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Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program

Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled

Administrative Committee (TADDAC)

March 24, 2017

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program, Main Office

1333 Broadway, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94612

The Telecommunications Access for the Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee (TADDAC) held its business meeting at the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP or Program) main office in Oakland, California.

TADDAC Members Present:

Frances Reyes Acosta, At Large Seat/Spanish Speaking User, Vice Chair

Ken Cluskey, Hard of Hearing Community Seat

Jeff Fetterman, Deaf Community Seat

Devva Kasnitz, Mobility Impaired Seat

Tommy Leung, Disabled Community-Blind/Low Vision Community Seat, Chair

Kevin Siemens, Speech-to-Speech Community Seat

Katie Wright, Late-Deafened Community Seat

TADDAC Non-Voting Liaisons Present:

Barry Saudan, CCAF CEO and CPUC Liaison

Alan Solomon, CPUC Communications Division

CCAF Staff Present:

Mary Atkins, Marketing Department Manager

Priya Barmanray, CRS Program Analyst

Karen Evangelista, Staff Interpreter/CRS Administrative Coordinator

Jen Minore, Northern California Field Operations Manager

Yesenia Roman, Interim Telecommunications Equipment Specialist

Jackie Taylor, CCAF Director of Operations

Reina Vazquez, Receptionist/Committee Assistant

David Weiss, CRS Relay Services Department Manager

CPUC Staff Present:

Helen Mickiewicz, CPUC Legal Division

Others Present:

Morgan Butler, Revoicer for Kevin Siemens

Christa Cervantes, Hamilton Relay

Otis Hopkins, Attendant to Tommy Leung

Don Brownell, Attendant to Devva Kasnitz

Spencer Montan, Wavio

Greyson Watkins, Wavio

TADDAC Chair, Tommy Leung, called the meeting to order at 10:14 AM.

I.  Welcome and Introduction of TADDAC Members

Prior to introductions, Kevin Siemens led a moment of silence in memory and honor of Brian Pease, who had served as Co-Chair of EPAC and liaison to TADDAC. Kind sentiments of Brian were shared by Tommy Leung and Frances Reyes Acosta. Then the Committee Members, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) staff, California Communications Access Foundation (CCAF) staff, and members of the audience present introduced themselves.

II.  Approval of Agenda

A correction of the March TADDAC meeting date was noted by Tommy Leung and without further corrections, the draft Minutes were approved.

III.  Review of Minutes of the January 27, 2017 TADDAC Meeting

The draft Minutes were approved without modification.

Review and follow up of TADDAC Action Items List from the February 24, 2017 Meeting

Action Item #35: Committee members to assist CRS Vendor outreach efforts by sending information on community events to David Weiss.

Reina Vazquez recommended that the Committee amend the language of the action item to better reflect the current actions of the Committee, as they have also been sharing event information with CTAP’s Outreach team. In order to streamline the process, Reina would receive the information from the Committee members and then she would forward them to David Weiss, copying Jennifer Minore and Angela Shaw. This action item is closed

New Action Item #68: Committee members to assist CTAP and CRS Vendor outreach efforts by sending information on community events to Reina Vazquez.

IV.  Administrative Business

A.  CPUC Report

Alan Solomon prefaced his report by expressing appreciation of Brian Pease for all of his contributions and the great passion that he brought to both the EPAC and TADDAC Committees.

Alan began the CPUC report by reminding the Committee of the next meeting to be held in Oakland on April 28, 2017. He then briefly recapped the special resolution that CPUC director, Tim Sullivan, presented to Shelley Bergum’s husband as part of the CPUC’s recent business meeting.

Regarding new equipment, Alan stated that there have been no additions since the last TADDAC meeting. Despite reporting that CD has not approved any new equipment for distribution, Alan shared that as of February 28th, a total of 132 ClearSounds Quattro lite Bluetooth units, 286 Serene HearAll Bluetooth cell phone amplifiers, and 40 Serene Headsets have been distributed. Alan added that the Panasonic Bluetooth multi-network amplifier is anticipating distribution in April, and the CapTel 840 Plus to become available in May 2017. CD has recently approved the testing of the ClearSounds Q Connect stereo Bluetooth transceiver.

