Memorandum Date: June 16, 1993 To: Mariam Bechtel From: Alec Vachon Re: Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. I spoke with Mark Buse of Senator McCain's regarding Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., and their 1993 gala celebration. Mark recommends this group highly, and indicated Senator McCain was pleased to lend his name to the event. McCain's office worked closely with this group in pushing for TTDs in every Senate office, and on ADA. (N.B.: McCain was the principal mover behind Title IV, concerning telecommunications). Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., is a small group best known for publishing a directory of TDD users (see attached description). It is co-located (and loosely affiliated) with the National Association for the Deaf. I have requested materials from Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., for our files and future reference. I recommend the Senator lend his name to this event. (page 2) Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) 814 Thayer Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301)589-3786 (Voice/TDD) (301)589-3006 (TDD) Disabilities Served: Deafness, hearing impairments, deaf-blindness, and speech impediments. Users Served: Disabled persons, parents, teachers, people with normal hearing and speech, general public with telecommunications interests and concerns. The Organization: Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) serves members, people with deafness and hearing impairments, and the general public with their needs of telecommunications by providing public information about telecommunications and deafness/ hearing impairment, assuring equal access to telecommunications technologies and services, supporting legislation affecting Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) users, and monitoring telecommunications issues and concerns across the country. Information Services: TDI publishes the International Telephone Directory of TDD Users, annually, which includes the TDD numbers of Federal, State, local agencies, businesses and organizations that serve deaf and hearing-impaired persons. TDI also publishes GA-SK Newsletter quarterly for TDI members. Nominal dues entitle members to the directory and GA-SK Newsletter. The Telephone Pioneers of America (TPA) 22 Cortlandt Street 25th Floor New York, NY 10007 (212)393-4397 Disabilities Served: All disabilities. Users Served: Individuals and community agencies. The Organization: The Telephone Pioneers of America (TPA) is an industry-related volunteer organization. The TPA is a nonprofit association, and its membership comprises more than 800,000 long-term and retired employees of the telecommunications industry. The 380 (page 3) (image: fireworks and streamers) Gala Celebration 1993 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR THE DEAF, INC. Celebration Co Chairs Serator Tom Harkin (D-IA) • Senator John McCain (R-AZ) May 26, 1993 The Honorable Bob Dole United States Senate 141 Senate Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (A sticky note covers part of the first two paragraphs of the letter, obscuring text. The note reads, "6-2-93 Alec - Is this something the Sen. might want to lend his name to? Please advise me. Thank you. - Mariam") Dear Senator Dole: Passage of the landmark Americans With (Disabilities Act) [...] any of the 43 million Americans with disabilities. In [...] will be taken that will positively affect all of us [...] hard-of­hearing communities. On July 26, 1993, Title IV of the Act [...] become effective. As you know, Title IV requires [...] services to provide state-wide telecommunications [...] To commemorate this important occasion, Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI), a national nonprofit organization opening new avenues of communication for the deaf, hard-of­hearing and speech-impaired communities, will sponsor its first-ever Celebration aboard the Spirit of Washington cruise ship on Monday evening, July 26. July 26, 1993 is an historic date for all of us. We would like to invite you to lend your name to the Celebration Committee for this event and to help us appropriately mark an important milestone in the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Your support and participation will make this event a landmark celebration. TDI works to improve technology and accessibility for all who rely on visual telecommunications. In partnership with an Advisory Council representing all of the national organizations of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired consumers, TDI improves telecommunications relay systems, expands access to emergency and information service, and increases the availability of television captioning and visual alerting devices. (page 4) Additionally, TDI works directly with government and industry to assess visual telecommunications needs, foster the development of advanced telecommunication devices, and improve access to new technologies and services. TDI has played a key role in mandating emergency telephone accessibility for TTY users and currently leads the cooperative effort to assure compliance with ADA regulations. TDI publishes a comprehensive directory of Text Telephone users. TDI's annual directory is used by nearly half a million people. Although we realize that your busy schedule may preclude you from being with us on July 26, we hope you will still be willing to lend your name to our efforts. A form is enclosed for your convenience. If you need any additional information, please contact our Celebration Coordinator, Natalie Shear, at 202-833-4456. We look forward to hearing from you and to celebrating this historic occasion together. Sincerely, (signature) Alfred Sonnenstrahl Executive Director (signature) Pamela Ransom President