Thoughts on TDI's Statement Regarding Allegations of Manufactured VRS Minutes

August 2009

Editor: I think the Video Relay Service (VRS) is a wonderful accommodation for folks who sign, but I've long wondered why the costs are so high. In July, for example, the cost of VRS was about $52 million, which translates to over $600 million a year. This is five times the cost of all other Federal relay services combined, despite a very limited number of VRS users (estimated at less than one percent of Americans with hearing loss). Is it possible that part of the reason for these high costs is "manufactured" minutes?

Here's detailed information on relay costs.

Of course, I have to object to the statement that "VRS . . . was established . . . to provide functionally equivalent telephone service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing." We all know that the overwhelming majority of folks  who are hard of hearing DO NOT SIGN, and therefore CANNOT USE VRS. TDI has in the past been quite careful about claiming that VRS is an appropriate accommodation for people who are hard of hearing. I'm hopeful this is just a misstatement, rather than a reflection of a conscious decision to misinform the public that VRS is an appropriate accommodation for any significant percentage of hard of hearing people.

Here's their statement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TDI is deeply concerned about the allegations concerning abuse of Video Relay Services (VRS) and the Interstate TRS Fund, by engaging in the illegal and unethical practice of billing for "manufactured minutes".  With respect to that issue, TDI takes the following position:

TDI takes no position regarding the truth or accuracy of those allegations.

It is the position of TDI that VRS is an absolutely critical public service that was established by the U.S. Congress under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to provide functionally equivalent telephone service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. It is of the utmost importance that people be able to communicate in their preferred language with any and all sectors of society, especially during the course of employment, and during emergency situations where efficient communication may save a life.  TDI stands ready to educate any and all parties regarding the importance of VRS.

TDI fully supports the strict enforcement of all laws and regulations regarding the operation of VRS.

Because VRS services are reimbursed to providers from the Interstate TRS Fund, and because those services are essential to the well-being of the community of deaf and hard of hearing VRS users and the hearing people with whom they communicate, it is of utmost importance that the integrity of the service and of the Fund be maintained at all times.  The Interstate TRS Fund must only be used to reimburse for legitimate VRS minutes.