FCC Accepting Applications for the Mississippi Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

October 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice [DA 13-2097] inviting interested parties to submit applications to become certified “to distribute equipment under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) to qualifying residents in Mississippi.” In accordance with Section 105 of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), NDBEDP began as a two-year pilot program in 2012 that enables low-income individuals who are deaf-blind to have access to the Internet and advanced communications through State equipment distribution programs.  Recently, The Arc of Mississippi noted that they were no longer able to participate as a NDBEDP provider and will withdraw from the program beginning January 1, 2014. Accordingly, the FCC is seeking applicants who wish to be certified as equipment distribution provider under the NDBEDP in Mississippi. Applications are open to both public programs and private entities and are due November 14, 2013.