August 1, 2004 (Vol 4, Issue 10)

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. 2004 GSA/FTS Network Services Conference, "Tune Into Technology," Nashville, TN, August 16-19, 2004

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. TRS and Speech-to-Speech Services Report and Order
2. Obligation to Designate Agent for FCC Complaints
3. FCC Public Notice Summarizes Status of TRS Calls from Payphones

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. Public Comment Period-Standards & Guidelines of Service: Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
2. The Access Board Has Issued the New ADAAG and ABA Accessibility Guidelines
3. Reauthorization of Assistive Technology Act
4. Report Finds FERC Has Mishandled Its Technology

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. "Wide Range of Abilities and Its Impact on Technology" (Phase I)
2. "Accessible Technology in Computing-Examining Awareness, Use, and Future Potential" (Phase II)
3. Study Finds Mixed Results of Federal Web Site Accessibility
4. eSchool News Special Report: Accessible Technologies
5. Recent Congressional Action Suggests Lawmakers View E-Government as Lower Priority

RESOURCES

1. Internet Text Messaging from MCI and AOL Online
2. "Equity of Access" from the American Library Association (ALA)
3. Access Board to Hold Weekly Workshops on 508
4. "ADA Game" Promotes Understanding the Law and Improving Accessibility
5. Accessible IT Technical Bulletin

PAST EVENTS

1. ITTATC Audio Conference on Speaking Out About Inaccessible Technology in Commemoration of the 14th Anniversary of the ADA

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. 2004 GSA/FTS NETWORK SERVICES CONFERENCE, "TUNE INTO TECHNOLOGY"
Nashville, TN, August 16-19, 2004

The General Services Administration Federal Technology Service (GSA/FTS) is sponsoring the "Tune Into Technology" conference at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. This three-day conference will focus on information security, managed network services and new technology offerings. CEU credits may be earned at most track and training sessions.

ITTATC will be co-sponsoring a session, "Information Technology Accessibility" with the U.S. Access Board and the General Services Administration Federal Technology Service, during the conference.

Don't miss this opportunity to network with FTS Account Managers, and Industry partners. For more information on this largest of Federal Community Technology Event, access: http://www.askusa.com/nsc/Homepage.htm.


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FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. TRS AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES REPORT AND ORDER

FCC Public Order DA 04-1999 (June 30, 2004).

This Order approves the National Exchange Carrier Association's proposed provider compensation rates for TRS and IP Relay, Speech-to-Speech, and Video Relay Service over the July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 funding year.

Read the complete public order:

Word Version:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1999A1.doc
PDF Version:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-1978A1.pdf

 

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD-STANDARDS & GUIDELINES OF SERVICE: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NETWORK OF LIBRARIES FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

The public comment period for the revised guidelines of the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is open till September 1, 2004.

View the revised standards & guidelines:

Word Version:
http://www.ala.org/ala/ascla/asclaissues/revStandards_and_Guidelines.doc
PDF Version:
http://www.ala.org/ala/ascla/asclaissues/revStandards_and_Guidelines_blind_h andicapped.pdf

Comments can be sent directly to Courtney Deines-Jones, Project Director: cdeinesj@grimalkingroup.com

• Authorizes additional financial resources
• Ensures accessible technology is available in schools and the community
• Requires "device demonstration, equipment loan, device reutilization/recycling and financing systems such as low interest loan programs"
• Aligns the AT Act with the IDEA, WIA, and the ADA Olmstead mandate
• Allows funding to institutions of higher learning "for research and development of new assistive technology devices and for the adaptation, maintenance, servicing and improvement of existing assistive technology devices."

 

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. "WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES AND ITS IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY" (PHASE I)

This report, commissioned by Microsoft Corp., finds:

• An ever increasing need for accessible technology, in part due to longer life expectancy, "to allow individuals to customize their computers to help overcome physical and cognitive difficulties and impairments."
• Benefits are "likely or very likely" to arise from accessible technology for 60% (101.4 million) of working age adults and 57% (74.2 million) of computer users.

2. "ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY IN COMPUTING-EXAMINING AWARENESS, USE, AND FUTURE POTENTIAL" (PHASE II)

This follow-up report, commissioned by Microsoft Corp., presents specific findings regarding computer usage by individuals with disabilities and varying impairments, demands for accessible technology, awareness of accessible technology, and other factors that influence the rate of use.

