Submitted by BCVRS Communications:
CRTC invites comments on the potential for a video relay service
for Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired
OTTAWA-GATINEAU, March 27, 2013 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched a public consultation
on whether video relay service for Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing
or speech impaired should be offered. As part of this consultation,
the CRTC will hold a public hearing starting on October 21, 2013, in
Gatineau, Que.
Currently, two text-based relay services, Internet Protocol relay and
teletypewriter relay, are available to Canadians who are deaf, hard of
hearing or speech impaired. Video relay service would enable people who
use sign language to communicate with voice telephone users via an
operator who relays the conversation from sign language to spoken
language, and vice versa.
“Video relay service is an example of the initiatives we are exploring to
improve the accessibility of communication services,” said Jean-Pierre
Blais, Chairman of the CRTC. “There are a number of factors that must be
weighed before we can decide whether this service should be made available
in Canada. We encourage all Canadians to participate in this consultation
and to share their views.”
Canadians are invited to share their views on, among others, the
following topics:
• the benefits of video relay service
• whether video relay service should be offered and, if so, how it could be
implemented and administered
• the costs of video relay service and how they should be covered, and
• how to make the best use of resources, such as VRS operators.
The CRTC encourages Canadians to participate by submitting their initial
comments by May 17, 2013. They may do so by:
• filling out the online form
https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/instances-proceedings/Default-Defaut.aspx?Lang=eng&YA=2011&S=O&PA=t&PT=nc&PST=a#2013-155
• writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2
• sending a fax at 819-994-0218, or
• by video in American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise
(LSQ).
The CRTC is making efforts to accommodate Canadians who communicate
primarily in ASL or LSQ. To promote their participation, ASL and LSQ
versions of the notice of consultation can be viewed on the CRTC’s
YouTube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CRTCgcca/feed
Canadians who communicate primarily in ASL and LSQ will also be able to
record their comments in sign language and upload their video on the
YouTube channel. These comments will be transcribed and posted on the
Commission’s website to enable people who do not understand sign language.
All comments will form part of the public record that will be considered
by the CRTC.
In addition, the CRTC will offer simultaneous interpretation in ASL and
LSQ during the October 2013 public hearing.
Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2013-155
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-155.htm
The CRTC
The CRTC is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises
broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
Reference documents:
News release:
CRTC to continue fact-finding exercise on video relay service (May 25, 2012)
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2012/r120525.htm
Reports:
The Evolution of Alternative Communications Technologies
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp130213.htm
The Technical Feasibility of Implementing a VRS in Canada
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/publications/reports/rp130307.htm
Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy:
CRTC-2009-430
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-430.htm
