August 1, 2003 (Vol 3, Issue 10)

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. ITTATC Webcast - Procurement of Accessible IT at a Federal Level: Multiple Federal Agency Perspectives
2. Certificate Course in Creating Accessible Web Sites
3. Inspiration for Increasing Disability Access on Your Campus Conference
4. IDEAS 2003: Breakthroughs in Access
5. NASCIO 2003 Annual Conference
6. Accessibility Forum Meeting

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC Acts to Promote Accessibility of Digital Wireless Phones to Individuals with Hearing Disabilities
2. TRS and Speech-to-Speech Services for Indicivudals with HEaring and Speech Disabilities
3. Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities
4. Notice of Certification of State TRS Programs

ARTICLES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Administration set to Survey Section 508 Compliance
2. GSA Drafting Regulations to Integrate Security into IT Purchases
3. NCD Position Paper on the ADA
4. Aetna Awards $100,000 to National Organization on Disability (N.O.D)
5. UPS Suit by Employees who are Deaf
6. Second Annual Accessible America Award Winner
7. TSA Persons with Disabilities Program

RESOURCES

1. Accessibility Forum Quick Reference Guides for Section 508
2. Technology Assessment of the U.S. Assistive Technology Industry by Department of Commerce
3. Disney Offers Handheld Captioning
4. AT For People with Literacy Needs
5. GPS for the Blind
6. Mind-Controlled Wheelchairs

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. ITTATC WEBCAST
PROCUREMENT OF ACCESSIBLE IT AT A FEDERAL LEVEL: MULTIPLE FEDERAL AGENCY PERSPECTIVES
August 13, 2003
2:00 - 4:00 PM EST

On August 13, 2003, the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC) will offer a Web Cast on IT Accessibility strategies, targeting state and local government entities.

The Web Cast, Procurement of Accessible IT at a Federal Level: Multiple Federal Agency Perspectives, will provide information on federal approaches to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Processes, policies, and tools that have been implemented to effectively and efficiently improve federal agency accessibility procurement and training programs will be highlighted. This Web Cast will also provide vendors with an additional opportunity to understand federal agency technical requirements in regards to Section 508.

Panelists will include 508 coordinators from the US Department of Education (DOE), the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These federal agencies will discuss and contrast their processes, policies, and tools for procurement - including some hard-learned lessons and practices. Special panelist Terry Weaver, Director of 508 activities for the General Services Administration (GSA) will add value to these agency experts by discussing government-wide accessibility resources and emerging challenges. The panel will be moderated by Deborah Buck, Director of State IT Programs for ITTATC, and Michael Morris, Chair of the ITTATC State IT Initiatives Workgroup.

For more information and to register, visit the ITTATC website at: http://www.ittatc.org/.

2. CERTIFICATE COURSE ON MAKING ACCESSIBLE WEB SITES
Wesley Center for New Media
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
September 17-19

The Wesley Center for New Media at GA Tech is offering a three-day course on making websites accessible to earn the certificate. Or each day may be taken individually. The course includes one-day for each of the following topics: web policy and practice, basic techniques, and advance techniques.

For more information and to register, visit the Wesley Center at:
http://www.newmedia.gatech.edu/programs/accessible.htm

3. INSPIRATION FOR INCREASING DISABILITY ACCESS ON YOUR CAMPUS CONFERENCE
Knoxville Convention Center
Knoxville, TN
September 19, 2003

The University of Georgia, under a grant from the Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (SEDBTAC), is hosting the second "Inspiration for Increasing Disability Access on Your Campus" conference for disability services providers in higher education. The conference will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, and will be co-hosted by the University of Tennessee.

The conference will cover Internet accessibility issues in higher education, ADA requirements, and methods to create change in electronic accessibility in higher education.

For more information and to register, please call the University of Georgia at 706-542-8719 (voice) / 8778 (TTY), or send an email to Martha Wisbey at mwisbey@uga.edu.

4. IDEAS 2003: BREATHROUGHS IN ACCESS
New Washington Convention Center
November 4-6, 2003

Under President Bush's E-Government initiative, the Federal government will continue to expand the use of the Internet and computer resources in order to deliver Government services. Since information technology is involved in virtually every Federal service, program and workplace, this year's IDEAS Conference will offer attendees the resources, training, and technical tools for understanding the "how-to" of accessible electronic and information technology.

ITTATC will be one of the presenters at IDEAS 2003.

For more conference information and to register, access: http://www.section508.gov/ideas/.

5. NASCIO 2003 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Camelback Marriott
Scottsdale, AZ

September 7-10, 2003

Attend the annual meeting of NASCIO, which represents state Chief Information Officers and Information Resource Executives and Managers from the 50 states, six U. S. territories, and the District of Columbia. This year's conference will include presentation topics such as: Homeland Security; State IT Budgets; Trends and New Approaches in Technology Funding; and IT Purchasing.

