FCC DTV Consumer Education Workshop (Rural)

FCC TO HOLD DIGITAL TELEVISION CONSUMER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
ON CONSUMERS IN RURAL AREAS AND ON TRIBAL LANDS AND CONSUMERS WITH DISABILITIES

Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will hold two more Digital Television (DTV) Consumer Education Workshops. Each workshop will last approximately three to four hours.

The next workshop will be held on January 31, 2008, and will address issues related to ensuring that consumers in rural areas and on tribal lands are prepared for the DTV transition.

Following this, on February 28, 2008, the Commission will hold a workshop to address issues related to ensuring that consumers with disabilities are prepared for the DTV transition.

The workshops will be held at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th St., SW, Washington, DC, in the Commission Meeting Room, and will be webcast live from the FCC’s website, www.fcc.gov. A complete agenda can be found below.

For more information, please contact Pam Slipakoff at (202) 418-7705, pam.slipakoff@fcc.gov, or Lauren Patrich at (202) 418-7944, lauren.patrich@fcc.gov

AGENDA

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Pre-Program Demonstrations of Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Welcome -- FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. How to Reach and Provide Support on the DTV Transition to Consumers on Tribal Lands

Moderator: Catherine W. Seidel, Chief, FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Roundtable Participants:

Raymond D. Apodaca, Division of Tribal TANF Management, Office of Family Assistance Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Geoffrey C. Blackwell, Director, Strategic Relations and Minority Business Development, Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. (representing the National Congress of American Indians)

Francis Dunne, CPM, Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development/Office of the Asst. Secretary,
U.S. Department of the Interior

Craig L. Lewis, Federal Project Officer, Employment and Training Administration, Indian and Native American Programs, U.S. Department of Labor

Loriene Roy, President, American Library Association

Georgeline Sparks, Chief, American Indian/Alaska Native Program Branch, Office of Headstart, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Deswood Tome, Director of Communications and Commis-sioner for the Navajo Nation Telecommunications Commission, Navajo Nation

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break
Attendees are encouraged to view the digital-to-analog converter box demonstrations.

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. How to Reach and Provide Support to Rural Consumers on the DTV Transition

Moderator: Catherine W. Seidel, Chief, FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Roundtable Participants:

Commissioner Sharon Gillett, Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable

Tracy Grondine, Director of Media Relations, American Farm Bureau

Erik Johnston, Associate Legislative Director, National Association of Counties

Dr. Cathann Kress, Director for National 4-H Headquarters

Harry Roesch, Senior Telecommunications Advisor, Program Operations Division, Appalachian Regional Commission

Leroy Watson, Legislative Director, National Grange of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry

Larry Persily, Associate Director, Office of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

12:00p.m. – 12:15 p.m. Wrap Up

12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Demonstrations Continue

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279750A1.doc