MADISON ? Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #190?that makes technical changes to the Telecommunications Relay Service Council. The Telecommunications Relay Service Council, initially created in 1990, has been recreated by executive order under previous administrations and was recreated most recently by Gov. Evers through Executive Order #182, which re-established several non-statutory councils, task forces, and committees. At the request of the Council, Executive Order #190 makes minor changes to modernize the terminology, membership requirements, and membership size of the existing Telecommunications Relay Service Council.

?Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay Service is a critical program for folks throughout our state and ensuring that this council continues to support the individuals who use these vital services in a way that is equitable and inclusive of their broad range of needs is essential,??said Gov. Evers.??We are grateful for each council member?s work and dedication to ensuring these services remain accessible to all.?

The Telecommunications Relay Service Council will continue to provide guidance and strategies to help ensure individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and those with a speech disability can fully participate in communities and have equal access to communicate with others. The Council will consist of one member who is a professional in the field of speech disability, low vision/blindness, hearing loss or deafness, one member who is a representative of a small or rural telecommunications provider, one member who is a representative of a large or urban telecommunications provider, and six members who use telecommunications relay service, including four members who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing; one member with a speech disability; and one member who does not have a speech or hearing disability. Each Council member is appointed to a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. Members of the Telecommunications Relay Service Council include:

• Laura Plummer, member who is a professional in the field of speech disability, low vision/blindness, hearing loss or deafness;
• Tom Iverson, member who is a representative of a small or rural telecommunications provider;
• Nicole Mauritz, member who is a representative of a large or urban telecommunications provider;
• Margaret Calteaux, member who is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing; and
• Kyle Katers, member who is Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing.