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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Takes Steps to Ensure Wireless Phones Are Hearing Aid-Compatible
FCC has taken steps to make clear that the hearing aid compatibility rules cover customer equipment that contains a built-in speaker and is designed to be typically held to the ear. The FCC’s order also modifies an exception in the existing rule so that all large entities are required to offer at least one hearing aid-compatible model after a two-year initial period. FCC also adopted a Policy Statement that emphasizes to developers of new technologies the necessity of considering and planning for hearing aid compatibility at the earliest stages of the product design process. This link opens a PDF document.
Assistive Technology Industry Association's (ATIA) 2010 Conference: Showcasing Excellence in Assistive Technology
ATIA will hold a conference on October 27-30, 2010 in Schaumburg, IL. It will feature the latest products and services, showcasing more than 100 exhibitors. Educational programs include best practices, tips and tricks, product and research updates and case studies of assistive technologies from regional, national and international experts. Register online.
2010 Southwest Conference on Disability
This conference will take place October 6-8, 2010 in Albuquerque, NM. Topics will cover the future of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), how technology is improving the lives of people with disabilities, how to improve the lives of children with disabilities, as well as a special celebration of the 2010 Disability and The Arts Program. Register online or download the printable registration form.
Expanding Access with Wireless Technology
Written statements delivered by Judy Harkins, Ph.D., Gallaudet University, Technology Access Program, RERC on Telecommunications Access and Paul W. Schroeder Vice President, American Foundation for the Blind, at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Expanding Access with Wireless Technology Disability Access Workshop. This information can be downloaded in PDF or Text format.
13th Annual Accessing Higher Ground Conference
The University of Colorado at Boulder is hosting Accessing Higher Ground, an accessible media, Web and technology conference on November 15-19, 2010, in Westminster, CO. The event will focus on the use and benefits of assistive technology and accessible media in the university and college setting. Other topic areas will cover legal and policy issues, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and 508 compliance. Creating accessible media and information resources, such as Web pages and library resources will also be included. This conference is for individuals who need to design or provide accessible Web, media, information resources and technology in the academic environment. Register online.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Releases Working Paper on Accessibility & Technology Issues
The FCC has issued the agency's firstever working paper addressing accessibility and technology issues. The paper builds on recommendations in the National Broadband Plan, and looks at the many barriers to broadband usage faced by people with disabilities, including inaccessible hardware, software, services, and web content and expensive specialized assistive technologies. This link opens a PDF document. This information is also available in text format.
Discover How Built-in Accessibility Compares Between Windows 7 & Mac OS X Part 2: Mac OS X
Learn about the free, built-in assistive technology and accessibility features in Mac OS X during this Webcast from the USDA TARGET Center Discovery Series.
2010 Accessible Technology On-line Seminar Series
This series of webinars, hosted by the DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center, helps to increase understanding of technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Upcoming webinars include "The Power of Social Networking Sites for People with Disabilities" and "Best Practices in Developing and Disseminating Documents Electronically".
Access Board to Set Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment under Health Care Reform Law
The Access Board will be developing standards for medical diagnostic equipment under the health care reform law. The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act authorizes the Access Board to develop new access standards for medical diagnostic equipment including examination tables and chairs, weight scales, x-ray machines and other radiological equipment, and mammography equipment. People with disabilities have had problems accessing this kind of equipment, and this is an issue not addressed by existing accessibility standards or regulations, including those issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The standards will address independent access to, and use of, equipment by people with disabilities to the maximum extent possible
FCC Plan Details Actions for Connecting Consumers, Economy to Affordable High-Speed Internet
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan lays out a plan to connect the nation to high-speed Internet service over the next decade. Currently, only 42 percent of people with disabilities use broadband at home. Among the plan's goals is to bring affordable broadband to rural communities, schools, libraries and the poor, elderly, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Chapter 9 of the plan discusses the importance of affordable and accessible assistive technologies that will enable people with disabilities to benefit from high-speed Internet service.
Report on Informal Consumer Complaints on Access to Communications for People with Disabilities
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released information about informal consumer complaints received by the Disability Rights Office (DRO) during the second quarter of the calendar year 2009. DRO received the following number of informal complaints, by subject matter, that involved the Commission's disability access rules: 26 informal complaints raised Section 255 issues; 47 informal complaints raised TRS issues; 147 informal complaints raised closed captioning issues; 9 informal complaints raised accessibility of video programming providing emergency information issues; and 3 informal complaints raised hearing aid compatibility issues. Consumers can file complaints online using FCC Form 2000C.
USDA's TARGET Discovery Series
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) TARGET Discovery Series offers free informative and engaging online educational programs on a variety of topics including built-in assistive technology and accessibility features in popular operating systems; Section 508 compliant eLearning; supporting the employment of people with disabilities; and creating accessible PDFs. For information about other trainings visit the Discovery Series Archives.