• Director of Telecommunications Access Of MD Named to FCC Committee
• Grand Opening of the NFB Research and Training Institute

Director of Telecommunications Access Of MD Named to FCC Committee

Brenda Kelly-Frey to represent NASRA, TEDPA and Maryland Relay

August 20, 2003 (Baltimore, MD) -Brenda Kelly-Frey, Director of Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM) and Maryland Relay, the phone service for the deaf, Deaf Blind, hard of hearing, and speech impaired, has been named to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC).

Kelly-Frey will represent the National Association of State Relay Administration (NASRA), Telephone Equipment Distribution Program Association (TEDPA), and Maryland Relay, which is a public service overseen by TAM. She joins Rebecca Ladew, a Governor's Advisory Board for Telecommunications Relay (GABTR), who represents the speech-disabled community on the Committee.

CAC's predecessor advisory committee was the Consumer Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee that had been operating for two years. The committee was re-chartered in 2002 as the Consumer Advisory Committee to reflect the broader scope of its responsibilities. The Committee is organized under, and operates in accordance with the provisions of, the Federal Advisory Committee Act 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (1988).

"I'm really so honored to serve on this committee," said Kelly-Frey. "Part of my responsibilities as Director of the TAM office is to represent our community. This appointment allows me to be an advocate and voice for those we serve."

Maryland Relay, a public service overseen by TAM - Telecommunications Access of Maryland, a program within the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, holds the distinction of being the fifth busiest relay service in the nation and is also the country's busiest relay service on a per-capita basis for the tenth year in a row. Maryland Relay is repeatedly recognized as the most proactive relay service in the nation. Our website can be accessed at www.mdrelay.org.

Media Contact:
Susan Weis
410-296-0800
sweis@devaney.net

Grand Opening of the NFB Research and Training Institute

(Republished from "Building Our Future," Summer 2003, a publication of the National Federation of the Blind)

Preparations are underway for the Grand Opening of the NFB Research and Training Institute. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2004, the evening will feature cuisine and beverages from many of Baltimore's best restaurants and night spots, interesting demonstrations of Institute initiatives, a fast-paced program (which will include a couple of surprises), and special entertainment. Over 1,000 guests are expected to attend-from across the country as well as the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

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This 170,000-square-foot facility is located adjacent to the NFB's national headquarters in Baltimore. It will be the nation's first research and training institute dedicated to the development of innovative technology, education, and training for the blind and the first research and training center developed and operated by an organization of blind
people.

Contributions from over 18,000 individuals, corporations, and foundations plus grants from the United States government and the State of Maryland are making the construction of the NFB Research and Training Institute a reality. We are very close to raising the $19.5 million for construction, but funds are still needed to equip and furnish this state-of-the-art facility.

We hope to raise an additional $500,000 at the Grand Opening. Help make this the grandest of grand openings. Please see sponsorship opportunities at www.nfb.org or call 410-659-9314 and ask for Dr. Betsy Zaborowski at extension 357.