With regards to Marketing, Alan informed the Committee that data results of the recently completed rural campaign are currently being received. He anticipates reporting on the findings at the next meeting.

With regards to speech-generating devices, since the program began in 2013, 291 applications have been received with 259 approved.

In conclusion of his report, Alan showcased the recently published DDTP Annual Report which was submitted to legislature before the March 1st due date. In addition to the Program data traditionally included to the Annual Report, four consumer vignettes were added to the report for the first time. He thanked the staff involved with recruiting the customers and gathering their valuable feedback, which created a more humanistic perspective of the Program’s goals and achievements. Frances Reyes Acosta commended the report and suggested that in the future she would like to see a vignette by a Spanish speaker to try and represent the diversity of California.

B.  CCAF Report

Before beginning the CCAF report, Barry Saudan shared that Brian Pease will missed for the great sense of humor he brought to both advisory Committees. Barry highlighted various areas of the December 2016 reports of interest to the Committee. TRS and CapTel calling trends continue to decline compared to the average for the month, yet Spanish-based calls showed an increase.

Next, Barry discussed the Customer Contact call volume date, which showed a drop of 10.4% compared to the previous month. The decrease may be due in part, as Barry stated, to not having an advertising campaign in December or having followed an election month.

Barry then turned the Committee’s attention to reports showing the number of certification forms processed by the Contact Center, total gross customer additions for the month, and notable trends. Total gross customer additions for the month was 1,510.

He concluded the CCAF report with mention of the Consumer Affairs report, results of Distribution Events previously held, including dates of upcoming events, and information on the Marketing campaigns for January 2017.

C. Report from the Chair

Helen Mickiewicz shared that she recently became a proud user of hearing aids, which has improved her daily functions at home and at work. Helen went on to inform the Committee that the Senate had recently passed a bill, heading to the House of Representatives, which essentially repeals the FCC’s privacy rules. The privacy rules require Internet service providers to obtain permission before selling a person’s information gathered from their internet activity. On other FCC news, Helen shared general information on the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) in regards to Video Relay Service (VRS). David Weiss added that the FCC vote establishes an 8-month trial to address VRS reform to areas such as Video Remote Interpreting, allowing non-Deaf signers to obtain a ten-digit number to communicate directly with Deaf people, accessing specialized VRS interpreters, and the incorporation of Deaf Interpreters.

Following Helen’s address to the Committee, Tommy Leung began a lengthy discussion regarding concerns and implications of the Federal budget on coverage of medical equipment and similar provisions as the DDTP. Helen clarified that the document released by the White House was not a budget proposal, despite being characterized as one, and did not include the FCC. Alan Solomon addressed the concerns for the Program by stating that at its current state, should Medicare no longer cover the roughly 80% of SGDs, there would be no immediate negative impact to the Program.

Tommy Leung continued the Chair report by soliciting a member of the Committee to take over the development responsibilities of the Committee budget, for review at the June meeting. With the Committee’s review and approval in June, it will then be submitted to the CPUC, per TADDAC’s annual obligation. Tommy stated that he has held the responsibility during his term and has been working with Frances Reyes Acosta for the last two years. Devva Kasnitz volunteered for the role and will continue to work with Frances.

Alan Solomon asked David Weiss to speak on the completion of the CapTel Calling Tips card. David thanked the Committee for being instrumental in its development and showed the Committee a proof of the 4”x6” card, along with a 5x7” card. David shared that the final card is ready for production, will be 5x7” with a larger font size and will be included in all new CapTel units distributed.

V.  Public Input

David Weiss introduced Greyson Watkins and Spencer Montan of Wavio. Greyson Watkins shared that with his background in engineering, he established Wavio to create advanced technology for the Deaf. He added that in his experience, he noticed the challenges that people with disabilities face, trying to influence the FCC in the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and accessible technology. He inquired about any Committee involvement with the FCC, specifically with regards to a recent recommendation to the FCC on the Internet of Things and expressed interest in partnering with the Committee to increase awareness. In response to several committee members’ mention of consumer advocates involved with the FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee, Helen Mickiewicz advised that competing business interests would more likely get the current FCC’s attention on the matter, rather than consumer interests. David Weiss encouraged Wavio to consider participating in the annual M-Enabling Summit, a FCC-sponsored conference and showcase focused on innovative technology to enable seniors and people with disabilities, to be held June 12-14, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Greyson went on to describe how his company is developing intelligent sound recognition technology for use in the home. At the same time, they are working to develop a platform for the Internet of Things that allows connectivity and coordination of various communication systems in one place.

