Members and Friends,

 

On the behalf of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services, we extend our warm welcome to all of you to the TEDPA Conference 2010 in Durham, known as the City of Medicine, where you will experience some of the finest Southern hospitality. 

 

We see some exciting but challenging opportunities ahead of us. We currently face the seemingly limitless possibilities in the world of technology, including the rapid ever-changing emerging technology which opens up the brave new world of digital telecommunications technology. The analog technology as we know now is gradually becoming obsolete. Ensuring that we continue to maintain the functional equivalency of the latest telecommunications technology continues to be a challenge. The talk of the possibility of phasing out landlines in the future forces us to consider other options in telecommunications accessibility to meet the needs of our consumers. This calls for healthy discussion and camaraderie among our colleagues.

 

During your stay, you will experience some of the early colors of the Fall foliage in October. The beautiful Durham Marriott Convention Center is within walking distance to various restaurants and shops. There is a complimentary shuttle bus to transport you to any place within the five mile radius of the hotel. Be sure to take the time to enjoy some of the restaurants, some with nationally acclaimed chefs. Please take the time to click on the various sights to see and events to attend in Durham.

 

The Triangle area (Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill) is the home of various prominent universities, including Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. It is also home to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park which includes some of the biggest and most cutting-edge technology companies in the world. In fact, the Triangle has the world’s highest concentration of individuals with doctorates. 

 

For fun and sightseeing beyond Durham…the beaches, the wineries in various counties and the Blue Ridge Mountains are about two to three hours away.

 

Come and enjoy your stay!

 

Cordially yours,
 

Jan Withers	Tom Galey	Tom Kuszaj	Linda Nelson
Director	Program Manager	EDS Coordinator	Telecommunications Consultant