Gracias VRS is a Division of ASL Services Holdings LLC, an FCC Eligible VRS Provider

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Archive for February, 2010

FCC Reaffirms Rules and Policies of Video Relay Service

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

For Immediate Release:
February 25, 2010

Washington, D.C. — Today, as a step toward comprehensive reform of Video Relay Service (VRS), the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued a Declaratory Ruling to reaffirm the FCC’s rules and policies concerning VRS reimbursement and calling practices, and maximize efficiency and effectiveness of this program to ensure that the communications needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers are met.

(more…)

 

Mr Rogelio Figueroa visits Gracias VRS Hatillo Call Center

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

SDC11744SDC11740 On February 5th, 2010 Mr. Rogelio Figueroa, Environmental Activist and Governor Candidate for the PPR Party (Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico) arrived to the Gracias VRS Hatillo Call Center. As he toured the premises, he admired the building and its presentation. He recognized the significance of our competent and professional interpreters for the Deaf Community. Mr. Figueroa expressed that Gracias VRS and ASL Latino “are opening doors for the communication and education of the Deaf Community”.

Company Director and Call Center representatives answered his questions about the interpreting field, ASL Services: Latino, and shared our company’s history as well the achievements of it’s president and CEO Angela Roth.

Mr. Figueroa also had the opportunity to experience a VRS call from one of PR’s Deaf leaders.

Mr. Figueroa commended Gracias VRS and ASL Services: Latino for the educational and informative role to hearing society. His general impression was, that we are fulfilling our purpose, as we become the access point for the “voice” of the Deaf Community, so they can be heard through us.

 

Give Equal Telephone Access to the Deaf

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Gracias VRS Supports the NAD Request to the FCC to Give Equal Telephone Access to the Deaf

Gracias VRS is a provider of VRS, giving equal communication opportunity to the deaf community. This federally funded service (through FCC and NECA) may be in jeopardy without your support. Gracias VRS service is here to stay, however, new restrictions may limit VRS calls that are important to the deaf community.

Excerpt from the NAD Website: The NAD learned that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not paid Video Relay Service (VRS) providers for certain types of VRS calls since July 2009. As a result, some VRS providers are not connecting or may stop connecting some VRS calls. This is not functionally equivalent to the communication access that hearing telephone users enjoy.
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The NAD looks forward to working with the FCC, NECA, VRS providers, and other stakeholders in the development of rules and appropriate procedures to ensure the integrity of the TRS Fund and achieve functional equivalency for all deaf and hard of hearing consumers.

To read the rest of the article and to leave a comment with the FCC please visit the NAD website on the subject here.