Video Relay Abusers Indicted

From Jenifer Simpson (AAPD):

Abuse of Telecommunications Relay Services Fund: Advocates Applaud Fed Crackdown

The US Department of Justice indicted abusers of the telecommunications relay services fund November 19, 2009 and has advocates applauding enforcement of disability laws.  The DOJ charged twenty-six people with engaging in a scheme to steal more than $50 million from the Video Relay Service (VRS) program.  VRS is one form of relay service that allows people with hearing disabilities who are sign language users to make phone calls through interpreters and using web cameras, at no cost to the user. The VRS program reimburses companies that provide this service, and is funded by fees assessed by telecommunications providers to telephone customers. The FCC, the US Postal Service and the FBI were all involved in this enforcement effort. Users of VRS need this form of accessibility to make phone calls! The bad apples have to go!

 

DOJ press release

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/November/09-crm-1258.html

 

FCC release

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-294764A1.doc

 

Legal Times

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/justice_department/

 

BBC-UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/seehear/2009/11/us_video_relay_services_defrau.html

 

CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/19/eveningnews/main5713910.shtml

 

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/19/deaf.fraud.indictments/index.html

 

Deafnet news

http://www.deafhh.net/wp/2009/11/19/twenty-six-charged-in-nationwide-scheme-to-defraud-the-fcc%E2%80%99s-video-relay-service-program-arrests-made-in-nine-states/ “

 

TERPlink blog

http://www.terplink.com/profiles/blogs/my-reply-to-the-cbs-article

 

Comments

[Bruce Cowan]

I. DISCRIMINATION FACTS Env.Protection
Agency

A. Dear Justice for All/EEOC:

There are still too many job barriers and discrimination factors for people with disabilities. We have to eliminate these barriers/discrimination factors effectively; the definition of disability/special prgms must not create yet another barrier to be selected for an interview or hired. On Thursday November 5, 2009 I receive another rejection message from the EPA. The Human Resources Specialist said my application was reviewed against the requirements outlined on the EPA Internship registration announcement. The FCIP opportunity was posted as a registration site for participants of the Region 9, Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) Job Fair held September 17, 2009 in San Francisco, CA. I was also determined ineligible for this position because I did not provide the required Registration Code that was provided on-site to the participants of the Region 9 Job Fair.

The EPA human resources decision was not fair and did not provide an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and practice regulations under the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). The job I applied for was not an EPA Internship position, and the EPA never told me about other application information and requirements needed for the Reg 9-OT-2009-0016, Env Eng/Phy Sci/Life Sci GS-0819/1301/0401-07/09.
Furthermore my resume and application states I am a Certified Client with the Selective Placement Program (Federal Schedule A), Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, and California Limited Examination and Appointment Program. Designed to facilitate the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities.
I feel these programs are still too weak/undstood and create barriers to be hired and/or to get an interview. Since 1990 I have been sending my resume (Schedule A) to the EPA with no success.

• Melissa A. Rodriguez
Human Resources Specialist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 98516Las Vegas, NV 89193-8516

B. Other Facts

I am unemployed due do my disability (Complex Partial Epilepsy); I face discrimination in our land of equal employment opportunity.

Our employers’ discriminate people with disability and it has become a big problem in the USA. Since graduation 1990 of Cal State University, Northridge I have been looking for employment opportunities in all areas. My goal is to work in Environmental Science and/or Soc Sec Admin. My background includes a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Occupational Health coupled with 1.7 years of multi-assignment volunteer services with the California Air Resources Board, Mobile Source Operations Division of El
Monte; involved with the Field Studies and Warranty Section and Vehicle Certification Section. I scored 95 on the Air Pollution
Specialist examination of 2009 (California Air Resources Board). I am waiting for an interview with the ARB of California and Social Sec Administration. Since 1993 I have been trying to get an interview and be hired by the ARB; passed all Air Pollution Specialist examinations with good top 3 ranks.

Have the Federal Schedule A Certification 2009, Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, and California Limited Examination and Appointment Program. Designed to facilitate the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities.

My monthly income is the Social Security Administration (SSI) which is not wanted to survive. I only want a nice professional job in our beautiful country.

Should you wish to contact me, I can be reached during the day at (916) 488 – 4166 and bcowan2@Msn.com.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

II. Dear Ms Linda Adams, Secretary for Environmental Protection California

A. Will there be a new employment outreach or new special hire programs for people with disabilities for the Cal EPA and ARB. Hopefully ensuring individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity and open door to employment.

Since graduation of 1990 CSUN, B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Occupational Health. I have been looking for employment opportunities in all areas. My goals are to work for the California Air Resources Board, Microsoft, or Soc Sec Admin.

I am still waiting for an interview; for 1.7 years I have applied to Air Pollution Specialist positions for the California Air Resources Board. Since 5/2009 I sent approx. 15 applications for Air Pollution Specialist positions. 2008 - 2009, I scored 95 on the Air Pollution Specialist non-verbal examinations with the hire rank of 3.

Sincerely,

Bruce Cowan

[John Smith]

what does Bruce Cowan's long letter above have to do with video relay service abuse? Why isn't AAPD moderating this kind of thing? Take the comment away or stick it somewhere else where it belongs. Abuse of web sites has to end the same way abuse of video relay has to end. Let deaf people have what they need!