Hello everyone! This is my first of a vlog series in which I hope to explain different issues we are seeing with the VRS industry and the effort to push for ten digit telephone numbers.
The first issue is e911. Notice the “e” in e911. This is different than 911. “E” stands for enhanced.
First and most importantly, hearing callers has e911. Deaf callers, using VRS, do not have e911.
That is the issue here. The VRS industry has been slow in implementing support for e911 emergency services.
The difference, in terms of services, between 911 and e911 is that when a deaf person calls 911 through a VRS call center, the 911 dispatcher cannot pull up information on your location based on your call. Instead of automatically pulling up your information, they have to take the time to ask for your information.
“Where are you now?”
“Is everything OK?”
“What is your telephone number where you can be reached?”
“What is your address?”
“I’ll send someone now to help”
Not only can these calls take more time, in emergency situations (fire, earthquake, tornado), internet connections may be cut off. If you haven’t given the 911 dispatcher your information, they will not be able to track and find you.
e911 enables the 911 dispatcher to automatically pull your critical information. That is why we need ten digit phone numbers. Calling through VRS with our current system is ineffective.
Yes, the VRS industry is trying to agree on a ten digit numbering system, but progress has been too slow. Lives may be endangered or lost meanwhile. This includes all VRS companies, but the biggest one, with the largest user base, market and VRS calls is Sorenson. Over the years, Sorenson hasn’t been moving effectively toward support for e911 services.
Sorenson accuses FCC of inaction. Others in the industry are accusing Sorenson of inaction. Here’s a good example of Sorenson’s inaction. Sheri F. Mutti forwarded me Sorenson’s reply comments which was filed with FCC last Friday, April 18, 2008, which is very recent. In the comments, Sorenson asked for more time beyond FCC’s expected implementation date of December 31 2008.
We’ve waited long enough. FCC asked the VRS industry to agree on a numbering system years ago, and gave them two extensions, the second one’s deadline being December 2007. Yet, Sorenson is asking for more time.
Before you say Sorenson’s request is reasonable based on making sure the system is “secure, user-friendly, reliable, confidential and cost effective“, remember the technology already exists and is being used by the VOIP industry.
I sent an email to Ron Burdett, Sorenson Vice President of Communications and received a reply. He wrote to say that they provide 911 services. That is not the same service hearing callers are benefiting from. Don’t be fooled. While 911 may be better than nothing, it’s e911 services that we demand. The “e” in e911 can mean the difference between life and death.
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I agree with you that important e911 need that for the deaf community also That risk alive or death…you are right!
Thanks,
Johanna
it is sad that they continue to play with our lives. My husband has diabetes and tracheotomy (spelling a breathing tube inserted in neck) and sometime his life is in danger. We took down our vp and will rely on our neighbor to call 911 since it is faster than sorenson.
I understand what you saying about.
For me keep separate two line……. one phone line and internet line for vp. I use ttd phone line so I dial 911 then do not have to type just leave on line live open do not hung up just leave it then it did three min very fast service police came by …. I am very surprise this . That simple. It better that way. because I don’t depend on crap VP VRS. Get my point.
thank you
Davy
Hey Davy,
That is a clever idea.
I do not have a landline in my home and I’ve heard that there are many others that don’t too. I live in an apartment and my emergency plan is to knock on my neighbors’ doors until someone answers. If I move to a house, I would pay for a landline.
I use cox cable for three in one bill ….. that internet , phone and tv. I don’t use very often tdd that is my backup. it did to me one time for emergency and Iam glad went well.
I hoping all deaf do this way what I did for need quick way dial tdd 911 leave it open that it.
Davy
I had an emergency last summer. I ran to my neighbors to call 911 as I didn’t have the luxury of time to call VRS, knowing that it will cost me precious time explaining to 911 where I am, etc.
In NJ, we have most 911 centers equipped with E911. Of course, no VP!! Voice or TTY are the ones that work with those centers.
