Contemplated Legislation To Provide Telecommunications for the Deaf

GAO discussed legislation under consideration which would provide for telecommunications between deaf people and various agencies of federal, state, and local governments. It would provide for installation of terminals in government offices and in other locations, for establishing equitable rates for use of certain terminals, and for assistance personnel at certain locations. Grants would be made to state and local governments to assist in meeting costs. Terminals now used by the deaf employing the Baudot Code are not compatible with terminals that use the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Devices to make the terminals compatible add complexity and cost.