Policy and Outreach Initiatives (DS1)

In May, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continued efforts to implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). The FCC released and Order [10-210] extending the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) until June 30, 2017. NDBEDP, established by the CVAA in 2010 and implemented by the FCC in 2012, is currently a pilot program that provides up to $10 million annually to support...

In June, The Federal Communications Commission announced the six winners and three honorable mentions of their Fifth Annual Awards for Advancement in Accessibility, also known as, the Chairman’s AAA. The awards are meant to recognize and honor innovative achievements in communications technology benefiting people with disabilities. This year, the awards were presented at the M-Enabling Summit at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Among the winners were...

July 2016 marked the 26^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). While progress has been made in inclusive and equitable access to social and civic life, encumbrances still remain.  In a Presidential Proclamation, President Barack Obama addressed the musts, or imperatives of access and inclusion:...

In September the White House hosted the Designing for All Showcase, a celebration that recognized the work and expertise of companies, designers, and engineers making strides in inclusive design, assistive technology, and prosthetics. At the event, many new technologies were announced, as well as government programs facilitating the inclusion of people with disabilities to engage in all aspects of society including school, employment, and recreation. 

The Federal...

We created “SUNspot” to share some of the latest findings from ongoing data collection for our Survey of User Needs (SUN), our cornerstone survey on use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities.  We launched the first version of the SUN in 2001. The latest version (Version 5) was conducted in the second half of 2015 and first half of 2016.

Introduction

This SUNspot addresses the following question related to use of...

We created “SUNspot” to share some of the latest findings from ongoing data collection for our Survey of User Needs (SUN), our cornerstone survey on use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities.  We launched the first version of the SUN in 2001. The latest version (Version 5) was conducted in the second half of 2015 and first half of 2016.

Introduction

This SUNspot addresses the following question related to use of...

We created “SUNspot” to share some of the latest findings from ongoing data collection for our Survey of User Needs (SUN), our cornerstone survey on use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities.  We launched the first version of the SUN in 2001. The latest version (Version 5) was conducted in the second half of 2015 and first half of 2016.

Introduction

This SUNspot addresses the following question related to wireless...

This spring, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved the needle forward on several large communications issues that impact access by people with disabilities.  In April, the FCC Order concerning the Lifeline and Linkup programs [WC Docket No.11-42] took a variety of actions to create an affordable Lifeline broadband program.  The Order discusses the minimum service standards for Lifeline Services, asserting that functional Internet access is...

In November, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took several actions to improve communications access for people with disabilities. Regarding emergency communications, in efforts to implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), they announced that beginning November 30, 2015, video programming distributors must provide emergency information television text crawls to people with vision loss by sounding an aural tone...

In October, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules for wireline, wireless and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telecommunications equipment. Among other things, the proposed amendments address concerns and request stakeholder input on developing an industry standard for wireline handsets and their volume controls, and extending volume control standards to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) equipment and wireless handsets. ...