Press Release

PUC Announces Appointments to PA Relay Service Advisory Board

Published on 8/11/2005

Filed under: Telecommunications

           HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced appointments to its PA Relay Service Advisory Board.  The Board advises the Commission on matters related to Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), which enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabled to communicate by phone with the hearing public.

          The Commission appointed Altoona resident Leslie A. Kelly, of the Center for Independent Living of South Central PA,  and Chester County resident James P. Steele, of the National Federation of the Blind of PA, to serve two-year terms that will expire on Dec. 31, 2006.

            TRS is an AT&T phone service regulated by the PUC offering people who are hearing, deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled three ways to connect using the telephone:  Traditional Relay, Video Relay, and Internet Relay.  Users dial 7-1-1 to connect to a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) who follows a strict code of ethics and confidentiality.  The CA then relays your message to the person on the other line. 

            The TRS Board is comprised of representatives from the following:  AT&T, the Pennsylvania Telephone Association, the PUC, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and from the community of people who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons with language and speech disorders.  The Board meets quarterly in Harrisburg and functions as a user group providing guidance in such areas as problem solving and future enhancements. 

            The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as stewards of competition.

            For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.     M-00900239

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