Washington DC. Denise "DeeNice" Rhodes (the Digital Dynamo) has been a champion for vulnerable Americans impacted by the DTV explosion.
Tonight (June 25th at 7:00 PM), local residents requested that DeeNice explain the challenges they are having since the switch over 12 days ago to the digital world. Location: The Van Ness Building Complex, 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, DC 20008
Working every day for the last year, her passion is to ensure underprivileged communities and the elderly will not be left in the dark when millions of analog TVs switched to digital on June 12, 2009.
She also wants to ensure that expectations and misinformation circulating about this monumental transition will not be allowed to negatively impact Americans, leaving them without access to the television viewing experience.
DeeNice's non-profit organization, The Urban Progressive Foundation, is responsible for providing DTV consumer education to over 10,000 residents and installing over 1400 digital converter boxes. She would like to share her grass-roots level perspective on experiences and best practices when working with seniors & underserved communities with your audience as soon as possible!
For more information call: 202-652-4700, or info@dtvoutreach.org. The Urban Progressive Foundation is a project of Congressional District Programs, a 501(c) 3 public charity. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
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Ms. Denise "DeeNice" Rhodes of Washington D.C. has been working every day for the last year to ensure underprivileged communities and the elderly in the mid- Atlantic area aren't left in the dark when analog TVs everywhere switch to digital June 12, 2009. But there is still much work to be done! In the Washington DC area alone, African Americans have the highest incidence of NOT redeeming their $40 coupons for the digital converter box. Based on December 2008 numbers only 25% of Washingtonians have redeemed their coupons.
She also wants to ensure that expectations and misinformation circulating about this monumental transition will not be allowed to negatively impact Americans, leaving them in the dark.
DeeNice's nonprofit organization, The Urban Progressive Foundation, is responsible for providing DTV consumer education to over 7000 residents, and installing over 1000 digital converter boxes by the end of this month. She would like to share her grass-roots level perspective on experiences and best practices when working with seniors & underserved communities with your audience as soon as possible! There are only seven days left before the transition.
If Ms. Rhodes can make an appearance on your show, please contact us at 202-652-4700 or info@dtvoutreach.org. She would be honored to do so and many communities would be served by this opportunity. If she is able to give a simple demonstration or share important and valuable information many Americans, who may otherwise have no idea how or where to get help, can be served by these efforts.
For more information call: 202-652-4700, or info@dtvoutreach.org
We are almost there.Yes after much press - the DTV transition from analog to digital is almost here. And none too soon.
Even thought there are still a few million folks not ready for the conversion, positive strides have taken place since the new Obama Administration has come into office.
First in 2009 the 4 million Americans on the waiting list "coupon hopefuls" were shipped first class mail their $40 coupons in about 3 weeks time. Fantastic!
Next those whose $40 coupons had expired were able to re-register for a new coupon. And the FCC has issued contracts for installation of the digital converter boxes, help center etc etc.
We are on our way to June 12 2009 - Digital Day!
In the midst of the transition a local non-profit group, The Urban Progressive Foundation (a project of CDP, 501(c) 3) has committed to assisting underserved Americans not be left in the dark.
When DeeNice Rhodes, executive director of TUPF received a call a few weeks ago from a local Ronald McDonald house. They expressed a need to be transitioned digitally for several residents’ rooms. Since this group home does not qualify to receive the $40 coupons subsidy to offset the cost of the boxes they contact Ms. Rhodes organization for help. DeeNice contacted the local Wal-Mart#2258 in Alexandria VA who were willing to donate several digital converter boxes and antennas for her cause to not allow residents to be left in the dark come June 12, 2009. This weekend the Urban Progressive Foundation will deliver and then install the boxes in each on the 16 living quarters.
Of the 35 million Americans that have one or more TVs with either rabbit ears or roof top antennas, a disproportionate number will be the underserved communities (i.e. elderly, minorities, disable, and rural). Based on DTV reports and the demographics of DC, it is clear that the largest impact the DTV transition will have are on the most vulnerable Americans.
The Urban Progressive Foundation (www.DTVoutreach.org) or www.thedigitaldynamo.com) is a grassroots organization passionate about assisting the underserved communities before their sets go dark.
Following are highlights from various reports regarding DTV’s impact on the nation.
The Urban Progressive Foundation
Currently, we are on a mission to assist the underserved communities (i.e. elderly, minorities, disable and rural) to become connected during the Transition to Digital Television national switchover. This organization has done workshops, educational trainings, and hands-on events, as well as helping to connect their digital converter boxes. Through "The Urban Progressive Foundation" these grassroots efforts are helping to train, educate and assist our communities to Transition to Digital Television before the June 12, 2009. The Urban Progressive Foundation is a project of Congressional District Programs, a 501(c) 3 public charity. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
need to register for free federal $40.00 DTV converter box couponshad a $40.00 coupon that expiredneed to redeem coupons have questions or need assistance with converter box installationwant an on-site demonstration or technical assistance
Hello Digitally Disenfranchised - This letter forwarded to me today, is worth reading - as it pertains to what has been occurring with the Transition to Digital Television switch process, and how it is impacting Americans nationally.
