Gallaudet representatives provide input to FCC on expanding text-to-911

Gallaudet Representatives Provide Input to FCC on Expanding Text-to-911

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Tom Wheeler invited several members of the deaf community to a January 29 FCC meeting to discuss the importance of expanding text-to-911 service across the nation.

Wheeler encourages more text providers to offer the service because of its benefits, particularly in emergency situations, to the American public, especially deaf and hard of hearing people.

Providing input at the meeting were Gallaudet students Richard Spiecker and Edely Paez, Maryland School for the Deaf senior Jehanne McCullough, former University Ombuds Suzy Rosen Singleton, and ASL and Deaf Studies Program professor Benjamin Bahan.

The following day, the FCC issued a statement supporting broadening text-to-911 service, and seeking comment on regulatory comments to meet the goal .Representatives from Gallaudet’s student newspaper, The Buff and Blue, were on hand to interview Wheeler on the subject.