September is Deaf Awareness Month!
September 20: FCC launches Video Relay Service
The FCC began regulating Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) – text/TTY – for people with hearing and speech disabilities in the 1970s–80s. With broadband growth, the FCC authorized Video Relay Service (VRS) in the early 2000s—allowing Deaf users to connect to hearing people through live video interpreters using ASL, funded via the Universal Service Fund.
VRS expanded access rapidly but brought challenges like fraud, variable call quality, and 911/location issues. The FCC responded with stricter provider certification, quality standards, fraud controls, and improved emergency routing while continuing to support technological improvements (mobile apps, better video).
Definition of VRS on FCC’s website (official): fcc.gov/consumers/guides/video-relay-services
Wikipedia: wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_relay_service