This is an excerpt from an email sent tome by Barry E. Goodstadt, Ph.D.
Lest you think that the partial DTV transition passed by uneventfully last week, think again. The press, by and large, took a rather tame view of the transition that occurred last week for some 400+ stations. The main headlines had to do with the fact that call volumes were relatively low and that the FCC call center easily handled the problem. While this may be true, there is a back story about reception problems that has not yet been told. It goes as follows:
1. Of course, the call volume was low, but the stations that undertook the early transition were typically independent stations with very small audiences. These are stations that few over-the-air consumers even watch. Thus, if they don't watch them, they don't know that they have reception problems when the vast bulk of network affiliates make the transition in June, reception problems will be even more apparent than they are now (and they are apparent now as will be described below---see also the FCC data that is attached.).
2. The call center data (see FCC Call Center Overview) reported by the FCC do not adequately cover the aftermath of the partial transition. There were over 100,000 calls between Feb. 13 and the early afternoon of Feb. 18 (see FCC News release). Thus, if the transition for the additional stations took place at 12:01 AM on Feb. 18, the call center data reported stopped well before viewers came home from work on Feb 18 and before prime time programming. The FCC has still not released any data after Feb. 18th in the afternoon.
3. Furthermore, the FCC only offers data from its own call center and thus does not purport to reflect calls to individual TV stations, cable companies or others.
4. Some bloggers and consumers question whether the transition should have been delayed--have no fear there are some significant reception issues out there that are not yet fully visible. The delay was indeed a good idea.
5. The press release from Chairman Copps suggests that the initial phase of DTV transition is encouraging, but also suggests that large challenges remain. With this heading, the press has been lulled into thinking that the event was more like a Y2K non-event rather than anything serious.
Why should these "encouraging signs" be questioned? If one examines the call center data carefully, one finds that at least one half of consumers had reception problems and these increased dramatically between 2/13 and 2/18. If one seeks to identify the presence of reception problems, the data have been disaggregated in the report across a couple of sections. Such disaggregation yields a faulty picture of the incidence of reception problems. Thus, Commissioner Copps only cites the figure of 32% reception problems in his release, but as shown below, the problem is much greater. For example, one could potentially include in reception problems--
1) Their converter box did not work, 2) Consumer who had reception or technical problems and 3) Consumers complaining about not receiving specific channels. Data from the FCC call center report are shown below. The converter box not working is included because the incidence of problems grew from 3.5% to 6.3% suggesting that problems got worse when the switchover occurred. In addition, such numbers are well above any known device failure rate.
What does this mean? 13-Feb 14-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 18-Feb 3.50% 4.70% 5% 4.10% 5.80% 6.30% Converter box did not work 15.20% 20.40% 17.50% 16.10% 26% 32.50% Consumers who had reception/technical problems 6.40% 6.80% 6.10% 7.10% 11.10% 16.80% Problem receiving specific channel 25.10% 31.90% 28.60% 27.30% 42.90% 55.60% Total
Reception continues to be something to worry about since the overall reception problem rate among callers is quite high. One can attribute this problem to the increased rate of station switchover on Feb. 17. That is, the rate of reception problems more than doubled between the days preceding the transition and the post-transition period.
A final note--the FCC has not yet released any call center data beyond Feb. 18 in the early afternoon. I don't know if they will.
Barry E. Goodstadt, Ph.D. Office: 410-884-9365www.receptiongap.comYour Thoughts?
Finally after debate and back and forth the DTV Delay Bill was passed in the House today, Feb. 4, 2009. We can only take a small breath because now the real hard work begins in going door to door to assist those who would otherwise be left in the dark.
The Washington Times wrote an Article regarding the Digital Dynamo's Effort with the Underserved Americans in Need as they train, assist and install their boxes.
Digital Dynamo Educates Masses with the DTV Transition
Don't Be left in the Dark - Get Hooked Up!
DeeNice, the Digital Dynamo in the relentless pursuit in taming the DTV Transition Tiger
The US Senate today, Monday, January 26, 2009 unanimously voted that a postponement was in order regarding the poorly executed DTV switch originally scheduled for February 17, 2009.
The New Date for the analog to digital switch will be June 12, 2009 (a four month extension). Much as been stated regarding the push for a delay with 17 million Americans scrambling to be ready.
"Delaying the upcoming DTV switch is the right thing to do," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., author of the bill to push back the deadline. "I firmly believe that our nation is not yet ready to make this transition at this time."
Read Article:
IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION!
