Okay - Federal ADA Law Title III in various Chapte...

Question

Okay here's an issue here - I am profoundly deaf; I have to type to communicate! Forget about SKYPE - Relay is FREE, Usage of Communications is FREE for the hearing impaired and profoundly deaf. NOW since some of the Federal Relay Operations have just now been kicked out since Microsoft acquired and merged over to Skype two differing things which caused everyone to move over to AOL's AIM.  I do not like the AOL's AIM or IM anymore because it is not secured as they used to be.
This would now be a direct violation of the Federal ADA Laws in TITLE III in multiple sections and chapters ... I am sorry - it's been there for ages and to have this all set up and configured for all of this which has no meaning and merit for someone who is profoundly deaf (or hearing impaired) for that matter when one only wants to type messages and we're being charged for it?
I do not think soooooo!
Microsoft should had read the Laws first before they jumped into this because I can smell trouble plus multitudes of class action lawsuits and individual lawsuits compiling up by reasons for this matter? No one is happy about this at all. I cannot stop these people from proceeding forward; but their complaints are surmounting as much as they loathe with a passion of having to download Trillian or other alternative modes rather than AOL's AIM itself by reason of all those ADS. Who can blame them?
I've been an advocate for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired for years; in fact, there would have been no Relay Service until the Federal Government provided the grant; I was "drafted" in the piloting stage years ago, by the very founder of the Deaf Service Center that was so widely known and proudly sponsored by United Way. Jerry (the founder) himself, hand selected all individuals in my State; for only but a few States and Provider who were selected to participate in this Relay Service. Both times my State and MCI had teamed up and nailed it down. Since then, N.A.D. (National Association for the Deaf) originally was the Organization until FCC took over; while the Board of Directors - such as Sprint, AT&T, so on - still monitors everything ... Relay Services has exploded as Technology innovation boomed insomuch no more dialing that 10 digit number, 711 became the official number for USA and CAN - soon it was the number for other Countries who used it as well as 911. (Not all Countries however ... but there are some parts in some Countries where they have this functionality while remainder of the Country itself does not; nevertheless, it is growing.)
Superimposed, online relay has been available since AOL IM came to being; and once again, I was hand picked to test (no such word as BETA back then in those days - it was either piloting or testing in phase modes) relay online. Very successful insomuch online relay has grown likewise in technology and improvised over the years.  I am Federally registered as well as State registered; even my online number is Federally registered.
Why do I make notation of this? Because usage of tele-communications online is free. SKYPE wants to charge something that which is paid by the Federal Government for the hearing impaired and deaf - nothing? This makes no sense ...
Now do you have the whole picture here? Not everyone can get it because one has to be legitimately registered while it varies in USA by State and one can also be registered Federally as well; in Canada, it all depends on the Providence and where they reside in accordance to the Canadian / Canadien Laws. So a hearing person can not "cheat" the system which is quite obvious; but not only has this Relay System become just limited to hearing impaired and deaf - but also for the visually impaired, physically impaired and so forth - those who qualify; obtain these services for free at no charge.
There is my question here - why would I have to pay for something I could communicate which I once was able to do so before on MSN MSGR - but now "stuck" with this "stupid AOL AIM" which their own Server is not always reliable.
Put the shoe on the other foot - is this fair? No it isn't; in fact, I do have to side with the others who are exceeding upset; not being bias here but the Law is the Law - while I once used to hear at one time, not anymore. Maybe someone can at least manifest this sense of urgency and correct this issue and look up and re-read that Federal Law because it also includes Relay and for Communications not just for the deaf and hearing impaired, but for others as well.
If you were to call me, answer me, how am I supposed to hear it? How am I supposed to know what you're saying? I am totally reliant on typing - at the standpoint; with the consumption given with much provisions thereof,  majority of the individuals are not fast typist so what you can speak in 10 seconds can actually take a disabled person up to 1 to 2 minutes just to type a message in; for there are very, very few typists who have such the ability to type as fast as I can.
Although with deepest regrets having to post this message; someone has to stand up and speak up for the multi-millions of Americans and the Billions of those worldwide. One person's post "speaks" for the "voice" of all.
Thank you for your understanding, this is not a bias or demeaning post but a valid merited post and I fear Microsoft is about to become what had happened to many other major Corporations; they were not immune; even Wells Fargo (look it up and read it) was fined heavily by Federal Judges and denied Wells Fargo as well as every other Major (and minor) Corporations immunity from lawsuits for being non-compliant to the Federal ADA Law.
