Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals With Hearing and Speech Disabilities

In this document, the Commission addresses a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by Petitioner Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. (Hands On) on December 29, 2004. Hands On requests a Declaratory Ruling that is "Brown Bag Rewards Program," offered in connection with its provision of video relay service (VRS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS), does not violate any section of the Communications Act or any Commission rule. The Commission concludes that any program that involves the use of any type of financial incentives to encourage or reward a consumer for placing a TRS call, including the "Brown Bag Rewards Program," is inconsistent with section 225 of the Communications Act of 1934 and the TRS regulations.