PushTheDateBack.com- Letter to Congress
PushTheDateBack.net - sign petition
With over 21 million Americans who use rabbit ears or roof top antennas, most risk having their TVs go dark on February 17th, 2009. The DTV program has been underfunded and improperly managed causing millions of vulnerable American to be left without a voice in the matter.The Urban Progressive Foundation (TUPF) has launch a national campaign to petition Congress to "Push the February 17th, 2009 Analog Shut-off Date Back" 6 to 12 months (www.pushthedateback.org).A disproportionate number of these citizens are elderly, minorities, disable and rural residents. Our 501(c) 3 nonprofit is charged to be another voice for the voice-less. The PushtheDateBack.org campaign has a petition which we ask you sign stating you agree we need to change the DTV switch date. It is the only humane way to correct this critical and time sensitive issue.
How We Got Involved
On December 15th, 2008 TUPF's executive director, DeeNice Rhodes sponsored a Press Conference Panel/Forum at the National Press Club, Topic: Crisis Management for Underserved Communities, Impacted by the DTV Transition. The Panelist included the NTIA, FCC, NAB, HITN and the LCCR as well as outreach organizations in the audience.
How to get involved?
Contact your your government officials: www.pushthedateback.com
Sign the petition go to: www.pushthedateback.net
Don't Leave Americans in the dark, once more. Let's Take Action and Make Change Happen.
DeeNice, the Digital Dynamo
In the Relentless Pursuit in Taming the DTV Transition Tiger.
Please remember to not wait until Feb. 17, 2009 to Transition your Analog TV sets.
If you have not order your $40 off coupon please do it today. Go to www.thedigitaldynamo.com, click the red coupon icon and sign up.
In October 2008 there were 2000 request per day for the $40 off coupon cards. In December, the requests averaged out to 206,000 a day! Yes, this is not a typo! Coupon requests grew from 2000 a day to now 206, 000 a day.
How you can Help
If you know of a senior, disable, rural or person whose first language is not English – please help them by going on line and signing them up for the $40 coupon now.
Help the underserved get served!
Get Hooked Up!
Thanks all and Happy New Year!
Nielsen's report (December 19, 2008) stated that November - December 2008, the penetration of Completely Unready households for the DTV transition was 6.8% of households.
1. There are 114.5 million households in American that own television sets
2. 6.8% (7.8 million) of these households currently, are totally unprepared for the analog to digital switch3. 10% (11.4 million) of U.S. Households are Partially Unready (having cable and analog tv)
This means that a total of 19.2 million households have some fancy footwork to do before Feb. 17, 2009 in order not be left in the dark with their analog television sets.
Granted, there has been strong media outreach supported by the NAB, NTIA and FCC to alert and make people aware that the switch is coming. And they have done a remarkable job with 90% of Americans being made aware.
The problem is that making people aware and having them make a buying decision during the worst financial condition our country has seen since the "depression" is a different matter all together. Not to mention a technological application to boot.
I can just see grandma running down to her local retail store and hooking up a digital converter box. The following is what will be in store for her:
1. Locate her $40 government issued coupons and check to see that they have not expired.
2. Locate digital converter boxes in the store and ask if the model available has a pass-through feature so low band width channels can still be viewed on her TV.
3. Purchase a digital converter (DC) box. (There still may be time to register to receive the $40 off coupon from www.dtv2009.gov.)
4. Back at home, make sure she has an antenna that can be connected to the digital converter (DC) box. (If not, this could mean a return trip to the store for an adapter or a new antenna.)
5. Check for an available outlet plug near her TV set. If not, she will need a multi plug adapter, extension chord, or power strip.
6. Find the original remote control for her analog TV.
7. Connect the digital converter (DC) box properly, inserting batteries in the DC remote control, and plugging in the DC box.
8. Turn on the TV. Set the TV to channel 3 with the original TV remote.
9. Turn on the DC using the correct remote. WARNING: Remember don't mix up the remotes.
10. On the DC remote, press the setup or menu button and scroll to menu.
11. Scroll to and Scan the channels. Channel scanning will need to be repeated when additional DTV channels become available.
12. Hope and Pray that most of the channels come in. Many times they won't. Repositioning the TV antenna higher or closer to an outside wall or window may improve reception. (Try scanning again.)
13. Oops, did you hook your rabbit ears/roof top antenna to the digital converter box in the proper port in the back of the digital converter box, and the extra cable in the box to the TV-out port correctly? Then Nana, you are almost there.
14. Now, remember your original remote for the analog TV set is only used to turn the set on and off. Make sure not to change the channel off of "3".
15. Finally make sure you use the new remote only for channel surfing and volume, not for turning the TV on and off. Keep the DC box directions in a safe, memorable, and accessible place for when scanning for new channels needs to be done.
Got all that NANA? Now enjoy your new digital viewing experience. Pleeezzzz, someone get me some aspirin.
Can you see this being done in a month or so with 19.2 million folks, with a disproportionate number being the elderly, minorities, those whose first language is not English, rural and disabled?
WE WERE CAMPAIGNING TO HAVE THE FEB. 17TH DATE SET BACK. IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES, WE CANNOT HAVE 19 MILLION AMERICAN LEFT IN THE DARK. Especially, with the new administration UPDATE - As of Feburary 8, 2009 the House Approved the DTV Delay Bill to push back the dtv date for June 12, 2009. More time, education and activitism is needed!
