On June 21, 2001, the standards for Section 508 compliance went into effect. In recognition of the anniversary of this hallmark, E-Gov 2002 will host a variety of special events. Industry partners are invited to highlight their accessibility solutions to over 10,000 government and industry professionals by exhibiting in a “high traffic pavilion dedicated to Section 508.” To complement the exhibitor kiosks, a Section 508 Lab with representation from 8 federal government agencies will be showcasing the latest in Section 508 solutions.

For more information, visit: http://www.e-gov.com/.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) issued a notice requesting public comments recommending research priorities that are consistent with NIDRR’s Long-Range Plan and President Bush's New Freedom Initiative. (See, Federal Register Vol. 67 No. 96, May 17, 2002).

The NIDRR Long-Range Research Plan addresses priorities in five major areas: a. employment outcomes, b. health and function, c. technology for access, d. independent living and community integration, and e. associated disability.

Comments are due by July 16, 2002. Send comments to: Joel Myklebust, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 3422, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645; Fax: (202) 205-8515; E-mail: Joel.Myklebust@ed.gov.

ITTATC will host a free, two-hour Web Cast to examine the implementation of Section 508 thus far. Representatives from industry, federal government, and the disability community will exchange information about best practices and lessons learned, as well as identify barriers and remaining challenges to successful implementation.

• Learn how some federal agencies have structured their procurement processes to comply with Section 508.
• Hear from the private sector about some successes and challenges in meeting the demands of Section 508.
• Learn how Section 508 is working for disabled consumers.
• Get real time answers to your Section 508 implementation questions.

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) invites comments on an updated version of the Requirements document for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).

The Requirements document describes the goals of current WCAG 2.0 development, and summarizes working group consensus items to date. The Requirements document, therefore, provides some perspective on where WCAG 2.0 is headed and provides an opportunity to comment on needs and priorities to be addressed.

Comments may be sent to the email address in the document, available at: http://www.w3.org/TR/wcag2-req/.

MAGpie 2.0 is now available!

A free, do-it yourself caption- and description- authoring tool for digital multimedia developed by the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) is now available. A public beta version of the Media Access Generator (MAGpie), NCAM's free captioning and audio-description software for digital multimedia, is now ready for downloading and testing. Funding for MAGpie 2.0 is provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education, and the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).

This tool is intended for multimedia specialists, publishing companies or service providers who want to add captions, subtitles and audio descriptions to their work. However, others will also benefit from its use. Research performed by WGBH has demonstrated that caption authoring is a valuable classroom activity. Children who produce caption files for short video clips tend to write more, and their writing skills improve rapidly.

MAGpie 2.0 is Java-based. It will run on Windows 95, 98, NT4, 2000 and XP, and on Macintosh OS X. There is currently no support for earlier versions of the Mac OS.

To download MAGpie 2.0, go to: http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/magpie2_registration.html

You will be instructed to fill out a brief form, after which you will be taken to the MAGpie 2.0 public beta Web site. Here you will find downloading and installation instructions, a complete MAGpie demonstration project containing captions and audio descriptions, documentation about using MAGpie 2.0, plus a list of new features, a list of known bugs and problems, and instructions for subscribing or unsubscribing to the MAGpie listserv.

Please note: Screen reader support currently is incomplete. NCAM is working on this problem and will announce an update when a new version of the software is ready.

Verizon Wireless announced that it has teamed with HATIS, to provide the opportunity for hearing-impaired consumers to test and own a headset that makes it possible to use a wireless phone.

Consumers with a T-coil hearing aid interested in trying the HATIS Freedom can visit one of the more than 1,200 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores starting May 15, 2002 for free product demonstrations. If the consumer chooses to order a HATIS communication device, a Verizon Wireless representative will help the customer facilitate the order, either in the Verizon Wireless Communications Store or through the company's online store.

Customers interested in ordering the HATIS Producer or Freedom models online can go to the Verizon Wireless Accessory AccessSM Home page at: http://www.awpheadset.com/Verizon/hearingaidproducts.asp.

Customers can enter the brand and model of their wireless phone and the site will display compatible hearing aid products to meet their needs and phone requirements.

The new “Survival Manual for People With Hearing Difficulties,” compiled by members of the nonprofit Quiet Corner Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc., (SHHH) is now available. This book is a compilation of ideas on how to cope better with difficulties of hearing loss. The book includes frequently asked questions on hearing aids, a comprehensive listings of resources and myths vs. facts.

For information about how to obtain a copy visit: http://www.quietcornershhh.org

Congratulations to the Quiet Corner Chapter of SHHH, which will be presented with the "BEST CHAPTER WEB SITE" Award AND THE "OUTREACH" Award at the 2002 SHHH International Convention to be held in Seattle from June 21 through June 24, 2002.

SHHH convention details can be found at: http://www.shhh.org/convention/schedule.cfm.

HiSoftware's Captioning Product that produces SAMI & SMIL Captioning 1.75 (Beta) will be released soon. The main new feature/enhancement is language availability in ish (Traditional), French (Canadian), and Italian. Beta testers who can provide a valid test in the appropriate languages are needed.

All Beta Testers will receive free software.... More information on beta programs can be found at: http://www.hisoftware.com/betanews/Index.html.

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