STATEMENT OF
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Structure and Practices of the Video Relay Service Program; Telecommunications Relay Services 
and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, CG Docket 
Nos. 10-51 and 03-123. 
Today’s action will enable millions of Americans with disabilities to access telephone service in ways 
that are more simple, robust, and affordable.  Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or 
have a speech disability rely on this critical service to communicate with family, friends, and emergency 
personnel.  This program is a necessity in their daily lives.  
That’s why the Commission has taken several actions in this Order to preserve the program's integrity and 
long-term viability.  For instance, by encouraging the development of interoperability and portability 
standards for VRS devices and establishing a neutral video communication service provider, the 
Commission is promoting competition in ways that will benefit consumers. The Commission is also 
acting vigorously to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse while also initiating a transition from the existing, 
inefficient rate structure to rates that will ensure that the program's fiscal house is in order. We also set a 
goal of moving to a market-based approach for setting rates in the near future. I want to thank my 
colleagues for joining me in this unanimous decision to better serve millions of Americans with 
disabilities.