[il-talk] Fw: Breaking News: Congress Passes 21st Century Accessibility Act

Wed Oct 6 22:12:02 UTC 2010

From: Abrahamson, Matt 
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:40 PM
To: Abrahamson, Matt ; Amy Meyers ; Annette Grove ; DCrutcher at bromenn.org ; greg.polman at chicagolighthouse.org ; janice.duvall at sbcglobal.net ; Kathleen Oertle ; Kristin Sensor ; Leanne Stavenger-Vos ; lgwatkin at hdadvocates.org ; Makandamary at aol.com ; Meadows, Cathy ; mfleenor at isbe.net ; myra.christian at frcd.org ; pcreager at peoriapros.com ; Preston, Timothy J. ; rgardner4 at gmail.com ; RLuna at accessliving.org ; Susan Walter ; tonyare2 at yahoo.com ; tupton at siu.edu ; Tyler & Beverly Young ; WBogdan at ILSOS.NET ; Wilkerson.Jim at mhsil.com ; william at silcofillinois.org 
Subject: FW: Breaking News: Congress Passes 21st Century Accessibility Act

FYI -

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From: greg polman [mailto:Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:25 PM
To: Abrahamson, Matt
Subject: FW: Breaking News: Congress Passes 21st Century Accessibility Act

Can you send this to the SRC membership.. 

From: Rhoda M HUNTER [mailto:rhoda.m.hunter at state.or.us] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 8:53 AM
To: ncsrc at mrccouncil.org
Subject: Fwd: Breaking News: Congress Passes 21st Century Accessibility Act

FYI .........................

This legislation breaks down barriers for folks with hearing loss of all levels (AND folks with vision impairments, including Deaf-Blindness) like we haven't seen since the inception of the 24/7 Relay Service!

Here are some of the highlights of what this legislation does:

Mandates that Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones will have to be hearing aid compatible, which makes it possible for hearing aid users to use VoIP phone services like Skype, Comcast, Vonage (and save money like non-hearing aid users have been doing for years).

Permits use of relay services to enable communication with anyone, not just between people with and without disabilities.  So, for example, a TTY user can use relay services to call a person who communicates in American Sign Language using a videophone.

Requires access to Internet services built-in to mobile telephone devices, like smart phones, if achievable.

Requires a clearinghouse of information on accessible products and services, and public education and outreach.

Requires captioned television programs to be captioned when delivered over the Internet.

Requires devices designed to record video programming (such as DVRs) to enable the rendering or pass through of closed captions, video description, and emergency information, so viewers can turn the closed captions and video description on/off when played back on a screen of any size.

Requires a CC (and Audio Description) BUTTON on the remote for TVs, DVD players, DVRs....so you can actually turn them on and off easily!

For more info, visit http://www.coataccess.org/node/9776

Rhoda Hunter
State Rehabilitation Council Coordinator
500 Summer St. NE, E87
Salem, OR  97301-1120
Phone:      (503) 945-6256
Toll Free:  (877) 277-0513
Fax:  (503) 945-8991
Email:  Rhoda.m.hunter at state.or.us

>>> "Hearing Loss Association of America" <respond at hearingloss.org> 9/30/2010 9:30 AM >>>

      If you are unable to view the message below, Click Here to view this message on our website

                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
                  September 30, 2010
                 CONTACT:
                  Brenda Battat
                  Executive Director
                  battat at hearingloss.org 

                  The United States Congress Passes
                  21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 
                  Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) applauds the Congress for passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010" by a voice vote September 28 at 9:28 pm. 

                  Among other provisions, the legislation requires telecom equipment used to make calls over the Internet to be compatible with hearing aids, provides for captioning on new TV programs online, and mandates that remote controls have a button or similar mechanism to easily access the closed captioning on broadcast and pay TV. 

                  "This legislation paves the way for a brighter future for anyone with a hearing loss who needs access to information on the Internet and to equipment," said Brenda Battat, executive director of HLAA. "As we all become more and more dependent on the Internet, this legislation will ensure people with hearing loss are included and able to enjoy its benefits." 

                  The bill is now headed to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law. According to the news release issued by Representative Edward Markey (MA), who authored and championed this legislation, the passage of this bill delivers "one of the most significant victories for the disability community since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed 20 years ago." 

                  The bill was championed by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT). COAT, established in 2007, is a coalition of over 300 national, regional, state, and community-based disability organizations. COAT advocates for legislative and regulatory safeguards that will ensure full access by people with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and other Internet Protocol (IP) technologies. HLAA and 37 of HLAA's affiliates from around the country joined COAT. 

                  According to media release issued by COAT: 

                  "This evening's passage of the bill culminates a legislative process that has involved four hearings, six different bills and extensive lobbying and advocacy by COAT leaders from our over 310 affiliate members. Advocates are thrilled that the legislative process is now over and we can look forward to the next stages of implementation. With over a dozen rulemakings expected from the FCC over the next several years, the requirements of the Act will take time to have full effect." 

                  The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) salutes the leaders of COAT who spent countless hours educating Congress and working with members of the many industries impacted by the bill to refine the language. HLAA and its chapter and state affiliates worked actively with COAT toward passage of this legislation. HLAA was privileged to be invited to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, in support of the legislation on June 10, 2010, where an HLAA representative spoke about the importance of access to the Internet for people with hearing loss. 

                  The primary goal of the legislation is to ensure that legislative and regulatory safeguards are in place so people with disabilities have access to evolving high speed broadband, wireless, and other internet-based technologies. A summary of what the legislation will do can be found at http://www.coataccess.org/node/9776. 

                  About the Hearing Loss Association of America
                  The Hearing Loss Association of America® (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, Walk4HearingT, and more. Information can be found at http://www.hearingloss.org/. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248. HLAA has chapters and state organizations across the country. 

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            © 2010 All rights reserved. The Hearing Loss Association of America®. 

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