by We received terrific news last week from the FCC that they are spending a lot of time and money to guarantee the Deaf-Blind will be included in the current century.
Here’s the celebratory PR Blurp from the FCC:
Today, the Commission established a National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) to enable low-income individuals who are deaf-blind to access 21st Century communications services. The pilot program will help ensure that qualified individuals have access to the Internet, and advanced communications, including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and information services.
This action implements a provision of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). The CVAA allocated $10 million annually from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund for this nationwide equipment distribution effort.
You wouldn’t think it would take action by the Federal Government to guarantee the ongoing inclusion of the Deaf-Blind in society — but if not the FCC, then who?
What other private agency or community social program has the reach and the depth to pay for including the disabled in mainstream society?
We used to have local Ugly Laws that punished and restricted the disabled from being seen in public — and it is only through the power of a Federal mandate that we are able to legally enforce equal access to opportunity in the USA.
A real Christian Nation wouldn’t need the intervention of Washington, D.C. to make sure the right thing is done — but for those of us who realize we’ve lost our core religious morality over the last century and a half — it doesn’t come as a surprise that we need human laws to fill the empty gully of proper behavior that used to be overflowing with the fear of God’s wrath.
We should be grateful and thankful that our tax dollars are being so wisely and properly spent to help the disabled lead fuller, and more robust, lives as we all tumble along together into the 22nd century and beyond.
Terrific news indeed, David! Glad to know that the FCC is finally tackling something more significant than Janet Jackson’s nipples!
Yes! Good point, Gordon! The FCC are stepping into important areas that make a massive difference in lives. Forget the silly skin exposure and work on protecting the whole person!