Accessibility for the Disabled

Sponsor: 

Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Date: 
Tue, 12/06/2022 - 13:00 to 14:00

Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will discuss issues with key staff from the Federal Communications Commission's Disability Rights Office including the Affordable Connectivity Program, and updates on Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). We will explain how to file a complaint, and learn more about FCC's Disability Advisory Committee. There will be time for Q/A. 



2022 Students and Technology Report: Rebalancing the Student Experience

The results of a spring 2022 survey of 820 US undergraduate students, across four key areas: Technology Challenges and Solutions, Modality Preferences, Access to Educational Technology, and Student Success. Key findings from the research report include:

FCC Proposes Improved Communications Access for Incarcerated People

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to bring relief to incarcerated people with communication disabilities by easing the obstacles they face in communicating with family, loved ones, and other sources of support.

FCC Improves Emergency Alert System Messages

The Federal Communications Commission updated its Emergency Alert System rules so that alerts delivered over television and radio are more informative and easier to understand by the public, particularly people with disabilities. The Emergency Alert System, which is used by government agencies to send alerts and warnings to the public over television and radio, is comprised of both a legacy system and an Internet-based system, with the latter offering superior messaging capabilities.

The Critical Role of Web Accessibility in Health Information Access, Understanding, and Use

Older adults and people with disabilities cannot equitably access the same health information and care as people without disabilities when hospital websites are not accessible. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) found the following key insights relating to digital accessibility and its importance to older Americans:

  • Hospitals and health care systems in the U.S. need continuing education on the role of web accessibility in American Disability Act (ADA) compliance given the significance of newly issued federal guidance.

For Blind Internet Users, the Fix Can Be Worse Than the Flaws

Patrick Perdue, a radio enthusiast who is blind, regularly shopped for equipment through the website of Ham Radio Outlet. The website’s code allowed him to easily move through the sections of each page with his keyboard, his screen reader speaking the text. That all changed when the store started using an automated accessibility tool, often called an accessibility overlay, that is created and sold by the company accessiBe. Suddenly, the site became too difficult for Perdue to navigate.

FCC Expands Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Contribution Base

The Federal Communications Commission modified the cost recovery rules for funding two forms of Internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS)—video relay service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay). The FCC expanded the Interstate TRS Fund contribution base for support of those services to include intrastate as well as interstate end-user revenues of TRS Fund contributors, ensuring fair treatment of intrastate and interstate communications services and users in the funding of relay services.

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 09/09/2021 - 13:30

Disability Advisory Committee members are expected to discuss (i) a working group report and recommendation on communications access for individuals with disabilities during the pandemic; (ii) a working group report and recommendation on emerging accessible communications opportunities; and (iii) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work. The meeting will be led by the DAC co-chairs: Brian Scarpelli, Senior Policy Counsel of ACT | The App Association, and Isidore Niyongabo, President and Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement of National Black Deaf Advocates.



Remarks of Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel at TDI Conference

I have a deep appreciation for TDI, not just because of your expertise, but because I have a long history of working with you on the issues you care about. Before I came to the Federal Communications Commission, I served as legal counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee. I’m particularly proud to say that one of the highlights of my tenure is that I worked on the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. This law is terrific, but I also know we can’t rest on our laurels. Because the events of the past year and a half have changed our relationship with technology.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for August Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the August Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 5, 2021:

To Bridge The Digital Divide, Biden Administration Launches Vaccine Hotline

To help overcome the digital divide, the Biden Administration has launched a new vaccination assistance hotline for people who would prefer to get information via telephone. It's part of the administration's push to get 70% of adults in the U.S. vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4. "We know that millions of people in America don't have consistent access to broadband or are uncomfortable navigating the web," wrote Dr. Marcella Nunez Smith, who chairs the Biden administration's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

FCC May Open Meeting Agenda

The next open meeting of the Federal Communications Commission will be May 20, 2021. Here's the proposed agenda:​

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 02/18/2021 - 19:30

The first meeting of the new Disability Advisory Committee term.

The meeting will be held remotely, with video and audio coverage at www.fcc.gov/live. DAC members will discuss (i) the roles and responsibilities of the Committee and its members; (ii) issues that the Committee will address; (iii) meeting schedules; and (iv) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work.



Appointment of Membership for Fourth Term of Disability Advisory Committee

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai appointed members for the fourth two-year term of the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC). There will be 34 members and 4 ex officio members, a diverse mix of organizations representing individuals with disabilities, the communications and video programming industries, the public safety industry, trade associations, researchers, and other stakeholders.

Bridging the digital divide for students with disabilities

The unexpected shift to the remote workplace and classroom brought on by COVID-19 has left many families across the country with inequitable access to devices and technology infrastructure, a problem known as the digital divide. For students with disabilities, the digital divide is not only an issue of access to broadband and technological devices, but also about ensuring that the technology is 

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for November 2020 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the November Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2020:

A New Look For Familiar Themes

At our November open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission will be considering the following items:

2020 Biennial Report To Congress As Required By The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

The Report assesses industry compliance over the past two years with sections 255, 716, and 718 of the Communications Act of 1934. These sections require telecommunications and advanced communications services and equipment, and Internet browsers built into mobile phones (collectively, covered products and services) to be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The Report also addresses accessibility barriers to new communications technologies, and the effect of the accessibility-related recordkeeping and enforcement requirements under section 717 on the development and d

FCC Announces Winners of Chairman's Accessibility Awards

The Federal Communications Commission announced the 2020 winners of the Chairman's Awards for Advancements in Accessibility (Chairman’s AAA). This FCC program, which began in 2011, is focused on improving access to telecommunications and technology for people with disabilities. The award winners for 2020 are:

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for October 2020 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the October Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2020:

FCC To Hold Open Commission Meeting Sept 30, 2020

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Wednesday, Sept 30, 2020:

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 10/08/2020 - 19:00 to 21:00

The Federal Communications Commission will recognize the 10th anniversary of the CVAA and its importance in building a more accessible telecommunications world for people with disabilities. 



Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Wed, 10/14/2020 - 18:30

Disability Advisory Committee members will discuss (i) a working group report and recommendation on enhanced Electronic Newsroom Technique (ENT) and other technologies for captioning live television programming; (ii) a working group report and recommendation on best practices for creating audio description; and (iii) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work. The meeting will be led by the DAC co-chairs: Brian Scarpelli, Senior Policy Counsel of ACT | The App Association, and Isidore Niyongabo, President and Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement of National Black Deaf Advocates.



FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for Sept 2020 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the Sept Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 30, 2020: