Case Background
The
Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA) established a statewide telecommunications
relay system effective May 24, 1991. Section 427.704, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides
that the Florida Public Service Commission (Commission) shall establish,
implement, promote, and oversee the administration of a statewide
telecommunications access system to provide access to telecommunications relay
services by persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, and those
who communicate with them. This system provides telecommunications service for deaf
or hard of hearing persons that is functionally equivalent to the service
provided to hearing persons.
The Florida
Relay System provides deaf or hard of hearing persons access to basic
telecommunications services by using a specialized Communication Assistant that
relays information between the deaf or hard of hearing person and the other
party to the call. The deaf or hard of hearing person utilizes a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) to type a message to the Communication Assistant, who
in turn voices the message to the other party or types the message to a Captioned
Telephone (CapTel) which displays real-time captions of the conversation.
Pursuant to Section
427.706, F.S., the Commission shall appoint an
advisory committee of no more than 10 members to
assist the Commission with Florida’s relay system. There are currently seven
representatives serving on the advisory 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, Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), during all
phases of the development and operation of the telecommunications access
system. The advisory committee advises the Commission and FTRI on the quality
and cost-effectiveness of the telecommunications relay service and the
specialized telecommunications devices distribution system. Members of the advisory
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.
Discussion
of Issues
Issue 1:
Should the Commission approve the appointment of
Margaret Lynn Duggar to the TASA advisory committee effective immediately?
Recommendation:
Yes. Staff recommends that the Commission approve
the appointment of Margaret Lynn Duggar to the TASA advisory committee
effective immediately. (Williams, Cowdery)
Staff
Analysis:
Ms. Duggar was recommended by
FTRI for appointment to the TASA advisory committee. Ms. Duggar has extensive
experience and expertise addressing issues facing senior citizens, and her
appointment will fill a current void on the committee representing the
perspective of seniors. Section 427.706, F.S., mandates that, to the extent
practicable, the TASA advisory committee have representation from the senior community,
as well as other impacted groups.
In 1989, Ms. Duggar established Margaret
Lynn Duggar & Associates, an independent
consulting firm specializing in developing products and services for
seniors. The firm also offers strategic
planning, association management, and organizational leadership services.
Ms. Duggar
will represent the interest of the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA)
and the Florida Association of Aging Services Providers (FASP).
FCOA is a statewide membership organization providing a host of services to
Florida seniors. FASP members are also FCOA members, and focus more on community-based
and in-home direct services to Florida’s elderly. FCOA members include local
councils on aging, senior centers, insurance companies, senior housing
communities, and health care providers, among others.
Ms. Duggar
has served as the Executive Director of the Senior Society Planning Council for
the United Way, Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging for North
Florida, Inc., and State Director on Aging and Adult Services for the State of
Florida. Ms. Duggar was inducted into the Florida Council on Aging Hall of Fame
in 1989, and was recognized as the Gerontologist of the Year for 1989-1990, by
the Gerontological Society of Florida. Ms. Duggar received undergraduate and
graduate degrees from Florida State University.
As
mentioned earlier, Ms. Duggar was recommended by FTRI and has the background
and expertise to advise the Commission and FTRI on issues involving relay
service and its impact on the senior community. Staff recommends that the
Commission approve the appointment of Margaret Lynn Duggar to the TASA Advisory
Committee effective immediately.
Issue 2:
Should the Commission approve the appointment of Debbe
Hagner to the TASA advisory committee effective immediately?
Recommendation:
Yes. Staff recommends that the Commission approve
the appointment of Debbe Hagner to the TASA advisory committee effective
immediately. (Williams, Cowdery)
Staff
Analysis:
Ms.
Hagner was recommended by the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing (FCCDHH or Coordinating Council) for appointment to the TASA advisory
committee. Ms.
Hagner was born hard of hearing and has been an advocate for persons who are
deaf or hard of hearing for many years.
Ms. Hagner
is President of the Hearing Loss Association of America-Gulf Coast Chapter.
Ms. Hagner has also previously served as Vice-Chair of FCCDHH.
FCCDHH is
mandated by Section 413.271, F.S., to serve as
an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the
needs of Florida’s deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind community.
The Coordinating Council is composed of 17 members.
The appointment of individual members not representing state agencies is made
by the Governor. The appointment of members representing organizations is made
by the Governor in consultation with the respective organization.
The Hearing Loss Association of America-Gulf Coast
Chapter serves the needs of people with hearing loss by providing information
and educational support, public awareness and both legislative and public
policy advocacy. It is a local chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of
America.
As mentioned earlier, Ms. Hagner was recommended by the
FCCDHH and has the background and expertise to advise the Commission and FTRI on
relay service. Staff recommends that the Commission approve the
appointment of Debbe Hagner to the TASA advisory committee effective
immediately.
Issue 3:
Should this docket be closed?
Recommendation:
Yes. The docket should be closed. (Cowdery)
Staff Analysis:
The docket should be closed.