Findings, in part, include:

• 57% of persons who use computer are likely to benefit from accessible technology due to their experiencing a mild or severe difficulty/impairment
• "Among individuals with mild or severe difficulties/impairments, 74% use computers compared with 84% of individuals without difficulties/impairments who use computers"
• 69% of computer users with mild or severe difficulties/impairments currently use a form of accessible technology, though many would benefit from additional accessibility options and assistive technologies
• 35% and 39% of computer users with mild vs. severe difficulties/impairments, respectively, report they "did not know if additional assistive technology products would enhance their computing experience"
• Computer confidence and experience are two primary factors that impact use of accessible technology
• "There is an opportunity for the IT industry to realize growth in the accessible technology market and improve computers by making accessible technology easier to find and use by all computer users. Specifically, presenting accessibility options and assistive technology products as part of a computer's functionality rather than as an aid for people with disabilities will reach more computer users and will increase the reach of accessible technology"

3. STUDY FINDS MIXED RESULTS OF FEDERAL WEB SITE ACCESSIBILITY

Jim Ellison, "Assessing the Accessibility of Fifty United States Government Web pages: Using Bobby to Check on Uncle Sam," First Monday (2004).

This study, evaluating 508 compliance and web accessibility among federal websites, concludes that the federal government, generally, is not meeting its own requirements. Twenty-two percent of reviewed home pages passed the ‘Bobby' accessibility checker for 508 compliance. Seventeen of the 39 home pages that did not pass Bobby, however, had only one error to correct.

Discrepant findings arise from a cross-check using ‘Cynthia Says,' which identified the same 11 (22%) sites plus an additional 10 as having met 508 requirements (42% compliance). These data, nonetheless, suggest that Web site accessibility "does not seem to have improved, and perhaps . . . has worsened" over the past four years.

Read the complete study:

http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue9_7/ellison/index.html

Visit the accessibility checkers:

Bobby http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp
Cynthia Says http://ltg-projects.ummu.umich.edu/~melledge/accessibilitysite/CynthiaSaysTo ol.html

 

RESOURCES

1. INTERNET TEXT MESSAGING FROM MCI AND AOL ONLINE

Amy Jordan, "MCI, AOL Unveil AIM Relay Services," TechNewsWorld, July 8, 2004.

MCI and AOL Online have agreed to provide hearing and speech impaired individuals with access to MCI's IP-Relay.com services for initiating and receiving text message calls via the Internet. Users will be able to access the service via "AOL, AIM and Apple iChat (versions 2.1 and up) . . . as well as on various wireless networks."

Read the complete story:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/online/35026.html

2. "EQUITY OF ACCESS" FROM THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (ALA)

This brochure explains that the principle, ‘Equity of Access,' is one of ALA 's five "key action areas" aimed at "providing the highest quality library and information services for all people"-a matter "imperative for education, employment, enjoyment and self-government." A detailed checklist is included for assessing a library's state of equitable access, specifically addressing issues of Planning/Budget, Marketing/Outreach, Facilities/Equipment, Staff Development, Services, and Advocacy.

Read the complete brochure:

HTML Version:
http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/governingdocs/keyactionareas/equityact ion/equitybrochure.htm
PDF Version:
http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/governingdocs/keyactionareas/equityact ion/EquityBrochure.pdf

• "Breaking Down Barriers: K-12 and Beyond" is a free informational CD "on how accessible electronic and information technology can break down barriers for students with disabilities and improve educational and employment outcomes."
  
  For more information,
  Call: 1-800-949-4232
  Email: northeastada@cornell.edu.



• "aDesigner" is IBM's new tool for evaluating the accessibility of web pages
  
  For more information, visit http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/adesigner



• "courseGenie" works with Microsoft Word to permit educators the ease of making their online trainings accessible.
  
  For more information, visit www.coursegenie.com http://www.coursegenie.com/

 

PAST EVENTS

1. ITTATC HOLDS AUDIO CONFERENCE ON SPEAKING OUT ABOUT INACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE ADA



On July 21, 2004, from 1-3 p.m. (EST), ITTATC hosted a nationwide gathering of technology consumers in commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

During this free audio conference call (with simultaneous webcast captioning), a panel of experts educated consumers on the federal laws that support the availability of accessible information and telecommunication technology.

Consumers were encouraged to take action during the hands-on portion of the event by working with the local host site facilitators and experts to generate letters of complaint, which will be forwarded to the appropriate organizations.

To see more information about this audio cast, as well as access past ITTATC audio casts and web casts, access: http://www.ittatc.org/.


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