DHHCAN 2009-09 September

The TDI conference was very successful with your support. The legislative day for H.R. 3101 was great; thanks to all. This was a terrific demonstration of “grassroots in action.” Markey and McCain appeared to receive their TDI awards.
Will invite special guests for future DHHCAN meetings: Kareem Dale; Equal Rights Center representative on employment discrimination test cases; and I. King Jordon.
Consumer Groups recommendations to the Obama transition team will redistribute for sign-on for the seven (7) different policy areas for follow up with the respective cabinet members; discussion at future meeting.

Vice Chair

Report will be made as part of the committee reports.

Secretary/Treasurer

Balance in bank account is $31,944. Invoices for annual dues will be sent out soon.

Committee Reports:

Technology & Telecommunications

FCC workshop on 10-digit numbering and E911 will be held on 9/25/09.
Comments on the Purple and CSDVRS petitions for rulemaking on TRS marketing practices are due 9/10/09; Consumer Groups plan to file.
Reply comments on Sorenson’s petition about assigning geographic numbers are due today, 9/9/09; Consumer Groups plan to file.
Consumer group representatives met with Commissioner Copp’s office on 6/5/09 and 6/23/09.
Consumer group representatives met with the FCC about VRS rate issues and DRO on 9/2/09 with CGB and DRO leadership; and on 9/3/09 with Genachowski’s legal advisor Sherrese Smith.
TDI Board of Directors issued a position statement on allegations of manufactured minutes on 8/21/09.
An e-mail message was sent to Kareem Dale on 8/21/09 regarding the lack of captions for a webcast on health care on 8/20/09. Discussion ensued about the President’s message to students not being captioned on the White House website. DHHCAN will follow up with input from Larry Goldberg. Karen reported on meetings with the White House with Susan Crawford and Jim Kohlenberger on technology and disability access. She will shared a copy of a short project overview of agency compliance with Section 508. Cheryl reported on a request for remote CART for a conference call and Kareem said none had been arranged.
Senate confirmation hearing for FCC Chairman-designate Julius Genachowski was not captioned.
Consumer groups filed a Supplement to the Petition for Captioned Telephone Services was filed on 6/10/09.
Comments to the FCC for elements of a national broadband plan were filed 6/8/09.
On 6/4/09 the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Sorenson’s favor that the FCC failed to provide rationale for prohibiting lobbying activities. Discussion ensued on provider education and outreach, and the Purple and CSDVRS requests for clarification of TRS marketing practices.
Cheryl reported that the CAC DTV technical working subgroups on captioning and video description are beginning to meet.

Education

Alexa Posny (from Kansas) nominated for OSERS; confirmation expected.
CEASD met with Ruth Rydor and Patty Gard (OSEP) on schools for the deaf; response was that this is a state issue; but when OSEP monitors states, they should monitor enrollments, etc.; states point fingers at the federal government; CEASD urging more communication; invited Secretary of Education to visit MSD; will invite Alexa after she is confirmed.
CEASD Board meeting in October; NASDE meetings will coincide.
Barbara is now consulting for the Clerc Center; no longer working at the NAD.

Rehabilitation

Cheryl, Claude, and Martha reviewed the Model State Plan (MSP) for VR; met with Roy Albert, chair of the CSAVR MSP subcommittee; did not feel they accomplished much; will meet again and probably work with OSERS.

Transportation

Barbara sent the final draft of the DHHCAN airline access guidance to Art (AADB) to review; Art’s review is not finished yet; plan to discuss and give final approval at the next DHHCAN meeting.

Emergency Preparedness

Cheryl reported that about four times per year the Department of Homeland Security briefs representatives from deaf and hard of hearing groups and other disability groups; one such meeting took place about two weeks ago and focused on swine flu.

Health & Human Services

Lise reported on health care reform; pre-August plan mentioned hearing services for children up to age 21; current status of that provision is unknown; may end up being eliminated.
HLAA is encouraging people to write to AARP to suggest issue topics for AARP; they limit themselves to five (5) issues per year.
HLAA letter to the President has been signed by 4,000 people.

Old Business:

None.

New Business:

None.

Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be held in the Ole Jim on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

Rosaline Crawford

Secretary/Treasurer