WHAT'S NEW WITH TAM
Outreach Coordinator, Rebecca Miller, Presents at NENA 2022
In the spring of 2022, Real-Time Text (RTT) Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Miller presented to the National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA) Joint Committee Meeting about RTT services. Her presentation at the virtual summit got the attention of many key players in the organization who had limited knowledge of what RTT is and how it will be critical for 9-1-1 accessibility in the near future.
After her virtual presentation, Rebecca was invited to present at NENA 2022, which took place
on June 11 through June 16, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.
TAM Director Honored at the Baltimore Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Awards
TAM Executive Director, David Bahar, was one of 10 individuals honored on June 9, 2022, at the Leaders In Diversity celebration hosted by the Baltimore Business Journal at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum! The awards recognized influential executives and business owners who promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Greater Baltimore business community. David was celebrated for leading our efforts at TAM, Maryland Relay, and MAT, to make telecommunications accessible for everyone in Maryland. Congratulations, David!
Read more from the Baltimore Business Journal.
Maryland Relay Celebrates 30 Years!
On December 1, 1991, the very first Maryland Relay call was made. Now, thirty years later, we had the privilege of honoring the public service that helps Marylanders—including those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, DeafBlind, or have difficulty speaking—stay connected to what matters most.
Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM) and Maryland Relay celebrated this milestone on December 1, 2021, at the TAM office with a hybrid 30th anniversary celebration. The 60-minute program brought people together both virtually and in person, and honored individuals who have been a significant part of Maryland Relay’s journey. Speakers shared memories from the past, as well as plans for Maryland Relay’s future. It was a wonderful event that celebrated all that we’ve accomplished in the last 30 years.
The MAT Program Introduces the Communication Facilitator Service
The MAT program is introducing a valuable new service for people living with combined hearing and vision loss. The Communication Facilitator (CF) service enables Marylanders who are DeafBlind, and use American Sign Language, access to video communication platforms, such as videophone (VP), Video Relay Services, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, Google Meet, and more.
During the video call, the communications facilitator, who is a skilled signer, copies sign language from the other video caller and provides visual information to the individual who is DeafBlind through close vision or tactile sign language.
MAT’s goal for introducing and overseeing the CF service is to provide more accessible communication services to Marylanders who are DeafBlind, while also training more facilitators, and educating the community about what it means to be DeafBlind. These calls can be conducted on a computer, iPad, iPhone, TV monitor, or other video-displaying device. With the assistance of the facilitator, individuals who are DeafBlind can have natural, easy conversations with friends, family, coworkers, and more if the service is requested. CF service can be initiated in a person’s home or other public space.
For more information about the CF program, please contact MAT Manager Kevin Steffy or MAT Specialist Jane Hager.
