[NFB-NM] NFB Applauds Introduction of AV START Act: Legislation Will Promote Access to Automated Vehicles for the Blind

[Tonia Trapp]

From: NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Danielsen, Chris via NFBNet-Members-List
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2017 4:42 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds
Introduction of AV START Act

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 


National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AV START Act


Legislation Will Promote Access to Automated Vehicles for the Blind

 
Baltimore, Maryland (September 29, 2017): Today the National Federation of
the Blind commends Senator John Thune, Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation, Senator Gary Peters, Senator Roy
Blunt, and Senator Debbie Stabenow for introducing the American Vision for
Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV
START) Act (S. 1885). This bill will promote equal access to automated
vehicles for the blind and others with disabilities through the prohibition
of discriminatory licensing practices and the promotion of accessible user
interfaces. 
 
"The advent of automated vehicle technology presents tremendous potential
benefits for the blind and other Americans with disabilities," said Mark A.
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "From more
reliable transportation to greater access to employment, automated vehicles
will be a valuable tool improving the opportunity of blind people to live
the lives we want. But none of these benefits will materialize if the
principles of equal access and opportunity are not front and center. The
National Federation of the Blind therefore calls for automated vehicle
technology to be accessible to everyone through nonvisual user interface
options and nondiscriminatory public policy, and applauds Chairman Thune and
Senator Peters for introducing a bill that takes positive steps in that
direction."
 
The AV START Act specifically prohibits states from issuing licenses in a
manner that discriminates on the basis of disability. The legislation also
creates a disability access working group, tasked with promulgating best
practices and recommendations on the accessibility of user interfaces and
vehicle design more broadly. The bill specifically denotes "accessibility"
as a component of reporting requirements for vehicle manufacturers. 
 

###

 
About the National Federation of the Blind 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
 
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org
 

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