Federal / Regulatory

In August, the FCC issued a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise the rules for Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service ( IP CTS); addressing improper practices.  The new rules prohibit IP CTS providers from providing financial incentives or awards to entice customers to register for the service, while...

In July the Student Success Act [H.R. 5] was approved by the House of Representatives. The bill, which would reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, works to reduce “the federal role in education” through State level academic and teacher assessments in addition to providing State-level grants to promote education for specific populations, such as students with limited English proficiency or students in rural areas. The Assistance...

A new bill, Strengthening America’s Schools Act of 2013 [S.1094], was introduced in June by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to revise the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 of which No Child Left Behind(NCLB) was the last rewrite.  By allowing States the flexibility to...

In May, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order [FCC 13-64] regarding the roll out of text-to-911, specifically requiring wireless carriers as well as providers of text messaging services to provide a “bounce-back” message to consumers when text-to-911 is not available.  The bounce-back rules become effective June 28, 2013, and are invoked under the authority of  the Twenty-first...

In April the final report on NIDRR’s long-range plan for 2013-2017 was released and included continued support of research development focused on employment, community participation, and the health and function of individuals with disabilities. In addition, funding opportunities were announced and a new Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) was proposed by NIDRR. The two funding opportunities are for research on...

In March the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC ) released a report entitled EAAC Working Group 3 Recommendations on Current 9-1-1 and Next-Generation 9-1-1: Media Communication Line Services Used to Ensure Effective Communication with Callers with Disabilities. The document discusses EAAC recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC...

In February the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) extended the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) for a fourth two-year term. Nominations for membership are being sought for those individuals that can contribute to the Council’s responsibilities of providing the Commission with expertise and...

In January the Federal Communications Commission (FCC ) focused on the development and implementation of 911 Emergency Services with the fourth annual report submitted to Congress entitled: On State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges. The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission also...

In December the President Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation announcing December 3, 2012 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He noted that there was progress still to be made in “affirming universal human rights” but claimed the U.S as a global leader on disability rights, as the U.S will “redouble our efforts to build new paths to participation, empowerment, and progress around the world.”  The very next day, however, the U.N. Convention...

In November the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice (PN) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), seeking public input on accessibility topics. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau asks for comments on the effectiveness of FCC rules regarding hearing aid compatibility (...