SEATTLE

            DEAF-BLIND

                     SERVICE CENTER

PROPOSAL FROM HAWK RELAY

Dear Members and Friends of the DeafBlind Community:

We at Hawk Relay are excited about DeafBlind Relay Service (DBRS), and we hope you are, too!  DBRS allows deaf-blind people to make calls, finally overcoming a barrier that has long frustrated the community: access to telecommunication.  Because most deaf-blind people communicate easiest with tactile or up-close signing, DBRS will provide Communication Facilitators to interpret calls in person at deaf-blind people's homes, offices, or at a local DBRS center.

Hawk Relay aims to open ten regional DBRS centers.  Each center will help deaf-people start using DBRS, hire and train Communication Facilitators, and make sure services go smoothly.  We are eager for all deaf-blind people to be able to connect with anyone from anywhere.

But first, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) needs to approve Hawk Relay's proposal for providing nationwide DBRS.  If you feel that DBRS is important, we encourage you to let the FCC know.  There are several ways you can do this:

You can visit Hawk Relay's Web site for more information on DBRS at www.hawkrelay.com.

Or you can write an e-mail to the FCC at fccinfo@fcc.gov to say that DeafBlind Relay Services is important to you.

Or you can call 888-835-5322 (TTY/TDD) or 888-225-5322 (Voice).

If you have any questions about DBRS, please feel free to contact us.