To allow Americans with disabilities to experience the benefits of broadband, hardware, software, services and digital content must be accessible and assistive technologies must be affordable.
Accessibility for the Disabled
For Blind Internet Users, the Fix Can Be Worse Than the Flaws
Patrick Perdue, a radio enthusiast who is blind, regularly shopped for equipment through the website of Ham Radio Outlet. The website’s code allowed him to easily move through the sections of each page with his keyboard, his screen reader speaking the text. That all changed when the store started using an automated accessibility tool, often called an accessibility overlay, that is created and sold by the company accessiBe. Suddenly, the site became too difficult for Perdue to navigate.
FCC Expands Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Contribution Base
The Federal Communications Commission modified the cost recovery rules for funding two forms of Internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS)—video relay service (VRS) and Internet Protocol Relay Service (IP Relay). The FCC expanded the Interstate TRS Fund contribution base for support of those services to include intrastate as well as interstate end-user revenues of TRS Fund contributors, ensuring fair treatment of intrastate and interstate communications services and users in the funding of relay services.
Disability Advisory Committee members are expected to discuss (i) a working group report and recommendation on communications access for individuals with disabilities during the pandemic; (ii) a working group report and recommendation on emerging accessible communications opportunities; and (iii) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work. The meeting will be led by the DAC co-chairs: Brian Scarpelli, Senior Policy Counsel of ACT | The App Association, and Isidore Niyongabo, President and Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement of National Black Deaf Advocates.
Remarks of Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel at TDI Conference
I have a deep appreciation for TDI, not just because of your expertise, but because I have a long history of working with you on the issues you care about. Before I came to the Federal Communications Commission, I served as legal counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee. I’m particularly proud to say that one of the highlights of my tenure is that I worked on the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. This law is terrific, but I also know we can’t rest on our laurels. Because the events of the past year and a half have changed our relationship with technology.
FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for August Open Meeting
Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the items below are tentatively on the agenda for the August Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 5, 2021:
To Bridge The Digital Divide, Biden Administration Launches Vaccine Hotline
To help overcome the digital divide, the Biden Administration has launched a new vaccination assistance hotline for people who would prefer to get information via telephone. It's part of the administration's push to get 70% of adults in the U.S. vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4. "We know that millions of people in America don't have consistent access to broadband or are uncomfortable navigating the web," wrote Dr. Marcella Nunez Smith, who chairs the Biden administration's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.
FCC May Open Meeting Agenda
The next open meeting of the Federal Communications Commission will be May 20, 2021. Here's the proposed agenda:
The first meeting of the new Disability Advisory Committee term.
The meeting will be held remotely, with video and audio coverage at www.fcc.gov/live. DAC members will discuss (i) the roles and responsibilities of the Committee and its members; (ii) issues that the Committee will address; (iii) meeting schedules; and (iv) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work.
Appointment of Membership for Fourth Term of Disability Advisory Committee
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai appointed members for the fourth two-year term of the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC). There will be 34 members and 4 ex officio members, a diverse mix of organizations representing individuals with disabilities, the communications and video programming industries, the public safety industry, trade associations, researchers, and other stakeholders.
Bridging the digital divide for students with disabilities
The unexpected shift to the remote workplace and classroom brought on by COVID-19 has left many families across the country with inequitable access to devices and technology infrastructure, a problem known as the digital divide. For students with disabilities, the digital divide is not only an issue of access to broadband and technological devices, but also about ensuring that the technology is