WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is the first federal agency to partner with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer a dedicated new communications service allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to communicate with the agency directly in American Sign Language (ASL), rather than through typed text or other third-party intermediary services. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet launched the customer service initiative alongside Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the FCC, and Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz, President of Gallaudet University. The service is part of the SBA’s continued efforts to make services and programs more accessible to all communities.
View a video of the announcement at https://vimeo.com/130387407
