FCC ruling would constitute ‘direct assault’ on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Washington (May 1, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-18) today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai urging the Commission to deny a petition by the ITTA-Voice of America’s Broadband Providers that would permit carriers to display Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund contributions on customer bills.  TRS ensures persons with hearing or speech disabilities are able to use necessary telephone services at no additional cost to an individual consumer.

“To specifically identify the cost of any ADA service (whether it be for a handicap accessible ramp or TRS) on any consumer or corporate bill in the form of a surcharge, fee, or any other form of a line-item discriminates against and ostracizes people with disabilities,” write Senator Markey and Rep. Doyle in their letter.  “Highlighting such costs creates an unacceptable environment where individuals with disabilities are seen as a ‘cost burden’ to society.  This is exactly what the passage of the ADA attempted to prevent.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

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