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*** ITTATC has reached the end of its 5-year grant, so (as of 5/15/06) this website is no longer being updated. Please be advised that the information on this site may be out of date. ***
March 1, 2004
ACCESS E and IT NEWS |
March 1, 2004 (Vol 4, Issue 5)
In This Issue:
- CSUN's 19th Annual International Conference: Technology and Persons with Disabilities
- 2004 Atlanta Technology Summit
- ITAA 2004 IT Workforce Convocation
- State of Technology Conference on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities
FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS
- TRS New Voluntary and Mandatory Reporting Requirements Approved by OMB
- Internet Policy Working Group to Hold First 'Solutions Summit'
- FCC seeks comments on Petition for Reconsideration of Report and Order on Hearing Aid Compatible Telephones
- FCC to Host Discussion of Emergency Communications and The Disability Community
- FCC announces date and agenda of next Consumer Advisory Commission Meeting
- FCC modifies TRS requirements for one year, and adjusts the annual carrier contribution factor to collect additional funds needed
- ITTATC and DO-IT Release "Access to Technology in the Workplace: In Our Own Words" video
- Equal Access: Designing Your Project to Be Accessible to All Participants
- WebAIM: Review of Free, Online Accessibility Toolds
- Microsoft Study: The Wide Range of Abilities and its Impact on Computer Technology
- Microsoft White Paper: The Convergence of the Aging Workforce and Accessible Technology
- Cell Phone Meets the Needs of Persons with Disabilities
- Access Board gives Final Approval to New ADA and ABA Guidelines
- Semifinalists Announced for Innovations in American Government Awards
- Digital Counties Survey Launched this Month
- State IT Developments: GCN article
- ITTATC Consumer Training Modules
- Access E-Learning Tutorial
- ADA Document Portal
- Tactile Map Automated Production
- Fastap Technology
- 2004 Presidential Candidates Speak Out on Disability Issues
- Accessible IRS Tax Products
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
1. CSUN'S 19TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: TECHNOLOGY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
CSUN's 19th Annual International Conference: 'Technology and Persons with Disabilities,' will be held on March 15-20, 2004, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport and Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotels. CSUN is a comprehensive, international conference, where all technologies are addressed across all ages; disabilities; levels of education and training; employment status; and independent living. It is the largest conference of its kind!
Preconference workshops will be offered on Monday, March 15th and Tuesday, March 16th. These workshops are designed to give in-depth training on specific topics. The general conference begins on Wednesday, March 17th and continues through Saturday, March 20th. Throughout these four days, more than 250 sessions will be presented and over 145 exhibits will be displayed.
Staff members of ITTATC will be presenting on four occasions at CSUN. First, a pre-conference session "Implementing Section 508 At The State Level: The Whys and How Tos" will be held on Monday March 15, 2004 from 9-4:30pm offered by Deborah Buck, ITTATC Director of State IT Initiatives, and a distinguished panel of experts. This session will be held at the Marriott in the Imperial A/B room. Those interested in what is going on r.e. state activities in accessibility law, policy or guidelines should attend. Other panelist will be offering the benefit of their experience implementing Section 508 at the Federal level.
During the General Sessions, on Thursday March 18, 2004 at 9:20am at the Hilton LaJolla, Deborah Buck will also be presenting "Developing A Web Accessibility Policy: Improve Access and Ensure Implementation". Those interested in web accessibility and policy should attend. Also on Thursday, Tim Creagan, ITTATC Director of Consumer Training, will present "How to Find and Buy Accessible Information Technology" at 2pm at the Hilton in the Century A/B room. This is one of the consumer trainings recently released by ITTATC (see Resources, item 1 below). Consumers and people who are interested in being a consumer trainer are encouraged to attend. And on Saturday, Deborah Bursa, ITTATC Director of Technical Assistance, will present "Speaking Out About Inaccessible Technology" which features the recently release consumer guide called "Speak Out About Inaccessible Information and Telecommunication Technology" and sample letters to use to communicate compliments and complaints. Consumers and their advocates are encouraged to participate. It will be held at the Hilton Century A/B room at 8a.m.
For more information, including the conference schedule and registration, access: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2004/genconfinfo04.htm.
