Comment Date: September 13, 2010

Reply Comment Date: September 30, 2010

Back in May, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau held a workshop on “Expanding Disability Access with Wireless Technologies” (Wireless Access Workshop) to learn more about mobile communications issues facing people with disabilities and the ways in which new technologies can offer opportunities to meet the communications access needs of this community. Participants included stakeholders from the disability community, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations. And in June, the conversation continued, but this time to discuss telecommunications and Internet barriers experienced specifically by individuals who are blind and deaf-blind. In particular, wireless phone options were included in the concerns.

As a result, the FCC is seeking more information and asking for input on the following:

1. The wireless phone features and functions in the current marketplace that are not accessible for people who are blind, have vision loss, or are deaf-blind and the extent to which gaps in accessibility are preventing wireless communication access by these populations;

2. The cost and feasibility of technical solutions to achieve wireless accessibility for these populations;

3. Reasons why there are not a greater number of wireless phones – particularly among less expensive or moderately-priced handset models – that are accessible to people who are blind or have vision loss;

4. Technical obstacles, if any, to making wireless technologies compatible with Braille displays, as well as the cost and feasibility of technical solutions to achieve other forms of compatibility with wireless products and services for people who are deaf-blind;

5. Recommendations on the most effective and efficient technical and policy solutions for addressing the needs of consumers with vision disabilities, including those who are deaf-blind. And,

6. Recommendations on actions that our bureaus or the FCC should take to address the current lack of access. For example, is additional guidance needed on specific access features that should be included in wireless products? Should we facilitate a dialogue among stakeholders in order to reach a specific agreement to address the accessibility concerns outlined above?

Comments may be filed using:

(1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)- http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/,

(2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal – http://www.regulations.gov, or

(3) by filing paper copies. This requires the original and four copies. U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Lyle, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-1776; TTY (202) 418-1169 or email at Elizabeth.Lyle@fcc.gov.

Note from Day – I have to admit, I think it is interesting that the prior notice allowed submission of comments via other formats such as braille, video etc and this one doesn’t.

THE CONSUMER & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON THE COMMISSION’S POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

CG Docket No. 03-123

Comments Due: September 20, 2010

The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) is reviewing the FCC’s policies and practices under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

Section 504 requires federal agencies to make their programs and activities accessible to people with disabilities. Their Public Notice is seeking public comments (i.e. YOUR input) on the accessibility of the FCC’s programs and activities.

The FCC has to review it’s policies and practices becase of advances in technology and achievability, and then update its Section 504 Handbook, every three years. The Section 504 Handbook contains accessibility procedures and guidelines for releasing documents, holding meetings, receiving comments, and other aspects of FCC programs and activities.

What they’re particularly interested in is the overall accessibility of the FCC’s activities and programs. This can include the availability of sign language interpreters, physically accessible buildings and meeting spaces, Braille documents, assistive listening devices, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), captioning, or any other accommodation issues.

How do you comment?

1. Make sure that any comments, issues or recommendations you send reference CG Docket No. 03-123.

2. Comments may be filed using:

(1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) which you can get to from their website – http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/,

(2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal – http://www.regulations.gov, or

(3) by filing paper copies. If you use paper, you have to file an original and four copies, and send them to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.

Just as a quick note, one of the things I found really neat was that they will accept comments in audio, Braille, electronic, and/or video formats (although those require a statement from the individual stating their identity).

Obviously, this is my summary of the information. To read the notice for yourself (which, as always, I strongly encourage you to do) or to request it in an accessible format, send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). It can also be downloaded in Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section_504.html.

For further information, please contact Pam Gregory, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division, at (202) 418-2498 (voice), (202) 418-1169 (TTY), or e-mail at Pam.Gregory@fcc.gov.