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
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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.
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!
