Federal Communications Commission FCC 16-69
1
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
Implementation of the Twenty-First Century 
Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 
2010, Section 105, Relay Services for Deaf-Blind 
Individuals
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CG Docket No. 10-210
ORDER
Adopted:  May 26, 2016 Released:  May 27, 2016
By the Commission:  Commissioner O’Rielly issuing a separate statement.
I. INTRODUCTION
1. In this Order, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) extends 
the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), as a pilot program, for one 
additional year, until June 30, 2017.  The NDBEDP provides up to $10 million annually to support 
programs that distribute communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind.  The 
NDBEDP has operated as a pilot program since July 2012 and is currently set to expire on June 30, 2016.
Extending the pilot program for an additional year will enable the NDBEDP to continue providing 
communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind without interruption while the 
Commission completes the proceeding that is underway to adopt rules to govern a permanent NDBEDP.  
II. BACKGROUND
2. The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 
(CVAA) directed the Commission to establish rules to provide up to $10 million annually from the 
Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (TRS Fund) to support programs that distribute 
communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind.
1
  In accordance with this 
directive, the Commission established the NDBEDP as a two-year pilot program, with an option to extend 
this program for an additional year.
2
  The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau) 
launched the NDBEDP as a pilot program on July 1, 2012.
3
  To implement the program, the Bureau 
certified 53 entities to participate in the NDBEDP – one entity to distribute communications equipment in 
                                                     
1
Pub. L. No. 111-260, 124 Stat. 2751, § 105 (2010); Pub. L. No. 111-265, 124 Stat. 2795 (2010) (making technical 
corrections to the CVAA).  Section 105 of the CVAA added section 719 to the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, and is codified at 47 U.S.C. § 620.
2
Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, 
Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 5640, 5649-50, para. 22 (2011) 
(NDBEDP Pilot Program Order); see also 47 CFR § 64.610 (NDBEDP pilot program rules).
3
Commission Announces Launch of the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, Public Notice, 27 
FCC Rcd 7403 (CGB 2012); see also NDBEDP Pilot Program Order, 26 FCC Rcd at 5685, para. 105 (delegating 
authority to the Bureau to take the administrative actions necessary to implement and administer the NDBEDP).  
CGB designated Jacqueline Ellington, Attorney Advisor, Disability Rights Office, as the NDBEDP Administrator.  
Federal Communications Commission FCC 16-69
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each state, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
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– and selected a 
national outreach coordinator to support the outreach and distribution efforts of these state programs.
5
  On 
February 7, 2014, the Bureau extended the pilot program for a third year, until June 30, 2015.
6
3. On August 1, 2014, the Bureau released a Public Notice inviting comment on the extent 
to which rules governing the NDBEDP pilot program should be retained, modified or replaced to make 
the permanent NDBEDP more effective and more efficient.
7
  Guided by over 40 comments received in 
response to that Public Notice, on May 27, 2015, the Commission released a comprehensive Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to obtain additional input from the public on how best to design and 
administer a permanent NDBEDP.
8
In addition, the Commission simultaneously issued an Order that 
extended the pilot program for an additional year, until June 30, 2016.
9
In response to the NPRM, 
numerous programs certified under the pilot NDBEDP, organizations representing consumers with 
disabilities, and individual consumers submitted their feedback and suggestions.  
III. EXTENSION OF THE NDBEDP PILOT PROGRAM
4. To ensure the uninterrupted administration of the NDBEDP until the conclusion of the 
rulemaking proceeding and the establishment of a permanent program for the delivery of communications 
equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind, we hereby extend the existing NDBEDP pilot 
program rules for one additional year, until June 30, 2017. We adopt this extension because we anticipate 
that this rulemaking proceeding and the implementation of new rules that may result will not be 
completed by June 30, 2016, when the rules governing the NDBEDP pilot program are scheduled to 
expire.
10
  Among other things, implementation may require time for the preparation and receipt of new 
applications for certification; the selection of newly certified entities; and approval from the Office of 
                                                     
