OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 29, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) today announced it will serve as one of the lead sponsors of an awareness and fundraising campaign event led by Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin and Communications Services for the Deaf Inc. (CSD), to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families in gaining equal access to services.
The campaign kicks off Saturday, Oct. 1, at Mall of America in Minneapolis. CSD will host the event “Grow with CSD,” with a presentation from Matlin, a book signing, and a press conference to discuss issues related to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
CSD is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing broad-based services, ensuring public accessibility, and increasing public awareness of issues affecting deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Its mission is to provide greater opportunities for access, independence and awareness for the deaf or hard of hearing. “Grow with CSD” is an awareness and fundraising project to promote communication, education and social and economic opportunities.
“Sprint has been a long-standing leader in relay services for the deaf and hard of hearing as well as individuals with speech disabilities,” said Ben Soukup, CSD chief executive officer. “The company has demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility and to the ideal of full and unfettered access to services – like telecommunications – for all. We are honored to have Sprint as a platinum sponsor for this project.”
Mike Ellis, director-Relay Services for Sprint, said, “Our sponsorship of CSD is an extension of our efforts to assist and expand access for the deaf and hard of hearing. Our intent is to play a larger role in the communities beyond simply offering industry leading relay services and products.”
For its innovation and industry-leading customer service, Sprint Relay services were recently lauded with third-party awards and endorsements. The Paisley Group National Relay TTY Performance Index™ ranked Sprint Relay highest in customer care and speed of service. Sprint Relay also earned ABILITY Magazine’s Best Practices Award for its relay service and its “spirit of inclusion, both in the workplace and in the consumer marketplace.”
Sprint now provides relay service to 32 states and the federal government, in addition to New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Sprint also provides Captioned Telephone “CapTel” services to 31 states and the federal government.
For more information about CSD, go to www.c-s-d.org and www.c-s-d.org/grow/.
About Sprint Relay
Sprint is the largest and most technologically advanced TRS provider in the nation with more than 20 years of experience in providing relay services to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech disability to communicate with hearing persons on the phone. Sprint’s experience in this field ensures Sprint Relay users receive quality service regardless of the type of relay service they are using. Sprint’s relay service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no restrictions on the number of calls placed or the length of calls. For more information, visit www.sprintrelay.com.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
Contact(s):
Sprint
Mark Bonavia, 913-269-0436
Mark.bonavia@sprint.com
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