CSD Signs On As Title Sponsor of the 16th Biennial TDI Conference

From: CSD - Jul 5, 2005

____________________________
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
Release Date: July 7, 2005
Contact: Derric Miller
CSD Communications Office
dsmiller@c-s-d.org

CSD Signs On As Title Sponsor of the 16th Biennial TDI Conference

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (June 21, 2005) — TDI (aka Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.) recently announced New Orleans as the location of their 16th biennial conference, which will take place July 11–13. CSD has signed on as the title sponsor of the conference.

The theme of the conference is "Access Today! Big Easy Tomorrow …" Known as "The Big Easy," New Orleans, a city rich in history but also with a flair for the artistic, is the perfect locale for conference goers to gather and press for the access needs of all deaf and hard of hearing Americans. After conference hours, visitors can also experience the spirit of New Orleans, from its well known hospitality to its Cajun dishes.

"Historically, TDI has been one of the most important consumer advocacy organizations today," said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. "We should encourage their continued vigilance in defending and demanding Deaf America's access rights. That is why CSD signed on as their title sponsor again, and we are proud to be part of their 16th biennial conference."

This is the third biennial convention in a row that CSD has supported TDI as the main sponsor.

"TDI is enormously pleased to have CSD as among its major sponsors for the upcoming Conference in New Orleans. In fact, it has committed the largest sponsorship for the conference," said Claude Stout, TDI executive director. "We are deeply appreciative of CSD's support and recognition of our consistent, thorough efforts in Washington, D.C. for better telecommunications and media access for the nation's deaf and hard of hearing population. TDI and CSD have partnered on a number of different occasions, and this is just one more opportunity both organizations have in working together for an inclusive Deaf and Hard of Hearing America."

About CSD
CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting services to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today, CSD employs over 3,000 individuals in offices across the nation, providing a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as well as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit agency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public accessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more information, please visit www.c-s-d.org.

About TDI
TDI (Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc.) was established in 1968 originally to promote further distribution of TTYs in the deaf community and to publish an annual national directory of TTY numbers. Today, it is an active national advocacy organization focusing its energies and resources to address equal access issues in telecommunications and media for four constituencies in deafness and hearing loss, specifically people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind.


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