Speech-to-Speech
A free national telephone relay service
for people with speech disabilities
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Commendation
We commend the Federal Communications Commission for its action this week to improve the lives of a million Americans with speech disabilities. The FCC significantly raised its per minute reimbursement rate to the telephone companies that provide the national assistance service for people with speech disabilities (Speech-to-Speech). Per the FCC Report and Order of 11/19/07, that rate went from $1.40/minute to:
“…$2.723/minute. This rate…includes an additional $1.131 per minute in compensation that shall be directed for outreach, as set forth below. This rate shall be effective for the remainder of the 2007-2008 Fund year …. “
Currently, less than 10% of potential STS users appear to know that STS exists. This humanitarian act will improve telephone use for a large proportion of Americans with speech disabilities. We are grateful to Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps and Adelstein for their leadership.
Bob Segalman, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon)*
President, Speech Communication Assistance by Telephone, Inc.
Founder of Speech-to-Speech
515 “P” Street, #403; Sacramento, CA 95814
Call 711, request STS and then ask for me at 916-448-5517
FAX 916-448-5517 (call before Faxing)
E-mail: drsts@comcast.net; website: http://www.speechtospeech.org