For more conference information and to register, access: https://www.nascio.org/events/2003AnnualConference/.

ACCESSIBILITY FORUM MEETING
Reston, VA
September 15-17, 2003

According to the Accessibility Forum website, further details (including the program agenda and information about local area hotels) will be posted to the site and registration will begin August, 2003.

Please access the website for more information: http://www.accessibilityforum.org/.

 

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC ACTS TO PROMOTE ACCESSIBILITY OF DIGITAL WIRELESS PHONES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES

On July 10th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced in a Press Release that they had adopted a Report and Order requiring wireless manufacturers and service providers to make digital wireless phones accessible to the more than 6 million individuals with hearing disabilities that use hearing aids. The full text of the Order will be published in the Federal Register.

Specifically, the FCC modified the exemption for wireless phones under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) to require that digital wireless phones be capable of being effectively used with hearing aids. The FCC found that modifying the exemption will extend the benefits of wireless telecommunications to individuals with hearing disabilities, thereby increasing the value of the wireless network for all Americans.

To read the full FCC News Release, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-236430A1.doc.

2. TRS AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES

On May 1, 2003, the National Exchange Carrier Association, Inc. (NECA), the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator, filed its annual Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund Payment Formula and Fund Size Estimate for the period of July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004. As subsequently amended, NECA proposes TRS provider compensation rates of $1.368 per-minute for interstate traditional TRS and interstate and intrastate Internet Protocol (IP) Relay, $2.445 per-minute for interstate Speech-to-Speech Service (STS), and $14.023 per-minute for Video Relay Service (VRS). Based on these figures, NECA also proposes a carrier contribution factor of 0.00169 and a total fund size requirement of $130,686,169.

This FCC Order approves, on an interim basis, the proposed TRS provider compensation rates for traditional TRS and IP Relay, as well as for STS. This FCC Order modifies, however, the proposed TRS compensation rate for VRS by establishing an interim cost recovery rate of $7.751 per-minute. As a result, this FCC Order also modifies the proposed carrier contribution factor and the proposed fund size, which shall be 0.00149 and $115,455,570, respectively. The interim compensation rates adopted in this FCC Order are subject to revision pending further analysis of the relevant underlying data, including the TRS providers' cost data.

To read the full FCC Order, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2111A1.doc.

3. REMINDER TO VIDEO PROGRAMMING DISTRIBUTORS OF OBLIGATION TO MAKE EMERGENCY INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH HEARING OR VISION DISABILITIES

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a public notice on July 18th to remind video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and vision disabilities. This rule regarding access to emergency information for persons with hearing disabilities became effective on August 29, 2000. The same information must also be provided in a manner that is accessible to persons who are blind or have low vision. This rule regarding access to emergency information for persons with vision disabilities became effective February 2, 2001.

This rule and related Fact Sheets summarizing the closed captioning and video description and access to emergency information are available at the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau's website, http://www.fcc.gov/cgb and http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/emergencyvideo.html. You can also access the News Release at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2361A1.doc.

4. NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION OF STATE TRS PROGRAMS

The FCC gave Notice that the applications have been granted for certification of the state Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) programs in the following states: Georgia, Kansas, New Jersey, South Carolina, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

This certification shall remain in effect for a five year period, beginning July 26, 2003, and ending July 25, 2008. One year prior to the expiration of this certification, July 25, 2007, the states may apply for renewal of their TRS program certification by filing documentation in accordance with the Commission's rules

To read the full Public Notice, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2332A1.doc. For further information regarding this Public Notice, contact Erica Myers, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office (202) 418-2429 (voice), (202) 418-0464 (TTY), or e-mail erica.myers@fcc.gov.

 

ARTICLES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. ADMINISTRATION SET TO SURVEY SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE

According to a July 22nd article in Government Computer News (www.gcn.com), the Section 508 Working Group is preparing to survey all executive branch agencies about their information technology (IT) accessibility to the 54 million Americans with disabilities. The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is in charge of the survey, but the General Services Administration will administer it. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, amended in 1998, requires a survey every two years.

To read the full Government Computer News article, access: http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/22847-1.html.

2. GSA DRAFTING REGULATIONS TO INTEGRATE SECURITY INTO IT PURCHASES

According to a July 24th article in Government Computer News (www.gcn.com), the General Services Administration (GSA) is drafting a Federal Acquisition Regulation addition to integrate security into IT buys.

Joan Hash, director of security management assistance in the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division, made the announcement today during a discussion of government cybersecurity requirements at the GOVSEC security conference in Washington.

In addition to GSA's work on a new acquisition regulation, NIST is developing government wide categories for sensitive but unclassified information, plus a set of minimum security requirements to protect each category.

Among other things, the draft FAR addition will require contracting officers to work with agency CIOs to ensure that security requirements are built into purchases.