Of course, I prefer using VP!
Yup. There are 6,000~ 911 call centers that support e911 in the United States. The remaining 100 are being upgraded. Of course, we can’t use any of them!
all deaf must have own phone to dial to 911 leave phone open on line til someone will show up but problem no communicate or let 911 know you are deaf on your phone nbr so they know you are deaf
rlay……… april 24 at 11:44pm
it does not matter whether you are Deaf or not . It no need to tell them who you are …… period. They know it where you live because it show their machine or computer track your home to follow automatic direction. Still They must come your place anyway for saving your life. NO BUT !
Davy
Can you tell us why stalling is the issue between Sorenson and FCC alleged accusations? What is really behind this? Confidentiality issue? 3rd party issue? Should FCC create a new publc e911 VRS provider, none picked up from any current VRS industry? There must be some kinds of legal issues.
Landline services eventually disappear - action is now. Everyone knows that.
@think
Wish I knew!!!
Sorenson will say its because of potential issues with system and etc. Bottom line- once this 10 digits is in effect…. Sorenson will lose many of their minutes as people wouldnt have any more reason to hold on to Sorenson’s videophones as now there are many new video phones out there that may suit the customer themselves. Choices are finally here (after 10 digits number is implemented).
Sorenson was very smart to control the phone number database - almost all of us love it because its easy to memorize compared to locating the ip address and etc. Once 10 digits numbers there, people from any equipment will call to another person with any equipment. Isnt this nice? Same concept as hearing folks - Verizon Cell phone can call Sprint Cell phone.
What I am reading here is that SORENSON is all about MONEY,, I honestly do not think they give a damn about some ones ” life or death” issues”
Sorenson needs to realize that they can not monopolize and corner the “deaf needs” market and the world does not revolve around SORENSON ..
I do not see the other VRS services trying to stall FCC .. it looks like the others are more than willing to accept the CHANGE…
I think we the deaf and the families and friends of the deaf and VRS users should unite and let FCC know that we are not going to put our lives on line for the sake of a money grubbing buisness called SORENSON…. this is just how I am interpreting all of this…
two deaf people died and both tried to reach 911 fail due to the stupid hearing world not know we human too one is my wife the other is a deaf male
Davy is right. I talked to a Sorenson operator a while ago about using 911. The operator strongly recommended that we still dial 911 anyway because it’s much faster than going through any VRS operator. Just dial 911 and leave the receiver off the hook. The emergency authorities will show up at wherever you are at within a few minutes. It does work.
i agree…. we all should call e911 bec never know we cannot hear burgulars,fire, blackouts,whatever.. u know ?! where do i file this to FCC?
hearing people have everything,
i agree about E911, very intersting about E911
be fair awith deaf/hard of hearing.
respectfully, kris
yes i wanted to have e911 very important .
Whoever said this was all about money..its true. Not just them, but in any situation nowadays…its all about money….and POLITICS!….Mr London
I think you misunderstand about 911 and E911. How do Police, Fire and EMT know our address by having telephone line to database center which you dial 911 and data shows up automatically even though you may not even start to talk or type. When you set up new telephone line they get information from you like address for billing, etc thats how it got into database which provide emergency available.
So Sorenson does not have that system because you use VP from internet which you did not provide any information through internet. That is why it takes some time to give out the information to interpreter and rely the info to dispatcher center. Massachusetts has E911 and excellent program and other states are trying to follow this model to their systems.
@Sara, that is exactly it—there is NO provider that works with e911. With Sorenson’s monopolistic power, they’ve been hesitant to move forward, stalling the entire industry from reaching consensus on a compatible system.
SOUND GOOD FOR DEAF COMMUNITY NATIONWIDE NEED HELP QUICK RESPONSE LIKE HEARING PEOPLE 911….HOPE WORKOUT SOON FOR US IN THE FUTURE…AMAZING FOR E911..WE NEED THAT THANKS