April 1, 2002

In This Issue:

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

1. Accessibility Forum News
2. Access Board News
3. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Reorganizes
4. FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, February 15, 2002
5. FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, March 15, 2002
6. Section 255 Complaint Filed

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

1. Procurement Legislation Introduced

INDUSTRY NEWS

1. Update on Office XP and Screen Magnification
2. Gateway will Donate up to 4,500 Computers
3. Understanding Accessibility
4. Intel Science Talent Search Produces New Sign Language Technology

LOOKING AHEAD

1. Flexible, Accessible Interfaces that are More Usable by Everyone (April 22, 2002)
2. Designing for Usability, Flexibility & Accessibility (July 22-25, 2002)

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

1. ACCESSIBILITY FORUM NEWS

Guidelines for making commercial information technology (IT) more compatible with assistive technology (AT) will soon be published by the Accessibility Forum's Assistive Technology and Electronic & Information Technology Interoperability working group. According to Randy Marsden, Vice president of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ITAA), these guidelines will help IT companies make products that will be more compatible with AT products being shipped today, but a more long-term solution is needed for future products.

The guidelines will be posted at
http://www.accessibilityforum.org.

2. ACCESS BOARD NEWS

The U.S. Access Board has upgraded its telephone system, and Has New Telephone Numbers. The Access Board's toll and fax numbers have changed, but its toll-free numbers remain the same:

Voice: (202) 272-0080 or (800) 872-2253
TTY: (202) 272-0082 or (800) 993-2822
Fax: (202) 272-0081

An automatic rollover will be in effect for several months. The new system allows the caller to select "technical assistance" (3) and, then, to select "technical assistance on telecommunications products or electronic and information technology" (2).

3. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) REORGANIZES

As part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) organizational reform, effective March 25, the former Consumer Information Bureau will become the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), with increased policymaking and intergovernmental affairs responsibility. The latter function will encompass intra-agency coordination and building relationships with other federal agencies and tribal, state and local governments. It will engage consumers, states, other governmental organizations and the industry in an ongoing discussion. The bureau will have a new Policy Division that will be responsible for consumer-related rulemakings and orders. The division will also have a section dedicated to analyzing consumer complaint and industry trends. An expanded Disabilities Rights Office (DRO) will initiate and implement policy, monitor the effects of telecom policy on the disability community and make recommendations based on its findings.

4. FCC NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING FEBRUARY 15, 2002

On February 15, 2002 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, (CC Docket Nos. 02-33, 95-20, 98-10, FCC 02-42) requesting comments on broadband Internet access services provided over traditional telephone lines. The FCC tentatively concluded that wireline broadband Internet access services -- are information services, with a telecommunications component, rather than telecommunications services. The Notice seeks comment on the implications for disability access. Comments are due April 15, 2002. Reply Comments are due May 14, 2002.

A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available at:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-42A1.txt.

5. FCC NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING MARCH 15, 2002

On March 15, 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a declaratory ruling that cable modem service is an information service with no telecommunications component. The Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (GN Docket 00-185, CS Docket 02-52, FCC 02-77) to address the appropriate regulatory framework for cable modem service under the information service classification. It asks for comment on the interaction of this decision and the wireline broadband proposal.

The notice has not been published in the Federal Register, but, a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available at:
http://hraunfosswww.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-77A1.txt.

6. SECTION 255 COMPLAINT FILED

On March 12th, the American Council of the Blind filed a Section 255 complaint with the Federal Communications Commission on behalf of a number of its members. Most of the complaints relate to cell phones, and cover a range of product features and services such as inaccessible menus, inaccessible keys, inability for blind people to know whether their phone is on or off, or whether it is set to ring or vibrate. The complaint also mentions inaccessible caller ID functions and an inability to determine how many minutes have been used. The complaint mentions several product manufacturers. There has been no response from the FCC as of the publication of this newsletter.

