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Families reminded to order digital TV converter box coupons
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In less than 2 months, the government-mandated DTV Transition will require millions of Americans to take action in order to maintain access to free over-the-air television and important emergency announcements. While supplies last, the government is offering 2 free $40 coupons per household to help cover the cost of digital converter boxes that will keep viewers connected.
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund encourages families to ensure their loved ones are ready for the digital television transition. Families on fixed incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, communities of color and those who speak languages other than English are most likely to be affected by the transition.
“We are urging folks to check in with their loved ones to make sure they are ready for the DTV transition,” said Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. “People who don’t have cable, satellite service or a new TV need to order their DTV converter box coupons in the next couple weeks in order to get their converter boxes in time for the Feb. 17 transition.”
Henderson said that it takes about a month for coupons to arrive.
“This transition is about access to life-saving public service announcements,” he said. “It’s about letting the public know when a hurricane is about to strike, a snowstorm threatens a white out, that a fire is blazing toward it, or that there is a natural or national disaster.”
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For more information on how the DTV transition will impact vulnerable communities, visit www.civilrights.org/dtv. To order coupons or for more information on the DTV transition, go to www.dtv2009.gov.
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund encourages families to ensure their loved ones are ready for the digital television transition. Families on fixed incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, communities of color and those who speak languages other than English are most likely to be affected by the transition.
“We are urging folks to check in with their loved ones to make sure they are ready for the DTV transition,” said Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. “People who don’t have cable, satellite service or a new TV need to order their DTV converter box coupons in the next couple weeks in order to get their converter boxes in time for the Feb. 17 transition.”
Henderson said that it takes about a month for coupons to arrive.
“This transition is about access to life-saving public service announcements,” he said. “It’s about letting the public know when a hurricane is about to strike, a snowstorm threatens a white out, that a fire is blazing toward it, or that there is a natural or national disaster.”
More Online
For more information on how the DTV transition will impact vulnerable communities, visit www.civilrights.org/dtv. To order coupons or for more information on the DTV transition, go to www.dtv2009.gov.
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