February 1, 2005 (Vol. 5, Issue 4)

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. New Freedom Initiative Conference - Building Sustainable Systems for Independence
2. CSUN's 20th Annual International Conference "Technology and Persons with Disabilities"
3. RESNA's 28th International Conference of Technology and Disability
4. Instructional Technology & Education of the Deaf (International Symposium)
5. Telecommunications for the Deaf Conference

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. Love a Child, Inc. Denied Waiver of Captioning Requirements
2. TRS Providors May Not Use Incentive Programs to Reward Customers for Placing TRS Calls
3. Federal Communications Commission Clarifies that Video Relay Service (VRS) May Not Be Used as a Video Remote Interpreting Service

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. OMB Creates Single Policy Document for Web Requirements
2. FAR Micropurchase Exception Ends April 1, 2005

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. Washington Supreme Court Adopts Principles to Guide Technology in Courts
2. Information Technology & Disabilities
3. IRS Takes Bold Step, Mandates E-Filing of Corporate Returns

PAST EVENTS

1. ATIA 2005 Conference, Orland, Florida, January 19-22, 2005

RESOURCES

1. Search Engine Google Sets Sights on Video
2. AccessWorld: Technology and People with Visual Impairments
3. Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Engages Students with SMART Board Interactive Whiteboards

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE CONFERENCE - BUILDING SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS FOR INDEPENDENCE

Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2005, Baltimore, MD.

This year’s conference, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will highlight the successes and challenges faced by New Freedom Initiative (“Real Choice Systems Change” grantees and “Medicaid Infrastructure” grantees) projects during implementation.

To view the conference agenda and to complete a non-grantee Registration Application, visit: http://www.nashp.org/cmsconference2005/

2. CSUN'S 20TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "TECHNOLOGY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES"
March 14-19, 2005
Los Angeles, CA

This comprehensive, international conference will address the uses of technologies across all disabilities, employment, ages, levels of education and training, and independent living.

ITTATC, CATEA and GTRI staff will be presenting at CSUN. Among the presentations, Georgia Tech personnel will give the following:

• Introducing the Accessibility Consultant Chooser: An Online Tool (Deborah Bursa)
• Using the “508 Assistant” to Support Design and Procurement of Accessible Technology (Brad Fain, Deborah Bursa)
• Case Studies of Accessibility Approaches Among Electronic and Information Technology Manufacturers (Dennis Folds, Brad Fain)
• Where Do Accessible Products Come From and Why Does It Take So Long? (Timothy Creagan)
• Advocacy Strategies: Using The Law to Increase Accessibility of E&IT and Telecommunications (Timothy Creagan, co-presenter with Lainey Feingold, Esq.)
• Web-Based Continuing Education on Workplace Accommodations (Karen Milchus)
• Workplace Accommodations and ADA Title 1: Policy and the Metrics of “Reasonable” (Paul Baker, Lynzee Head)
• The User Experience: A Case Study of Web Site Accessibility and Usability (Elizabeth Bryant)

3. RESNA'S 28TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGY & DISABILITY
June 23-27, 2005
Atlanta, GA

The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is calling for participation for this conference. "RESNA will...offer a packed Exhibit Hall, Product Demonstrations and Training sessions, two days of Pre-Conference Instructional Courses, and 3 full days of Workshops, Interactive Poster Sessions, Themed Paper Sessions, and distinguished speakers."

For more information: http://www.resna.org

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. LOVE A CHILD, INC. DENIED WAIVER OF CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS

FCC, Memorandum Opinion and Order (CSR 6288) (DA No. 05-167), Jan. 25, 2005.

Love A Child, Inc.’s failure to disclose necessary financial information in their waiver request precludes a determination of whether the captioning requirements would impose an undue burden. "Our decision herein is without prejudice to Love A Child bringing a future petition for exemption that adequately documents that compliance with our rules will impose an undue burden."

WORD: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-167A1.doc
PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-167A1.pdf

2. TRS PROVIDERS MAY NOT USE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO REWARD CONSUMERS FOR PLACING TRS CALLS
Jan. 26, 2005

The FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau has found that programs to encourage or reward a consumer for placing a Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) call are inconsistent with the Communications Act and the TRS rules.

TRS, mandated by Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, enables a person with a hearing or speech disability to communicate by telephone with a person without such a disability. This is accomplished through TRS facilities that are staffed by specially trained communications assistants (CAs) who relay conversations between persons using various types of assistive communication devices and persons using a standard telephone.

Video Relay Service (VRS) is a form of TRS that allows persons with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate with the CA via sign language, rather than typed text.

The Bureau issued a declaratory ruling in response to a request by Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc., which asked that the FCC find that its “Brown Bag Rewards Program,” offered in connection with its provision of VRS, was in compliance with the rules. Hands On’s program permits consumers of its VRS service to earn points that can be redeemed by having Hands On pay their DSL or cable modem bill.

The Bureau found that any program that involves the use of any type of financial incentives to encourage or reward a consumer for placing a TRS call, including the Brown Bag Rewards Program, is inconsistent with the rules.

WORD: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256273A1.doc
PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256273A1.pdf

3. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CLARIFIES THAT CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES (TRS) MARKETING AND CALL HANDLING PRACTICES ARE IMPROPER AND REMINDS THAT VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS) MAY NOT BE USED AS A VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING SERVICE

CC Docket No. 98-67, CG Docket No. 03-123, Jan. 26, 2005.

