“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has posted a video in American Sign Language (ASL) to explain new procedures for registering users for video relay services (VRS). The video explains that by February 28, 2018, VRS providers must obtain from VRS users certain identifying information (name, address, last four digits of Social Security number, and date of birth). Providers must then enter this information, along with user self-certifications of eligibility, into a new registration database called the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) User Registration Database.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO VRS USERS: In order to continue using VRS from each of your providers, you must provide the information listed above (plus additional information if requested from your provider to verify your identity) to each VRS provider with whom you have a videophone number. You must also give consent to each of your providers to submit your registration information to the TRS User Registration Database. This means that if you have multiple devices and telephone numbers from different providers, and you submit your information and consent to only one of your providers, you will be able to continue using only that provider. In order to continue getting service through other providers, you must separately submit your information to each of your providers, along with your consent for each provider to enter your information into the database. All user information will be kept strictly confidential.
Failure to provide the necessary registration information and consent to each of your providers by February 28, 2018 may result in losing access to some of your VRS providers until such registration information and consent is provided.
You can view the new FCC ASL Video on the February 28 Deadline for VRS Registration at either of the following 2 web locations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1bK7wzVkWE (FCC’s Youtube page)
https://www.fcc.gov/general/disability-rights-office. (FCC’s Disability Rights Office homepage)
To access all of the FCC’s ASL videos (including several VRS registration videos), you can also visit DRO’s new ASL Video Library webpage at: https://www.fcc.gov/asl-video-library.
For additional information about the upcoming deadline, please contact Michael Scott, CGB, Michael.Scott@fcc.gov or 202-418-1264. If you use a videophone and are fluent in ASL, you can call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).