Just because .... does not mean you are safe and immune; many others thought so too, until the Federal Judges fined them likewise and the President is enforcing it due to abuse and misuse; and FCC was overwhelmed with complaints. The Congress and Senate had did all they could but Corporation Giants would turn a deaf ear (literally speaking) and just scoff about it for a prolonged time until one single Congressman took it up to the Federal Judge with an FCC Commissioner, from there began the investigation and fines from there .... beginning with the most complaints starting first then they are still going forth. Wells Fargo was fined for Billions, it does not include additional millions going out to additional communities and so forth (look it up). But it does not stop there; for it was just the beginning. The Alarm has sounded, enough of the abuse and misuse of the Federal ADA Law ...
For those reading this post; you might find it very interesting after looking up on Wells Fargo for they were struck down first (but not going to be the last either because many others were next in line as well and continues onwards to this current stance); was the fact Wells Fargo went forth with a motion for immunity from lawsuits - that which was denied. Any person can file a suit, whether individually or as a class action was their final judgment. WHY did the Federal Judge impose that order so quickly without any hesitation? It is because it was a direct violation of the Federal ADA Law and they already as well as everyone else KNOWS that Federal ADA LAWS are right there the whole entire being, the fault lies with them for the failure on their end. The implication from the Federal Judges imposition imposed was to anyone and all.
Do not quote me on this, if no one likes it - the Law has been there for ages; it has been trod down, abused, misused, soiled upon without any regards and insomuch they went so far to impose their own Company or Corporation policies to override it because they consider themselves "immune" from that Law. If that is all still available for public viewing; the arguments that not only Wells Fargo but others likewise, have tried to "push it over the fence". It won't work. It would be just like throwing the United States Constitution out the door!

Answer 1

If it were not for my son's wife sugery in the afternoon yesterday; he and his family would not be in my house. I did not authorized Microsoft to use my telephone number nor did I authorize Microsoft to use my home telephone number which is unlisted, private, unpublished, federally protected, State protected - to be inserted into Skype because it is associated with a TDD/Relay call.
My flashers (aka singalers) have been ringing off the wall throughout the night and my grandchildren have school! No Caller ID was appearing whatsoever; I had no laptop as I am confined in bed - all my configurations is turned off; I am not on a metered Sync with all due respect that WiFi and Phone is FREE everywhere by my Provider. Thanks and no thanks; until after nearly 2 AM having finally gotten through to a Relay System (all because of this non-stop calls) and after my Provider was able to reset the other box I own to force the Caller ID back on - everything was showing up as Microsoft Marke -- meaning Microsoft Marketing with Microsoft's telephone number. I had the Relay Supervisor to Dial that number while the other Supervisor (Provider) was on the line and it was a Skype just exactly what my bleary-eyed son who was so tired of hearing this non-stop phone ringing even with the volume on so low; it was waking up their children (AND DID I SAY THEY HAD SCHOOL?). They were CRYING because they could not sleep.
First my son was going to deal with it because I am profoundly deaf myself; repetitiously I kept saying the same thing but it was all in vain you were making ME SLEEP DEPRIVED - you could have SENT ME INTO THE HOSPITAL in the EMERGENCY ROOM for you were one step away from accomplishing this feat due to my medical conditions (for I have had 5 major surgeries, 3 more to go! Those flashers are seizure provocative; yet it had blown out 14 light bulbs and do you plan on replacing them as expensive as they are? These are not your average light bulbs but right now - all these phone calls have literally blown out those Spectrum Lights which are exceeding expensive because I am photic)!
For your information; just one bulb cost $49.95 - you have blown 12 of my Spectrum Lights (which they are very difficult to find; my Doctor ordered it and while they have its own long life-span; being ill, I have removed them from other parts of the house for now and this is uncalled for until they are ALL blown - the average life-span is 15 to 20 years per bulb).
When my son answered the phone, he got part of the message of "turn your webcam on" and he hung up; and told me it's a prank. Only to have the Caller to call back again and he listened closely "turn your web cam on, you have a video chat." I was totally perplexed; my son is looking at my regular phone here (it is not a cell phone or smart phone; but a regular landline phone which is connected to the TDD for direct connect; for if the TDD machine fails me or there's an emergency - we have Enhanced 911 system here; I am registered there too so they are fully aware if anything goes wrong with my TDD - I can't hear; they can take the message as I can talk and know what to say and hang up and wait for help to arrive).
By the time these Supervisors here from two different Major Providers; mine and the Relay - were at their Wit's end; trying to figure out what all is going on until my own Provider reset the box and only then when the Supervisor placed a test call; it came up as Microsoft Marke -- meaning Microsoft Marketing instead of the Provider's Name!
