On June 17, 2002, the FCC released the date for comments in its Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR). This NPR seeks to determine whether the Commission (FCC) should attempt to devise a method for allocating Internet protocol for telecommunications relay service calls as intrastate or interstate.

Comments are due by July 11, 2002. Reply Comments are due July 26, 2002. See Public Notice, CC Docket No. 98-67, DA 02-1426.

The U. S. Access Board has just published the May/June issue of its newsletter, “Access Currents.” It includes some leading section 508 resources on the web:

www.section508.gov
a primary portal for information on the law, products, training programs, and a list of Federal agency 508 contacts

www.access-board.gov/508.htm
which includes guidance material from the Board on its 508 standards

www.accessibilityforum.org
organized by an ongoing collaboration among 508 stake-holders, including users, industry, government, and other communities

www.itic.org
the official website of the Information Technology Industry Council

www.ittatc.org
a site developed by the Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center

FEDERAL REGISTER 67 FR 43524 PROPOSED RULE

June 27, 2002

48 CFR Parts 39 and 52 Federal Acquisition Regulation Section 508 Contract Clause

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking

SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Regulations Council (Councils) are considering whether there is a need at this time for changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation or other acquisition guidance to promote more consistent and effective implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and, if so, what specific changes are needed.

The Councils request that interested parties provide comments in writing on or before August 26, 2002 to be considered in the formulation of a proposed rule. Submit written comments to: General Services Administration
FAR Secretariat (MVP)
1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035
ATTN: Laurie Duarte
Washington, DC 20405

Submit electronic comments via the Internet to farnotice.2001-033@gsa.gov.

The notice requests that parties submit comments only and cite <> <> 2001-033, Section 508 Contract Clause (Notice) in all correspondence related to this case.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, at (202) 501-4755 for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. The TTY Federal Relay Number for further information is 1-800-877-8973.

On June 20th, Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), Co-Chair, of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus; Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD), Co-Chair, of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus; and Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), Chair, Committee on House Administration sponsored a Congressional Web Accessibility Day To Celebrate the One-Year Anniversary of Section 508. Employees of the House Information Resources (HIR) demonstrated techniques for making web sites accessible. Several vendors of web accessibility tools were also present. Congresswoman Connie Morella established the goal for the House of Representatives that it voluntarily makes all of its web sites accessible. No legislation was proposed.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has designed an accessible web-based complaint form to assist consumers with disabilities in filing complaints with the FCC about the accessibility of telephones and telephone services. The form accompanies the revised version of "How To Get An Accessible Telephone: Section 255 for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired." The updated brochure briefly explains consumer rights under the law and offers tips on filing a complaint.

The Web address for the accessible web-based complain form is:http://www.afb.org/255complaint.asp.

The Web address for the updated brochure is: http://www.afb.org/section255.asp.

Frank G. Bowe, Ph.D., LL.D., a Professor at Hoffstra University, recently posted his new publication, “Broadband and Americans with Disabilities,” on the web. This publication explores the practical and policy implications of broadband technology for people with disabilities.

The publication is available at: http://people.hofstra.edu/faculty/frank_g_bowe/bb/.

Back to top