4
Commission Announces Entities Certified to Participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution 
Program, Public Notice, 27 FCC Rcd 7397 (CGB 2012).  Reference to “state programs” or “certified programs” 
refers collectively to all of the jurisdictions that participate in the NDBEDP.
5
See Perkins School for the Blind to Conduct National Outreach for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment 
Distribution Program, Public Notice, 27 FCC Rcd 6143 (CGB 2012).  In addition, during the pilot program, the 
Bureau has provided guidance to state programs on compliance with the Commission’s NDBEDP rules.  See, e.g.,
“NDBEDP Frequently Asked Questions,” available at http://www.rolkaloube.com/#!ndbedpfaq/c1nlj (last viewed 
Apr. 6, 2016).
6
Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, 
Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Order, 29 FCC Rcd 1234 (CGB 2014) (extending the NDBEDP pilot 
program through June 30, 2015). 
7
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks Comment on the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution 
Program, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 9451 (CGB 2014).
8
Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, 
Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 30 FCC Rcd 5255 (2015).  For example, 
this NPRM sought comment on the structure of the permanent program; the criteria for becoming a certified 
program; certification duration; certification application and renewal processes; developing a centralized database 
for reporting, reimbursement, and oversight; consumer eligibility criteria; outreach efforts; individualized 
assessments of consumers’ communications and technology needs; equipment distribution, installation, and 
consumer training; the need for additional training resources; the system for allocating funding and reimbursing 
certified programs for their costs; certified programs’ reporting, audit, and record retention requirements; consumer 
complaints; and other considerations.
9
Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, 
Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Order, 30 FCC Rcd 5247 (2015) (NDBEDP Pilot Program 2015 
Extension Order).
10
See 47 CFR §§ 64.610(a), (k); NDBEDP Pilot Program 2015 Extension Order, 30 FCC Rcd 5247, 5249, para. 4 
(extending the NDBEDP pilot program through June 30, 2016).
Federal Communications Commission FCC 16-69
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Management and Budget for modified information collection requirements in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
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5. As the Commission stated previously, many individuals who have received equipment 
and training under the NDBEDP have reported that this program has vastly improved their daily lives, 
significantly enhancing their ability to live independently and expanding their educational and 
employment opportunities.
12
  Extending the pilot program will serve the public interest because it will
provide additional time to consider and address public comment in final rules for the permanent 
NDBEDP, to allow a seamless transition between the pilot and permanent programs.  This extension will 
also provide greater programmatic certainty and stability to entities that are currently certified to 
participate in the NDBEDP in each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.  To prevent a lapse in the pilot program, this extension of the pilot program rules 
shall be effective on July 1, 2016.
IV. ORDERING CLAUSES
6. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), and 719 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 151, 154(i), 154(j), 620, that this Order IS 
ADOPTED. 
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall be effective July 1, 2016.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary  
                                                     
11
Pub. L. No. 104-13, 109 Stat. 163.  See 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501-3520.
12
NDBEDP Pilot Program 2015 Extension Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 5248, para. 2.
Federal Communications Commission FCC 16-69
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STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY
Re: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, 
Section 105, Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, CG Docket No. 10-210
One year ago, I voted to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on rules for 
the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program that is required by the CVAA.  I noted that the 
current pilot program appears to have helped a number of deaf-blind individuals, who face unique 
challenges, to live more independently and take advantage of education and employment opportunities.  
Structured correctly, the so-called “permanent program” could extend these benefits to an even greater 
number of people in need of such equipment.    
I will reluctantly support the order extending the pilot program for another year to ensure the 
program is not interrupted, but I am beyond disappointed that the Commission was not able to complete 
rules for the permanent program during this past year.  This rulemaking has had the support of all five 
Commissioners and a number of outside parties, which does not happen too often.  Moreover, the 
permanent program is actually authorized by law, whereas the pilot program is in a more questionable 
state. Perhaps if the Commission had prioritized this rulemaking over others, we could have adopted final 
rules by now.  I would love for someone to share with me which other projects were so important to 
justify such inaction on this matter.
In the meantime, I expect that this additional time will be put to good use and that no further 
extensions of the pilot program will be required.  In particular, I offered several suggestions for the 
permanent program in my prior statement, such as establishing clearly defined and demonstrable goals; 
adopting performance measures and tailored reporting requirements; clarifying how funding will be 
prioritized should demand exceed the budget; and implementing safeguards against waste, fraud, and 
abuse.  These steps are similar to measures that have been adopted for various universal service programs, 
and some have also been recommended by the Government Accountability Office.  Together, they would 
help ensure that program is as efficient as possible and that the funding is targeted to provide the 
maximum possible benefit to consumers.  I hope that these recommendations, along with the feedback 
provided in the record, will be given full consideration as staff continues to work towards the final rules
in the coming months.  I look forward to engaging with staff in the near future to learn how the permanent 
program will be properly structured.