To read the full Government Computer News article, access: http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/22894-1.html. To view a draft version of FIPS 199, access the NIST website at: http://csrc.nist.gov/.

3. NCD POSITION PAPER ON THE ADA

"When the Americans with Disabilities Act Goes Online: Application of the ADA to the Internet and World Wide Web"

This position paper, developed by the National Council on Disability (NCD), analyzes and answers the critical question: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) apply to commercial and other private sector websites, and if so, what does it require.

The paper begins with a brief discussion of the role electronic communication has come to play in our lives, the paper then goes on to the placement of the ADA in the context of current technology and of computer usage in our country. It includes an analysis of the legal background to the ADA and Internet access issue. The paper concludes that the law does clearly contemplate the coverage of the Internet by Title III of the ADA.

To read the full article, access: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/adainternet.html.

4. AETNA AWARDS $100,000 TO NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY (N.O.D)

AetnaGroup Insurance and the Aetna Foundation awarded grants totaling $100,000 to the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.), to support two major N.O.D. initiatives: the Start on Success (S.O.S.) internship program and the National Partnership Program, which initiates alliances with associations whose primary focus is not disability but who share N.O.D.'s interest in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in and contribute to American life. For more information, access: http://www.nod.org.

5. UPS SUIT BY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DEAF

A July 22nd article in Mercury News (www.mercurynews.com) reports that the United Parcel Service (UPS) will pay $5.8 million and make changes in the workplace to accommodate employees who are deaf to settle a class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed in 1999 by Disability Rights Advocates, a non-profit organization based in Oakland, on behalf of five UPS workers who are deaf. The lawsuit was amended in 2001 to include more than 1,000 employees who are deaf. The suit charged that UPS denied these employees equal rights in the workplace by failing to provide sign language interpreters, necessary communication aids, emergency alerts, text telephones and promotion opportunities.

UPS also will pay $4.1 million for attorney fees, costs and expenses. Each of the five named plaintiffs will receive $60,000, and the others in the class-action suit will receive a monetary amount based on such factors as their length of employment and the level of discrimination suffered.

To read the full article from Mercury News, access: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/6356444.htm

6. SECOND ANNUAL ACCESSIBLE AMERICA AWARD WINNER

The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) presented the 2002 Accessible America Award to the city of Irvine, California. The contest is sponsored by a grant from UPS, and the winning city receives a cash award of $25,000. Irvine uses its master plan to promote full access to schools, parks, religious institutions, recreational facilities and events for all residents, workers and visitors. The City's Community Partners Emergency Response Team invites disability community involvement in brainstorming concerns and in preparing for emergencies. The Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board, chartered in 1990, responds to disability issues related to transportation, community awareness, employment, housing, accessibility and social/recreational facilities. Irvine's Access Reporting Policy forwards citizen complaints regarding community accessibility to the appropriate City department for swift investigation and resolution, culminating in a plan of action within two weeks. The city plans to apply the cash award towards initiatives that serve their citizens with disabilities through the meals-on-wheels program, apartment locator assistance, a local hiring initiative for private business and by distribution of a newsletter.

For information about entering next year's Accessible America competition, contact Ms. Starnes by e-mail at starnes@nod.org or by phone at (202) 293-5960. The deadline is October 31, 2003. For more information, access: http://www.nod.org/section.cfm?id=81.

7. TSA PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a new program for training screeners. The program was developed by Sandra Cammaro, the first manager of the TSA Screening of Persons with Disabilities Program. She focused the program on passengers whose disabilities fall into four categories -- mobility, visual, hearing, and hidden.

For more information and to learn about the travel tips for persons with disabilities, visit their website at www.tsatraveltips.us, and click on "Special Considerations" then click

8. EUROPEAN YEAR OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

2003 is the European Year of People with Disabilities. The European Year is organized by the European Commission in collaboration with the European Disability Forum (EDF). The EDF is a European umbrella organization representing more than 37 million disabled people in Europe. At the national level, the European year will be run by National Coordinating Bodies (NCBs). Corporate sponsors are Accor, Adecco, HP, IBM, Manpower, Microsoft, Schindler, Sony Europe, UITP, & Volkswagen. Visit: http://www.eypd2003.org/eypd/index.jsp for more information.

 

RESOURCES

1. ACCESSIBILITY FORUM QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES TO SECTION 508 RESOURCE DOCUMENTS

As part of its technical activities, in January of 2003, the Accessibility Forum published a set of Resource Documents, which included basic background material on technologies and accessibility embodied in the Section 508 Standard. The information in these documents was reviewed with the Access Board staff and members of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy's Section 508 Working Group. Members of the Working Group expressed strong interest in making the documents more usable, and these Guides represent an initial attempt to accomplish this request. It is GSA's intention to issue updated versions from time to time to incorporate comments or other changes as necessary.