Lunch 11:51 AM – 1:27 PM

VI.  New Business

A.  EPAC Report and Recommendations

Providing the EPAC report in the absence of Sylvia Stadmire, Barry Saudan announced that the newly approved CapTel 840 Plus units should arrive at the beginning of April. He reminded the Committee that the devices are being shipped as analog captioned telephones, but in the event that a customer’s network is switched to an IP-based network, the device can be remotely reprogrammed, rendering it an IP-based device. These customers would remain in the Program, yet the captioning would now be under the Federal IP CTS. Current supplies of the CapTel 840 will be reduced, reserving a small number, before distribution of the CapTel 840 Plus begins.

In regards to the approved and highly-anticipated Panasonic cordless, KX-TGM450S, Barry also shared that units are expected to arrive at the end of March. These devices will replace the current Clarity 4220+. Also expected to arrive in April is the Panasonic amplified, cordless, bluetooth multi-network phone.

Next, Barry informed the Committee that the voice-actuated Penguin Phone, designed for persons with severe mobility issues, is currently in the testing phase. He added that testing has been completed of the two artificial larynx devices, the Romet Echo and the TruTone Emote, with reports on route to the CPUC. Barry reported that EPAC’s recent letter to Sonic Alert, which provided recommendations to consider as enhancements to their in-home signal device, was much appreciated by Sonic Alert and they are looking forward to returning to present those modifications in the summer or fall. EPAC has continued to correspond with Humanware in hopes to have a presentation of emerging products for the Deaf-blind consumer.

Barry shared with TADDAC what was reported at the EPAC meeting regarding the direct-mail marketing campaign. The Marketing vendor purchased a list of clients that have self-identified as having a disability and a land line. After comparing and cross-checking it against the Program’s current database, 25,577 potential customers will be on the receiving end of this mailing campaign.

Lastly, Barry discussed the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Pilot that is currently in the second phase of the pilot. Right now the training is focused on the accessibility features of iPhone 4, 5, and 6. He explained that there would be a Service Center in Northern California and one Service Center in Southern California where these trainings will take place and that Reina would email the Committee Members a copy of the marketing flyers.

B.  Possible Committee Seat Interviews

There were no interviews given at this time.

VII.  Member Reports

Ken Cluskey expressed concern over emerging hearing aid technology that would make hearing aids incompatible with Program equipment. He shared information regarding recent bipartisan legislation, SB 9, introduced by Senators Warren and Grassley from Iowa. The bill is an attempt to restructure the hearing health industry to provide over the counter hearing aids, resulting in lower hearing aid costs. Ken then asked what the CPUC or the DDTP can do in terms of legislative reform to ensure that the Program’s equipment remain relevant with emerging technology. Alan and Helen reminded the Committee that TADDAC can forward comments as a Committee to the CPUC, and they in turn, can forward those comments to the FCC and California Legislators.

Helen Mickiewicz explained to the Committee how the CPUC

maintains involvement with the State’s legislative process by way of California’s Department of Governmental Affairs and how they can get involved with the aforementioned bill in Congress. Concerns of the CPUC are directed to the offices of California’s Senators and Congressional Representatives. In order to persuade the CPUC’s involvement in the bill, Helen suggested that an important first step in the process would be for TADDAC to draft a letter to Mike Amato, Communications Division Director, explaining their desire for the CPUC to engage on the bill, their reasoning and concerns, along with the points the Committee wishes the Commission to make. A letter from the Commission President would be then be drafted and sent to members of the California Congressional Delegation and to the two senators' offices. Another approach could be made by Helen and Alan at a Commission meeting, following receipt of TADDAC’s letter-of-intent. Helen added that the same process could be followed by other concerned and interested organizations of the various constituency groups.