FCC Expands Disability Access Obligations Of Inmate Calling Service
Providers And Proposes Additional Regulatory Changes To Improve
Communications For Inmates With Hearing And Speech Disabilities

by Michal Nowicki

On September 8, 2022 the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or
"Commission") released a report and order and further notice of
proposed rulemaking adopting sweeping changes to its regulations
governing access to telecommunications relay services (TRS) for
incarcerated individuals with hearing and speech disabilities. The new
rules require inmate calling service (ICS) providers to offer all
federally compensable forms of TRS, including video relay service
(VRS), Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay), and Internet
Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) (collectively,
Internet-based telecommunications relay services ("iTRS")), to
eligible inmates in most correctional centers, and, with a narrow
exception for the voice component of IP CTS, prohibit ICS providers
from charging inmates for these services. They also establish special
carceral TRS user registration requirements for IP CTS providers to
address the unique challenges associated with accessing these services
in correctional environments and clarify how certain mandatory TRS
minimum service standards apply in carceral settings.

https://tinyurl.com/4cvmr4hc

************************** Moderator's Note **************************

Well, well ... it seems that letting former inmates vote will have
some positive effects after all. :-)

Bill Horne