These Quick Reference Guides are intended to assist government officials in making informed decisions about Section 508 related procurement. To link to these guides in both "Word" and "RTF" formats, access: http://accessibilityforum.org/paper_tool.html.

2. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF THE U.S. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY BY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
February 2003

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security produced this assessment for the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC). The study was undertaken as a result of a February 1998 request from Katherine D. Seelman, Ph.D., then the director of NIDRR at the U.S. Department of Education and C. Dan Brand, then Chairman of the FLC.

Relatively little detailed economic data exists on the assistive technology industry in the United States, an activity that cuts across dozens of manufacturing sectors. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), with the assistance of other agencies, designed a survey to better assess the scope and overall health of the U.S. AT industry; to identify challenges and obstacles confronting AT manufacturers; and to determine what opportunities exist for strengthening the domestic industry.

BIS developed a survey and mailing list of domestic businesses engaged in the design, test, research, development, manufacture and distribution of AT products. The purpose of the data collection effort was to gather sufficient information to begin to: (1) comprehend the composition of the industry; (2) gauge its strength and competitiveness in world markets; and (3) understand the technology needs of individual firms and identify federal institutions (defense and non-defense) and organizations that could assist U.S. companies.

To view the full report, access: http://67.98.119.215/atreportweb/.

3. DISNEY OFFERS HANDHELD CAPTIONING

Walt Disney World Resorts use wireless technology to develop a synchronized handheld captioning system to help communicate the story and message of some of its amusement rides. The portable system is similar to a personal digital assistant (PDA). In locations throughout the parks, mostly the narrative moving attractions, the wireless handheld receiver displays the text narration corresponding to that location. Handheld Captioning is currently available at twenty Walt Disney World attractions.

The Handheld Captioning system joins several existing services for guests with hearing disabilities including Reflective Captioning, American Sign Language interpreters, Assistive Listening systems, Video Captioning, pay telephones equipped with TTYs, and printed attraction aids. The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities offers an overview of the services and facilities available at each park. You can also access the guide, along with other information for guests with disabilities at: http://disney.go.com/vacations/websites/disabilities/index.html. This site establishes links to specific information related to the services and resources available at the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort for Guests with disabilities.

Information for this piece was taken from the National Center on Accessibility. To read the full article on Disney's Handheld Captioning, and to see a photo of the technology, access: http://www.ncaonline.org/making-the-grade/disney.shtml.

4. AT FOR PEOPLE WITH LITERACY NEEDS

New advances in assistive technology (AT) for the workplace have opened up reading and writing on computers in ways the benefit everyone. One AT program, Read&Write Gold, by Texthelp Systems (www.texthelp.com), is a fully comprehensive application toolbar, which floats on top of any open application. It provides literacy support synonymous within textHELP! products in almost any windows application.

For more information and to learn about other textHELP! products, access: http://www.texthelp.com/readwrite6.asp?section=product. You may also contact Gary Morrison, Sales & Marketing Executive: Texthelp Systems, at 888-333-9907, or g.morrison@texthelp.com.

5. GPS FOR THE BLIND

A June 14th article in Wired News (www.wired.com/news/) highlights technology that is currently being tested by the European Space Agency and other organizations. This technology, a handheld device called Tormes, represents a personal GPS-based navigation system for people who are blind. Weighing about two-pounds, the device comes with a Braille keyboard and a voice synthesizer that lets it provide verbal directions.

According to the article, the device, which is likely to debut in 2004, is not intended to replace traditional tools that people who are blind use to get around, but it can help them navigate new or unfamiliar areas. To read the full Wired News article, access: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,59174,00.html.

6. MIND_CONTROLLED WHEELCHAIRS

A July 24th article in New Scientist (www.newscientest.com) highlights new technology for individuals with severe disabilities, such as people who are quadriplegic, who cannot operate a motorized wheelchair. These individuals may soon benefit from technology that allows the individual to steer a wheelchair using only their thoughts.

J osé Millán at the Dale Molle Institute for Perceptual Artificial Intelligence in Martigny, Switzerland, along with researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and the Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research in Barcelona, Spain have come up with a system that can reliably recognize different mental states, and may be the first mind-controlled system able to operate something as complicated as a wheelchair.

At the moment the system controls a simple wheeled robot. The user dons the electrode-lined skullcap, which monitors electrical activity on the surface of the head. A web of wires sends the information to a computer. Millán's software then analyses the brain's activity and, using a wireless link, passes on any commands it spots to the robot.

Millán's skullcap-centered system is a significant step forward. Five years ago, surgeons in Atlanta, Georgia, grabbed the headlines by implanting electrodes in the brain that allowed patients to communicate by controlling a cursor on a computer screen (New Scientist print edition, 17 October 1998, p 5).

To read the full New Scientist article, access: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993967.