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS

1. PROCUREMENT LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

On March 4th, Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) introduced H.R. 3832, the Services Acquisition Reform Act. The bill is intended to reduce barriers that confront government when contracting for services. There are two provisions that could possibly impact Section 508 implementation. First, this bill would establish an acquisition workforce training fund to finance acquisition training across civilian agencies (excluding the Department of Defense). Presumably, those funds could be used to conduct Section 508 training. Second, the bill also increases the micropurchase threshold from $2500 to $25,000. Currently, the Federal Acquisition Regulations exempt micropurchases from Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act until January 2003.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

1. UPDATE ON OFFICE XP AND SCREEN MAGNIFICATION

GDI+ is a new Microsoft technology that provides more powerful graphical capabilities to Windows developers. Some accessibility issues surrounding GDI+ surfaced that were limited to customers of screen magnification products who were using Office XP. Together with the manufacturers of screen magnification products, Microsoft developed a solution, which they will be making available to their customers. Microsoft suggests that customers contact their assistive technology manufacturer directly to find out if an update is needed.

2. GATEWAY WILL DONATE UP TO 4,500 COMPUTERS

Gateway is donating up to 4,500 computers that were used in the winter Olympic Games to non-profit organizations. Grant consideration is limited to eligible organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit entity, with priority given to schools and community centers whose programs help enhance access to technology for traditionally underserved communities.

Organizations interested in being considered must complete an online application at:
http://www.gateway.com/olympics/donations.shtml.

3. UNDERSTANDING ACCESSIBILITY

HiSoftware has recently published a book "Understanding Accessibility" (ISBN - 1-930616-03-1). This book is a guide to creating and testing Web sites that are developed to the U.S. federal standards for accessible Web content, and the World Wide Web, or W3C, accessibility guidelines. It provides a reference on accessibility remediation. The book also provides information that will assist organizations in integrating accessibility into their existing quality assurance and content management practices. HiSoftware Publishing is currently in the process of developing the second edition of the book, which will address WCAG 1.0 guidelines Priority 1, 2, and 3 as well as Canadian, European and world wide accessibility guidelines.

For a limited time, HiSoftware will make the first edition eBook available, to recipients of this ITTATC newsletter, at no cost. To download a copy of the HiSoftware eBook, go to:
http://www.hisoftware.com/msacc/regbook.htm.

4. INTEL SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH PRODUCES NEW SIGN LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY

The first prizewinner this year of a Science Talent Search, sponsored by Intel, was Ryan Patterson, 18, of Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado. Patterson won first place and the $100,000 scholarship for his project, "The American Sign Language Translator," a glove that converts American Sign Language to written text on a portable display. Patterson's project is his latest invention in a lifelong interest in scientific research, especially in electricity and electronics. "A mountain biker and a water sports enthusiast, Patterson will continue developing electronic devices that help improve people's lives."

To access the press release, go to:
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20020311corp_a.htm

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LOOKING AHEAD

1. "FLEXIBLE, ACCESSIBLE INTERFACES THAT ARE MORE USABLE BY EVERYONE" (April 22, 2002)

A one-day tutorial, entitled "Flexible, Accessible Interfaces that are More Usable by Everyone," is being presented at the CHI 2002 conference in Minneapolis on April 22. This tutorial will present information from the four-day industry training course, and is intended for those who need more information about how to design their product interfaces so that they are accessible for people with disabilities. This tutorial is part of the ITTATC training program.

For more information access:
http://www.acm.org/sigchi/chi2002/tut-mon.html#23.

2. "DESIGNING FOR USABILITY, FLEXIBILITY & ACCESSIBILITY" (July 22-25, 2002)

The four-day industry training course, "Designing for Usability, Flexibility & Accessibility," is now open for registration. This is a unique course, taught by experts in the field of universal design of information technology and telecommunication products. It is intended for those who need to go beyond awareness of disability issues or government regulation, and who must have expertise in how to create commercially practical and profitable products that are more usable by everyone. The course is offered once a year, and the dates this year are July 22 - 25, 2002. This course is part of the ITTATC training program.

For more information access:
http://trace.wisc.edu/dufa/.