutions, will be responsible for leading a team of deaf and hearing consultants who will create the dynamic website. Mr. Rice states, "Users of the TDI website will not only be able to search through the E-Blue Book directory but also make changes to their own individual listings. Additionally, BayFirst will be launching e-commerce capabilities enabling users to electronically submit membership dues, subscriptions, renewals or product purchases."

Washington State Issues RFI for Braille TTY

The Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has issued a Request for Information (RFI) from interested parties to help develop and manufacture the next generation of a Braille TTY in response to the wishes of deaf-blind consumers in Washington State and elsewhere.

Please go to this link for all the information pertaining to this RFI: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/trial/hrsa/odhh/qarfi.shtm

TDI On the Road to the West Coast

Mark your calendars!

Come and visit TDI at its booth during the following events:

     - Booth #22 at Deaf Expo, Ontario, CA 11/15-16/02

     - TDI Town Hall Sessions

          11/15 10:30a and 2:30p

          11/16 10:30a and 3:30p

     - Deaf Worldwide, Seattle, WA 11/23/02

You will be able join or renew your membership or subscription at our booth for one or two years.  With a paid membership or subscription, you will receive a 2002 Blue Book immediately and be on the mailing list for the 2003 Blue Book.  Also, you will receive four issues of the GA-SK newsletter per year.  During the Deaf Expo, there will also be several sessions about TDI’s advocacy work on your behalf in telecommunications and media access.
 

A TDI Town Hall Meeting, Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA 11/20/02

?? Do you have questions about … ??

What should I know about telecom legislation?

Who do I complain about captioning quality?

What's the difference in the new digital technologies?

How do I get access to emergency information?

How can I get more movie captioning?

What's new with relay?

Guess who is coming to Portland/Vancouver from Washington, D.C.?

Jim House from TDI invites you to attend a TDI Town Hall Meeting

November 20, 2002 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the

Southwest Washington Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

1715 Broadway St. Vancouver, Washington 98663, USA

TDI welcomes you to hear the latest on its advocacy efforts in Washington to fulfill its mission in telecommunications and media access on behalf of individuals who are deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind in America, especially in Portland and Vancouver.  TDI also wants to listen to your comments and concerns about access issues and developments.  You will also be able to join or renew your membership/subscription at the end of the town hall meeting.

Sign Language/Voice Interpreting will be provided, thanks to SWCDHH

For more information: 360/695-9720 TTY or rusty@swcdhh.org

If you have any questions about this e-mail, contact: jimhouse@tdi-online.org