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RE: Update on Sprint PCS free directory assistance

Hey, wait a minute. Where did this sense of entitlement come from. The only reason wired lan lines offer free directory assistance is because it provides equal access for blind persons to their published print phone book. There isn't a published print directory that wireless companies provide for their customers. Thus, sighted have to pay for directory assistants, so why not blind people. That is reverse discrimination. I am blind and I hope others will join me in speaking out against this.

_________________________________
Terri Hedgpeth
Disability Specialist .
Disability Resources for Students
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-3202
(480) 965-1232 (v)
(480) 965-0441 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 11:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Update on Sprint PCS free directory assistance

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Hello, everyone:
I received my second call from the executive operations office of Sprint PCS
this morning. For those of you who don't recall the details, I filed an FCC
complaint against Sprint PCS for their failure to provide free directory
assistance and connectivity for those of us in the blind community.

Most established land line companies waive the fees with only a signed
directive, so why not the cellular folks? I am aware that some wired line services
(other than SBC) make a fuss, but they'll remove the charges if you call them
and give them a gentle push. But, you have to do it every month.

Again, Sprint PCS contends there's no FCC requirement for free cellular
directory assistance and connectivity, but on their own, they are willing to do an
engineering feasibility study -- and they're willing to spend the dollars to
reach the goal of better service for blind cellular phone users. There are
multiple directory assistance companies throughout the nation, depending what
satellite is closest to the caller, and some may be out of business by the time
Sprint PCS asks if they'll come on board.

Sprint's initial talks with some of them said, "Sure, we'll be glad to get on
the bandwagon." I suggested to the coordinator a positive outcome could
provide great PR, therefore increase sales and service, yadda, yadda, yadda.

I'll wait to see where this goes. Perhaps one day the FCC will say this
should be a requirement of all cellular service providers, so please stay tuned.

BTW: No animals were killed to send you this update and no charges for time
were made to eBlind. It's just a bit of a Thursday diversion...
Sheila
Sheila R. Ashcraft, eBlind! Outreach Coordinator
PO Box 430209, Pontiac, MI 48343-0209
(248) 334-4329 Voice (248) 334-2226 Fax
e-Mail Address: [log in to unmask]
(If this e-mail requires a response, please do so promptly. Thanks.)

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<HTML>Hello, everyone: 
I received my second call from the executive operations office of Sprint PCS=
this morning.  For those of you who don't recall the details, I filed=20=
an FCC complaint against Sprint PCS for their failure to provide free direct=
ory assistance and connectivity for those of us in the blind community. 
 
Most established land line companies waive the fees with only a signed direc=
tive, so why not the cellular folks?  I am aware that some wired line s=
ervices (other than SBC) make a fuss, but they'll remove the charges if you=20=
call them and give them a gentle push. But, you have to do it every month.&n=
bsp; 
 
Again, Sprint PCS contends there's no FCC requirement for free cellular dire=
ctory assistance and connectivity, but on their own, they are willing to do=20=
an engineering feasibility study -- and they're willing to spend the dollars=
to reach the goal of better service for blind cellular phone users.  T=
here are multiple directory assistance companies throughout the nation, depe=
nding what satellite is closest to the caller, and some may be out of busine=
ss by the time Sprint PCS asks if they'll come on board.   
 
Sprint's initial talks with some of them said, "Sure, we'll be glad to get o=
n the bandwagon."  I suggested to the coordinator a positive outcome co=
uld provide great PR, therefore increase sales and service, yadda, yadda, ya=
dda.  
 
I'll wait to see where this goes.  Perhaps one day the FCC will say thi=
s should be a requirement of all cellular service providers, so pleas=
e stay tuned.  
 
BTW: No animals were killed to send you this update and no charges for time=20=
were made to eBlind.  It's just a bit of a Thursday diversion... </FONT=
> 
Sheila 
Sheila R. Ashcraft, eBlind! Outreach Coordinator  
PO Box 430209, Pontiac, MI 48343-0209 
(248) 334-4329 Voice (248) 334-2226 Fax 
e-Mail Address:  [log in to unmask] 
(If this e-mail requires a response, please do so promptly.  Thanks.)</=
B></HTML>

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