DATE:	November 16, 2010
TO:	Office of Commission Clerk (Cole)
FROM:	Division of Regulatory Analysis (Casey) Office of the General Counsel (Miller) Division of Service, Safety & Consumer Assistance (Moses)
RE:	Docket No. 040763-TP – Request for submission of proposals for relay service, beginning in June 2005, for the hearing and speech impaired, and other implementation matters in compliance with the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991.
AGENDA:	11/30/10 – Regular Agenda – Interested Persons May Participate
COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:			All Commissioners
PREHEARING OFFICER:			Edgar
CRITICAL DATES:			None
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:			None
FILE NAME AND LOCATION:			S:\PSC\RAD\WP\040763.RCM.DOC

 

 Case Background

The Florida Relay System (FRS) provides deaf or hard of hearing persons access to basic telecommunications services by using a specialized communications assistance operator (CA) that relays information between the deaf or hard of hearing person and the other party of the call.  The primary function of the FRS is accomplished by the deaf or hard of hearing person using a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) which has a keyboard and screen.  The person using the TDD types a message to the CA who in turn voices the message to the other party.  The reverse of this process completes messages to the deaf or hard of hearing person.  This is how the term “relay” originated. 

The Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA) established a statewide telecommunications relay system and became effective May 24, 1991.  It is authorized under Chapter 427, Florida Statutes.  Section 427.701(1), Florida Statutes, provides that the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC or Commission) shall establish, implement, promote, and oversee the administration of the statewide telecommunications access system to provide access to telecommunications relay services by persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, or others who communicate with them.  Three million of the estimated 18.6 million persons living in Florida have been diagnosed as being deaf or hard of hearing.  This system provides telecommunications service for deaf or hard of hearing persons functionally equivalent to the service provided to hearing persons.  TASA provides funding for the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and provision of intrastate relay service through the imposition of a surcharge of up to $0.25 per landline access line per month. 

Section 427.706, Florida Statutes, provides for up to 10 members on an advisory committee to assist the FPSC with the implementation of the Florida Relay System.  The purpose of this recommendation is to recommend approval of  the appointment of Mr. Chris Littlewood as a new TASA  advisory committee member.  The Commission is vested with jurisdiction over these matters pursuant to Chapter 427, Florida Statutes.

 

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1: 

 Should the Commission approve the appointment of Mr. Chris Littlewood as a TASA advisory committee member effective immediately?

Recommendation: 

 Yes, the Commission should approve the appointment of Mr. Chris Littlewood as a TASA advisory committee member effective immediately.

Staff Analysis: 

 Section 427.706, Florida Statutes, provides that the Commission shall appoint an advisory committee of up to 10 members to assist the Commission with Florida’s relay system.  There are presently seven active members serving on the committee.  By statute, the advisory committee provides the expertise, experience, and perspective of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired to the Commission and to the administrator during all phases of the development and operation of the telecommunications access system.  The advisory committee advises the Commission and the administrator on the quality and cost-effectiveness of the telecommunications relay service and the specialized telecommunications devices distribution system.  Members of the committee are not compensated for their services but are entitled to per diem and travel expenses provided through the Florida Public Service Commission’s Regulatory Trust Fund.

 At the August 17, 2010 Internal Affairs meeting, staff presented a letter from the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH) providing input on staff’s proposed comments to the FCC addressing video relay service.  The Commission considered the letter and revised the draft comments to the FCC based on information provided by the FCCDHH.  The FCCDHH, as defined by Section 413.271, Florida Statutes, was established to provide information and assistance to the Legislature; provide technical assistance to other state agencies;  provide information and referral services; promote public and individual advocacy for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened citizens; and conduct public hearings as needed.  It consists of seventeen members appointed by the Governor.

As mentioned above, there are presently only seven active members on the TASA Advisory committee.  Many of the suggested organizations listed in Section 427.706 from which the Commission can select members are no longer in existence.  Staff believes that having a member from the FCCDHH serve on the TASA Advisory committee would be invaluable and provide additional input from the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened citizens of Florida.  Staff suggested the idea to a representative of FCCDHH and received an overwhelming positive response to the idea.  The FCCDHH conducted its quarterly meeting in Tampa on November 4-5, 2010, and discussed the proposal.  By letter dated November 8, 2010 (Attachment A), Dr. Sherilyn M. Adler, Chair of the FCCDHH, recommended that Mr. Chris Littlewood serve on the TASA Advisory committee.

            Mr. Littlewood received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Social Sciences, and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa.  Attachment B to this recommendation contains Mr. Littlewood’s resume.  He currently serves on the FCCDHH as its representative for the Association of Late-Deafened Adults.  Mr. Littlewood is a Project Coordinator/Curriculum Designer for the Center for Public Safety Innovation/National Terrorism at St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Florida.  As a user of captioned telephone service and video relay service, Mr. Littlewood will be a valuable addition to the TASA Advisory Committee.  Staff supports this nomination and recommends that the Commission should approve Mr. Chris Littlewood as a TASA advisory committee member effective immediately.

 

Issue 2: 

 Should this docket be closed?

Recommendation: 

 No, this docket should not be closed.  (Miller)

Staff Analysis: 

  This docket should remain open for the duration of the contract period with Sprint as the relay provider.  This docket is used to monitor relay and contract issues that arise during the contract term.