[nfb-talk] 21st century communications and video accessibilityact passes sent to President for signature

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

As I recall NFB supported it at least the House version H.R. 3101. I don't 
think that NFB agreedd with all of it but on the whole it was supported.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] 21st century communications and video 
accessibilityact passes sent to President for signature


> The question I would like to know is this.  What is the official NFB 
> possition on this legislation?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> A Very Proud and Happy Mac User!!!
>
> E-Mail:
> rforetjr at comcast dot net
> Skype Name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 29, 2010, at 5:40 PM, <ckrugman at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> September 29, 2010: Markey Landmark Internet Access Legislation for Blind, 
> Deaf Headed to President
>
> Congressman Releases New Web Video on the 21st Century Communications & 
> Video Accessibility Act
>
> WASHINGTON,D.C. (September 29, 2010) - The House and Senate have passed 
> the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act authored by 
> Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). This landmark legislation will 
> make it easier for the blind and deaf to have access to the Internet, 
> smart phones, television programming and other communications and video 
> technologies.
>
> "Whether it's a Braille reader or a broadband connection, access to 
> technology is not a political issue- it's a participation issue," said 
> Rep. Ed Markey. "Two decades ago, Americans with disabilities couldn't get 
> around if buildings weren't wheelchair accessible; today it's about being 
> Web accessible."
>
> Rep.Markey also released a new VIDEO today on the 21st Century 
> Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
>
> Last night, the House gave final passage, by voice vote, to Markey's 
> measure which was championed in the Senate by Mark Pryor (D-AR). The bill 
> is now headed to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law, 
> delivering one of the most significant victories for the disability 
> community since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed 20 years 
> ago.
>
> "The ADA mandated physical ramps into buildings. Today, individuals with 
> disabilities need online ramps to the Internet so they can get to the Web 
> from wherever they happen to be," said Markey. "Passage of this bill is a 
> landmark achievement in the fight forequal access to technology for all 
> Americans. From the time of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan - through the 
> Americans with Disabilities Act -to closed captioning for television 
> programming and the ability of individuals who are deaf to make telephone 
> calls - and now to the comprehensive communications and video 
> accessibility bill that has passed both the House and Senate, we've made 
> great strides."
>
> Markey's 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (H.R. 
> 3101) significantly increases accessibility for Americans with 
> disabilities tothe indispensable telecommunications and video technology 
> tools of the 21st century by:
>
> -? Making access to the Web through improved user interfaces for smart 
> phones
>
> -? Enabling Americans who are blind to enjoy TV more fully through audible 
> descriptions of the on-screen action
>
> -? Making TV program guides and selection menus accessible to people with 
> vision loss
>
> -? Providing Americans who are deaf the ability to watch new TV programs 
> online with the captions included
>
> - ?Mandating that remote controls have a button or similar mechanism to 
> easily access the closed captioning on broadcast and pay TV
>
> -? Requiring that telecom equipment used to make calls over the Internet 
> is compatible with hearing aids
>
> -?For low-income Americans who are both deaf and blind, providing a 
> shareof a total $10 million per year to purchase accessible Internet 
> access and telecom services so these individuals can more fully 
> participate in society.
>
>
> ###
>
>
>
> http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=4100&Itemid=125
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