HLAA Convention 2011 Special: Exhibits #11

[Guest guest]

NVRC News - June 30, 2011

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HLAA Convention Exhibits #11 - CSD and Project Endeavor, Telecommunications

Industry Association

By Marla Dougherty, 6/30/11

Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) and Project Endeavor

Communication Services for the deaf is non-profit organization which has

worked since 1975, to ensure the deaf and hard of hearing have greater

access to human service programs and quality communication services. It has

29 offices around the country and operates relay services for 35 states.

In 2010, Project Endeavor was launched to bring high-speed internet

connections (broadband) and training to the deaf and hard of hearing across

America. Through a federal grant from Broadband Technology Opportunities

Program (BTOP), Project Endeavor provides access to the internet by

distributing equipment, offering technical assistance and connecting

consumers to broadband.

To learn if you are eligible for free equipment such as a notebook computer

and 1 year of unlimited high-speed internet access, visit

http://www.projectendeavor.com/. To talk to a service representative, you

can use the communication method you prefer - voice (877-NETME77), sign

language (VP 605-644-7399) or text (TTY 877-403-4596).

Get started on the road to high-speed Internet services and get access to

closed captioned videos, use remote interpreters, learn new skills, look for

jobs and connect to others on social media like Facebook.

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Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

I had a nice chat with Al Baum from Uniden who explained the new TIA

standard for rating digital cordless phones. Uniden is a member company of

TIA.

Not long ago digital cordless telephone manufacturers started receiving

complaints from individuals who experienced noise while using cordless

phones. The noise was caused by interference when using the t-coil in their

hearing aid or cochlear implant. TIA organized and supported research to

determine how much noise is too much noise. A working group was formed to

establish a standard. It included Mr. Baum as well as Bress of AST

Technology Labs and Steve Whitesell. Working with Kozma-Spytek of

Gallaudet University, they developed a testing method to characterize the

magnetic interference. Data obtained by the studies was used to quantify

signal-to-noise ratios. The result is TIA's standard to measure noise,

known as the TIA 1083.

The next time you are shopping for a cordless phone, check for the TIA-1083

compliant logo on the package. It identifies that the phone has less

magnetic interference with hearing aids and cochlear implants so you get a

louder and clearer signal. Here is what you should look for on the box:

TIA-1083 Mark

For more information: http://www.tiaonline.org/

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