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

Archive for June, 2012

Gracias VRS Retro Party

Friday, June 15th, 2012

Flyer Con MapaYou are invited to our first Retro Party in Puerto Rico. Come dressed like the 50′s, 60′s or 70′s and enter the competition for best costume. We will also have our famous dance competition. There will be prizes awarded to first, second and third places in both categories, plus a raffle, gifts and much more. The entrance is free. Come and bring your Deaf friends with you to this wonderful event. The Retro Party will be held at the Ruben Rodríguez Coliseum, Salón Alcalde Room june 29th starting at 6:00 pm. There is parking available or you can come by train at stop “Deportivo”. Join us for this spectacular summer event powered by the one that is ALWAYS WITH YOU! GRACIAS VRS.

 

Action Alert: Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Truck Drivers!

Friday, June 8th, 2012

We want to bring to your immediate attention to this serious concern that could impact our Deaf truck drivers and related jobs!

Deaf and hard of hearing truck drivers need your support! We need your help to tell the U.S. Department of Transportation that deaf and hard of hearing people should be permitted to drive trucks!

For the first time in history, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering the applications for exemptions from the Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) hearing requirements for 45 deaf and hard of hearing individuals submitted by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The U.S. DOT is requesting comments from the public, so show your support now.

The physical qualification requires individuals to prove they can “first perceive a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid” or “not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid . . .” (see 49 C.F.R. § 391.41(b)(11) for more details).

For the full list of the 45 individuals, please read our article on deaf and hard of hearing truck drivers obtaining CDLs: http://nad.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18703&qid=1702720

Take action now – submit comments to the DOT explaining why they should allow these 45 deaf and hard of hearing truck drivers to get CDLs! Read our article and follow the easy steps to submit your comments. http://nad.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18703&qid=1702720

Thanks for taking action now!

The National Association of the Deaf
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3819
United States

 

2012 Osceola Hurricane Handbook

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

KISSIMMEE, Fla., June 1, 2012 – Kissimmee Utility Authority today released its 2012 Osceola Hurricane Handbook, a free comprehensive preparedness guide offered annually to Osceola County residents.

The 40-page handbook has been revised, updated and enhanced by the utility to provide residents with the most current and up-to-date information available. The guide includes information on emergency shelters, evacuation routes, generator safety and power outage restoration as well as helpful telephone numbers, a disaster supplies checklist and a hurricane tracking chart.

The handbook can be downloaded from KUA’s website at www.kua.com/hurricane.

Printed copies of the handbook will be available, beginning June 11, in the lobby of KUA’s customer service center at 1701 W. Carroll Street in Kissimmee.

To receive a copy of the printed handbook by mail, residents should contact KUA at (407) 933-9838 or by e-mail at hurricane@kua.com.

Founded in 1901, KUA (http://kua.com) is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 64,000 customers in Osceola County, Fla.

 

New Video News for the Deaf from Gracias VRS

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

Gracias VRS is proud to present a few new videos for your viewing pleasure! Our first video is all about Emergency Kits, find out what yours should have in it and why you should have one! And our second video straight from the NAD is a call for your help, check it out!

Make Your Own Emergency Kit

Learn how to make your own Emergency Kit and be prepared!

 

FCC VRS Reform Rulemaking Needs Your Comments!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules and asked for suggestions on how to improve Video Relay Services (VRS). The NAD first found out that the FCC was considering making reforms to VRS last summer. We have been working diligently along with other Consumer Groups representatives, to let the FCC know our concerns about possible changes to VRS and also improvements we would like to see. (Instructions on how to file at the bottom of the page).
The rulemaking has four key areas for reforms:

  • TRS Broadband Pilot Program (TRSBPP)
  • Better Technical Standards for VRS
  • Change from a Per-Minute to a Per-User Reimbursement System
  • Improvements to VRS Quality

Read more online on the NAD.org website.

 

Want to know how to change the Language on your YouTube Closed Captions?

Youtube: Viewing Videos with Captions