Technology and Disability Policy Highlights 10.8


 

Publication Date: November 2010

Publisher: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies

Author(s): Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies

Research Area: Science and technology

Keywords: Accessibility; Wireless; Communications; Technology

Type: Report

Abstract:

The month of October was notable for the ratification of the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, signed into law by President Obama on October 8, 2010. The new law addresses technology access to enable full participation and full opportunity for Americans with disabilities in this digital, information driven society. The law starts the clock on the implementation of a number of Congressional directives for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These mandates include, among other things, creating an advisory committee on video programming and emergency access and outlining requirements for video programming control and on screen menus/guides. The FCC has already begun work on the implementation of those mandates and is seeking public comments on many of the facets that encompass the process. As a result, there have been changes and additions to initiatives and leadership throughout various sectors involving wireless disability policy as agencies are adapting to the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
____________________________________________________________
Technology and Disability Policy Highlights reports on national and local public policy events and recent wireless technological advances and political activities; and tracks emerging issues of interest to individuals with disabilities. Technology and Disability Policy Highlights is published monthly by the Wireless RERC. The Wireless RERC is a research center promotes universal access to wireless technologies and explores their innovative applications in addressing the needs of people with disabilities. For more information on the Wireless RERC, please visit our web site at [http://www.wirelessrerc.org].

For further information on items summarized in this report, or if you have items of interest that you would like included in future editions, please contact this edition’s editors, Christina McMillian [christina@cacp.gatech.edu], Salimah LaForce [salimah.laforce@cacp.gatech.edu], or Nathan Moon, Ph.D., CACP, Research Scientist [nathan@cacp.gatech.edu].
____________________________________________________________
This is a publication of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education, grant # H133E060061. The opinions contained in this publication are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Education.