1) This is a direct violation of the FCC Rules and Regulations to call someone after 9 PM - it's illegal!
2) Constant phone calls non-stop can lead you to a FELONY charges against you especially if you were out of State; it becomes a Federal Felony charge.
3) WHY a FELONY Charge? Because it is a direct violation of FCC Rules, regulations, Federal ADA Laws, State Laws, and then some plus additional charges by reason of constant and continual calling of individual which includes if one did not add their own personal information - like my phone number is a Federal and State Crime; Corporates are not exempted nor are they IMMUNE either. There have been many cases where "Spamming and Swapping all the way to "bait and switch" without one's consent and knowledge" - hence one reason why my State has the most rigid laws  which FCC and ADA of the Federal Government also agrees and abides as well adheres to it; because of its heavy population of Senior Citizens who are heavily vulnerable including those who are disabled, handicapped, et al (yadda, yadda, yadda). Superimposed; many have been fined heavily and jailed if not kicked out of this State (their businesses) for that violations. Some Major Providers and Businesses are BANNED in this State because of their constant failures to abide by the State Laws. The Laws have been there for years are to protect the Senior Citizens and others from such Fraud; since this State used to be the number 1 State with Frauds until all these Laws came to place (I might be wrong but I believe they all began developing since 1950s and gradually built up all the way to its current state; many have been amended by reason of changes in innovations and technology).  This all started off with USPS and door to door salesmen; yet Scammers to Slammers still persists in this State but they DO and WILL get caught; whether an Individual or Business (they could careless who you are or what you are; if you are violating it - you are in serious trouble; breaking the law. It does not matter what State you are coming from or where you are or who you are - we have a Law here that you are REQUIRED to have permits and have to obtain such to meet the requirement to adhere to the State Laws. Businesses are heavily monitored; and yet - Businesses have been given the boot too; which may be an eye opener right there especially when one is such a well known household name; they've lost their privileges to even do businesses in this State nor can they provide any provisions of any type of businesses in this State either.
4) Registered also on Do not call list as well as Do not mail list; I am opt out of all marketing calls and mail (although some local businesses do send out mass USPS mail but they are exempted) since the day it became available. How would YOU LIKE IT if I phoned you non-stop constantly and endlessly throughout the night and day where you cannot even place you own calls out ... you are trapped? Put the shoe on the other foot!
Meanwhile with this being said, I had to dig real deep into Microsoft; I am originally and always had been with MSN MSGR - the last time I looked it was a MSGR ... but digging deeper - I found it and I never gave anyone the authorization to use my telephone number because that number belongs to my provider. My profile is left unfinished for obvious reasons; I do not want SKPE nor do I want anything involved with it - I would rather that Microsoft kept the two and two separate.
You can sign me as completely sleep deprived for I have spent hours; now I have to what appears; having to manually go to the registry editor just to remove SKYPE after having left messages to a few on my MSN MSGR buddy list is totally absurd even my account there was showing as Messenger and no correlation to SKYPE account at all.
OF NOTE: In METRO 8 FAMILY - it is very interesting just because one has uninstalled the app does not do anything, you have to go to the DESKTOP, and to go run (in your APPDATA - Local--->Microsoft-->Windows-->WINX-->Group 2 and you can right click file folder to the taskbar and right click run to the task bar; you can view you Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 from there - that is where all your Commands and functions are if you need them on the desktop) type in appwiz.cpl - you will find 3 SKYPES there; it is interesting the new version is there along with the Click to Run plus the regular Skype; you need to uninstall the Click to Run first, then the newest version next and then the Skype but it isn't going to work in Windows Update to uninstall it because it's going to tell you it can't find the MSI uninstaller. (The MSI uninstaller would be found in C Drive or whatever path your METRO 8 is on; for my desktop is dual boot mode of Win 7 Ultimate and Metro 8 Pro OEMs; while this brand new Laptop or Netbook
is solely METRO 8 OEM; yet this is in sychronization with the desktop but I have been unable to use it being confined to bed since last August of last year due to prolonged illness - would be found in your Windows - which is often a hidden folder but clicking on it; Skype is usually found in some KEYS plus some MSP (an application which is an MSI installer) which looks to you like little blue boxes everywhere in there. If you scroll over it, you can seee the programs to apps and so forth of what all is in there.) Because they are still all there means it's still in the registry, even after reboot (aka restart); as much as I loathe doing this, rolling back aka System Restore does not get rid of Skype; because it has become part of the Operating System (aka OS).
I am not so looking forward going into the registry editor to manually remove SKPE OUT! This is a major P.I.T.A!