Press Release

PUC Announces Appointments to the PA Relay Service Advisory Board

Published on 8/30/2007

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced two appointments to its PA Relay Service Advisory Board.

The Commission voted unanimously to appoint Robert J. Davis of Throop, Lackawanna County, and Todd Behanna of Belle Vernon, Fayette County, to serve two-year terms that will expire Aug. 30, 2009.

Davis has 12 years of experience working for the Social Security Administration dealing directly with deaf and hard of hearing people in an effort to provide user-friendly telephone equipment, instruction in the use of relay service equipment and help in solving any problems with existing equipment. He also taught for 12 years at the Pennsylvania State University.

Behanna is the director of independent living at the Western Pennsylvania School of the Deaf.  He also experience working for a relay service company as a customer service manager and contract manager. He is familiar with the Federal Communication Commission’s rules and regulations.

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.

TRS is an AT&T phone service regulated by the PUC offering persons 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 skillfully-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 balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of public meetings, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. M-00900239

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