Download CSD has a Long History of Advancing Communication Access

COMMUNICATION
REIMAGINED
PUBLIC POLICY
CSD has a Long History of Advancing
Communication Access
Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) opened its doors in 1975 with a mission
to both advocate for and create access to essential programs and services that
make the world more equal for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
In the past 40 years, we have:
• Increased access to video interpreting and onsite sign language interpreters
• Created the first 24-hour volunteer relay service
• Created one of the first TRS providers and the first VRS provider
• Created the first online marketplace for sign language interpreting services
CSD is a Deaf-owned, Deaf-run nonprofit. We understand how relay services break
down communication barriers for our community; we also know that relay services
do not break down all communications barriers.
A functionally equivalent future is possible for the deaf and hard
of hearing
The Americans with Disabilities Act created Telecommunications Relay
Services (TRS) so that the Deaf and hard of hearing could use the telephone
in a functionally equivalent manner to their hearing peers. But today, with the
availability of technology to enable one-on-one communication in American Sign
Language, we can move beyond “functional” equivalence to a truly equivalent
telecommunications experience for the deaf and hard of hearing.
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Direct Services in ASL are available today
COMMUNICATION
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Third-Party Communication
Third-party communication is clunky at best. It leaves a lot of
room for frustration and miscommunication
Deaf Customer
Interpreter
Video Relay
Services
Pen & Paper
TTY
Non-Signing Person
Direct Communication
Communicate directly to optimize access to services
Deaf Customer
ASL Signer
Direct Services Save Lives
Direct Services in ASL aren’t always possible, but when they are they should be
available, especially for emergency situations.
• 911 Access - Direct access to 911 was mandated by the Americans with
Disabilities Act. TTY was the original way of connecting directly with 911. With
the advent of Video Relay Services (VRS), TTYs ceased to be the preferred
method of communication for much of the deaf and hard of hearing population.
There is currently no nationwide alternative for direct access to 911.
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse (DVSA) Hotline - There is only one
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national hotline, the National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline (NDDVH), staffed
by ASL-fluent support personnel. It is open from 9:00-4:00 PT on weekdays.
Unlike the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH), it is not open 24 hours a
day. Outside of NDDVH hours, Deaf and hard of hearing Americans must call the
NDDVH through relay services. Relay interpreters are not trained to deal with
DVSA situations and may exacerbate already-bad situations.
Domestic Violence Doesn’t Keep Business Hours
• The deaf and hard of hearing are 150% more likely to experience sexual abuse in
their lifetime.
• Domestic violence affects 1 out of every 2 deaf women – and 1 out of every 6
deaf men.
• 83% of women with disabilities will experience sexual abuse.
Accessing 911 Through a Relay Service Isn’t a Good Option
deaf and hard of hearing individuals without TTYs rely on relay services to reach
911. This causes many problems:
• Issues with identifying where a deaf and hard of hearing individual is calling
from.
• Calls are often directed to the wrong 911 call center.
• Only the interpretation of the deaf caller is recorded, not what the individual
actually signs, making it problematic when used in a legal setting.
• Relay operators and interpreters are not commonly trained for emergencies.
• Relay services introduce dangerous delays in processing 911 calls.
The Department of Justice has not yet mandated that 911 call centers be required to
support text-to-911 or video conferencing as methods for directly serving the deaf
and hard of hearing.
Public Policy and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
There are many issues facing deaf and hard of hearing Americans that could be
solved through a commitment to accessibility. CSD is actively advocating for the
following issues:
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COMMUNICATION
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Access to City and County 311
• Many cities and counties offer 311 services as front-line access to city services,
but relay services generally do not fully support N-1-1 calling outside of 911
leaving deaf and hard of hearing without telecommunications access to city
services.
• 311 call centers are typically not supplemented by different modes of
communication such as text chat or ASL-fluent representatives. Consequently,
the deaf and hard of hearing are forced to rely on others, such as friends, family,
or neighbors, to reach city services through 311.
Sign Language Interpreter Certification
The majority of the deaf and hard of hearing population in the United States live in
states that require sign language interpreters to have minimum qualifications.
• The lack of certification requirements can lead to communications access
barriers, denying deaf and hard of hearing people effective communications in
essential areas, including education, health care and court proceedings.
Guidelines for Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
While VRI is absolutely a necessary service, it is not always the best option. Often
individuals and businesses choose VRI over onsite interpreting.
• CSD is participating in a consumer-led effort to create guidelines for the usage
of VRI in all settings.
• VRI can constitute an access barrier when used in the wrong setting.
• CSD has provided a public service announcement regarding the correct times to
use VRI as opposed to in-person interpreting.
For more information about how you can get involved with changing public policy
to better serve deaf and hard of hearing Americans, please visit CSD.org or contact
[email protected].
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