[Promotion-technology] Windows Phone Accessibility Update

[Sam Joehl]

The CVAA actually directs the FCC to establish enforcement mechanisms that
extend beyond the complaint process and strengthens the enforcement
procedures of Section 255 of the Communications Act. This includes:

[image: *]  47 USC §618 <http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/618>

[image: *]  Enforcement and recordkeeping obligations

[image: *]  47 USC §619 <http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/619> -
Internet browsers built into telephones used with public mobile services



The FCC has already issued regulations for Advanced communications Services
which are contained in the Report and
Order<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-11-151A1.pdf>.
These require that users with disabilities be consulted during the design
and testing of devices that contain ACS functionality. Companies covered
under Sections 255, 716 and 718 of the Communications Act are now subject
to Recordkeeping compliance
Certification<https://apps.fcc.gov/rccci-registry>obligations. As part
of the CVAA, Section 718 must be put into effect by
October 7, 2013 which implies that the FCC regulations to implement Section
718 will be issued this year. This explains why Microsoft is scrambling to
get a screen reader into their Windows Phone product line by the end of the
year.



Sam Joehl

Director of Client Services

SSB BART Group

(703) 637-8956

Sam.joehl at ssbbartgroup.com

Accessibility-On-Demand

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-----Original Message-----
From: Promotion-technology [mailto:promotion-technology-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Curtis Chong
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2013 2:09 PM
To: 'Committee on the Promotion, Evaluation and Advancement of Technology'
Subject: Re: [Promotion-technology] Windows Phone Accessibility Update



Greetings:



One important thing to keep in mind with regard to laws is that while they
say you have to do this or that, the reality is that unless someone pushes
them, they are not always complied with.  Consider the ADA, which requires
automated teller machines to be accessible.  The ADA was passed in 1990,
and it has taken more than 20 years for universal ATM accessibility to be
achieved.  Even today, you can find examples of ATMs that are not
accessible to the blind.



Consider Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal
agencies to use technologies that are accessible to people with
disabilities.  While many good things have resulted from this law, the
reality for many blind federal employees is that they are still being
forced to work with technologies that are not accessible to them.



Yes, CVAA does require cell phones to be accessible unless a company can
show that they cannot be made accessible.  How this will translate into the
real world has yet to be determined.



Other than the Samsung Haven, try to find a basic cell phone that is 100%
accessible to the blind.  You can't.



Cordially,



Curtis Chong







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