FCC Stakeholder Meeting for iTRS National Outreach Program

FCC STAKEHOLDER MEETING FOR iTRS NATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM The Federal Communications Commission invites you to a stakeholders' meeting on the iTRS National Outreach Program (iTRS-NOP) for VRS and IP Relay. The meeting will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Commission Meeting Room, FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC. The Commission's June 10, 2013 VRS Reform Order specifically directed the establishment of a two-to-three year pilot iTRS-NOP for VRS and IP Relay. The Commission stated in the VRS Reform Order that the main purpose of iTRS-NOP is to educate the public about the use and availability of TRS which would further acceptance of TRS nationwide by hearing persons and merchants. The VRS Reform Order directed the selection of one or more independent iTRS Outreach Coordinators to conduct and coordinate IP Relay and VRS outreach nationwide under the Commission's supervision. In the VRS Reform Order, the Commission determined that outreach activities should include, but not be limited to, the following: - Consulting with consumer groups, IP Relay and VRS providers, the TRS Fund administrator, other TRS stakeholders, and other iTRS Outreach Coordinators, if any; - Establishing clear and concise messaging about the purposes, functions, and benefits of IP Relay and VRS; - Educating the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech disability consumers about the broadband adoption programs available to low-income families without access to broadband and VRS; - Determining media outlets and other appropriate avenues for providing the general public and potential new-to-category subscribers with information about IP Relay and VRS; - Preparing for and arranging for publication, press releases, announcements, digital postcards, newsletters, and media spots about IP Relay and VRS that are directed to retailers and other businesses, including trade associations; - Creating electronic and media tool kits that include samples of the materials listed in the previous bullet, and which may also include templates, all of which will be for the purpose of facilitating the preparation and distribution of such materials by consumer and industry associations, governmental entities, and other TRS stakeholders; - Providing materials to local, state, and national governmental agencies on the purposes, functions, and benefits of IP Relay and VRS; and - Exploring opportunities to partner and collaborate with other entities to disseminate information about IP Relay and VRS. The attached agenda sets forth items on which the Commission solicits feedback at this meeting. The Commission notes that nothing said at the meeting should be construed as: - a Government commitment to buy or otherwise acquire goods or services from any participant; - a suggestion or implication that any participant is or will become a preferred source of acquisition for any particular good or service; or - an obligation or suggestion that the Government will develop any particular work statement or include any particular contract term or conditions in a future acquisition as a result of the meeting. Please contact me to advise whether you will be able to attend. Others from your organization are welcome as observers, but participation is limited to one person from each organization or company. Any person who wishes to attend as an observer must also contact me and confirm their attendance. Thank you. E. Elaine Gardner Attorney Advisor Disability Rights Office Federal Communications Commission Washington, DC 20554 202-418-0581 Elaine.Gardner@fcc.gov