“The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) has become aware that some TRS providers may be engaging in marketing practices that are inconsistent with the TRS statute and regulations. We have also become aware that some TRS providers may not be handling TRS calls in a manner that is consistent with our TRS statute and regulations, e.g., through the use of a reservations system. Finally, we are aware that Video Relay Service (VRS) – a form of TRS – is sometimes being used as a substitute for a live interpreter when a person who is deaf or hard of hearing seeks to communicate with a hearing person at the same location. Accordingly, we clarify below that certain TRS practices violate the TRS rules, and that VRS may not be used as a video remote interpreting service by persons at the same location. We will instruct the TRS fund administrator that, effective March 1, 2005, any provider found to be engaging in the improper marketing or call handling practices described below will be ineligible for compensation from the Interstate TRS Fund (Fund).”

WORD: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-141A1.doc
PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-141A1.pdf

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FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. OMB CREATES SINGLE POLICY DOCUMENT FOR WEB REQUIREMENTS
News, Dec. 21, 2004.
http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/31407-1.html

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memorandum to executive agencies requiring all federal websites to meet ten requirements. The requirements, in part, include that all public sites must have a search function and maintain accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Other items that may be important to people with disabilities include security requirements to avoid tampering with personal data and to protect private information.

Read the memorandum from the Office of Management & Budget, Executive Office of the President; Policies for Federal Agency Public Websites (Dec. 17, 2004) at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2005/m05-04.pdf.

2. FAR MICROPURCHASE EXCEPTION ENDS APRIL 1, 2005

Reminder: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) micropurchase exception (FAR 39.204(a)) to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1998, ends April 1, 2005. Section 508 requires that Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) acquired by the Federal government be accessible by individuals with disabilities. EIT includes, but is not limited to, printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, laptops, desktop computers, and telephones, etc.

After April 1, 2005, agency micropurchases of EIT must comply with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board's (Access Board’ s) EIT standards. The standards are codified at 36 CFR Part 1194 and also available through the Access Board’s web site at http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm.

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ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT ADOPTS PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE TECHNOLOGY IN COURTS

Nick Mudge, “Washington Supreme Court Adopts Principles to Guide Technology in Courts,” Government Technology News, Jan. 3, 2005. http://www.govtech.net/?pg=news/news&id=92617

The Washington Supreme Court has adopted the ‘Access to Justice Technology Principles.’ The Principles establish guidelines for use of technology that “apply to all courts of law, all clerks of court and court administrators, and to all other persons or parts of the Washington justice system under the rule-making authority of the Washington Supreme Court.”

The Principles define technology inclusively and indicate, “Access to a just result requires access to the justice system. Use of technology in the justice system should serve to promote equal access to justice and to promote the opportunity for equal participation in the justice system for all. Introduction of technology or changes in the use of technology must not reduce access or participation and, whenever possible, shall advance such access and participation.”

Access the Principles via the Washington State Access to Justice Board, Access to Justice Technology Principles (adopted Dec. 3. 2004) at http://media.centerdigitalgov.com/GTEN/access.doc.

• Software Accessibility, Usability Testing, and Individuals with Disabilities
• Universally Designed Online Assessment: Implications for the Future
• Catering for the Disabled Surfer: A Case Study in Web Site Navigation for Disabled Students
• Daisy for All: Publishers’ Collaboration Enabling Print Access

PAST EVENTS

1. ATIA 2005 CONFERENCE
JAnuary 19-22, 2005
Orlando, FL.

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) held their 6th annual conference showcasing excellence in assistive technology, at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort in Orlando, Florida, January 19-22, 2005. This conference brought together the Assistive Technology community for top-notch education and an exhibition showcasing the latest in Assistive Technology. More than 1,200 people attended the weeklong event.

To see the full press release describing the successful event, go to: http://www.atia.org/atia_2004_post-event_release.pdf

ITTATC and CATEA staff from Georgia Tech presented and exhibited at the conference and exhibit hall during this four-day event. The following presentations were given:

Workplace Accommodations (G803) - Sarah Endicott

How to Find and Buy Accessible Electronic & Information Technology (P804) - Timothy Creagan

Planning for Accessibility and Usability in E-Learning (K206) - Curtis Edmonds

Strategies for Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Online Education (Lab-P721) - Curtis Edmonds

Computer Workstations to Accommodate Low Back Pain (G806) - Scott Haynes, Karen Williams

Where Do Accessible Products Come From? (P716) - Timothy Creagan

To see a listing of pre-conference seminars and more than 250 educational sessions and 20 hands-on labs, visit http://www.atia.org/conf_2005.html.


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RESOURCES

1. SEARCH ENGINE GOOGLE SETS SIGHTS ON VIDEO

Jefferson Graham, “Search Engine Google Sets Sights on Video,” USA Today, Jan. 25, 2005. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-01-25-google-usat_x .htm

Google has “introduced a test site that searches closed-caption TV show transcripts” including those from PBS, ABC, C-Span, and Fox News. Yahoo subsequently countered by announcing “it would incorporate closed-caption transcripts at its test site video.search.yahoo.com by the end of February.”

Visit the Google test site at www.google.com/video.

2. ACCESSWORLD: TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

The January 2005 edition of ‘AccessWorld’ provides reviews of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), the Mountbatten Brailler, accessible home blood pressure monitors, and the MuVo mp3 player. It also includes articles on the AT Act of 2004 and interviews with scientists with visual impairments.

To access the January 2005 issue, go to http://www.afb.org/accessworld.