2. 2004 ATLANTA TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT
The 2004 Atlanta Technology Summit, which is sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Community Technology, will take place on March 10-12 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta, GA.
Every year, Mayor Franklin the and Office of Community Technology bring together municipal officials, community leaders and industry representatives to discuss technology issues related to the problem of the digital divide, e-commerce, and e-government. This year the issue concerns wireless access to broadband information systems. In particular, the conference will focus on how wireless and broadband can support community development, workforce development, and digital inclusion. Just as third world countries are using wireless to achieve equality with developed countries in the area of voice and data communications services, low income and underserved neighborhoods here at home may find that wireless systems provide great results at a cost that can be afforded.
For more information, including online registration, access: http://www.atlantacommunitytech.com/techsummit/Summit_newsletter/nl_template.htm.
3. ITAA TO HOLD 2004 IT WORKFORCE CONVOCATION
On May 3, 2004, the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) will hold its seventh annual National I T Workforce Convocation on 'The IT Workforce and the Global Economy' in Arlington, Virginia.
The conference will address questions such as:
**What will the future U.S. IT workforce look like in the ever-growing global economy?
**How can secondary and postsecondary schools create stronger education/training partnerships with the I T industry?
**What skills do IT employers seek in today's workers?
The conference will bring together national leaders from industry, education, and government to discuss collaborative ways to develop a skilled IT workforce. Conference tracks will focus in the following areas: the Education Pipeline, IT Policy & Practice, and Human Capital Development.
For more information, including the conference agenda, registration and hotel, access: http://www.itaa.org/events/event.cfm?EventID=874.
4. STATE OF TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE ON MOBILE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The State of Technology Conference, which will take place May 11-12, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, is hosted by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities. This free international conference brings together the leading researchers, practitioners, academicians, consumers, industry representatives, and advocates in the important area where wireless technology and rehabilitation research intersect.
For more information, including the conference program and registration, access: http://www.wirelessrerc.gatech.edu/SOT/index.htm.
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| FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS |
1. TRS NEW VOLUNTARY AND MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS APPROVED BY OMB
On January 27, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved for three years the information collection requirements contained in the Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities, Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, CC Docket No. 98-67, FCC 03-112, 18 FCC Rcd 12379 (rel. June 17, 2003) (Second Report and Order). These requirements are approved for a three-year period. See OMB No. 3060-1047. These information collection requirements relate to new voluntary and mandatory reporting requirements concerning the TRS mandatory minimum standards, which apply to the providers of TRS. See 47 C.F.R. 64.604(a)(3) (reporting required if waiver sought of various requirements); 47 C.F.R. 64.604(c)(2) (reporting contact information).
A summary of the Second Report and Order was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2003. See 68 FR 50973. Accordingly, these new or modified rules became effective on February 24, 2004, six months from the date of publication of the Second Report in the Federal Register. A copy of the TRS rules, as amended, will appear after that date on the Commission's website at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/4regs.html.
For further information, contact Dana Jackson or Cheryl King of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-2517 (voice), (202) 418-7898 (TTY).
2. INTERNET POLICY WORKING GROUP TO HOLD FIRST 'SOLUTIONS SUMMIT'
On Thursday, March 18, 2004, the FCC's Internet Policy Working Group (IPWG) will hold the first in a series of "Solutions Summits" at which leaders in government and industry can discuss creative ways to address policy issues that arise as communications services move to Internet-based platforms. The initial meeting will focus on 911/E911 issues, and on the particular challenges and opportunities created for emergency services in expanding 911/E911 access to VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol) users and increasing the use of IP technologies in emergency services networks. Participants will include members of the public safety community, industry representatives, and FCC staff. The event, which is open to the public, will be held at FCC headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. starting at 2:00 pm and ending at 5:00 pm.
The FCC Internet Policy Working Group was created by Chairman Michael K. Powell to assist the Commission in identifying, evaluating and addressing policy issues that will arise as telecommunications services move to Internet-based platforms. The cross-bureau and multi-disciplinary working group is directed by a steering committee comprised of senior management and staff from several Commission Bureaus and Offices, and is staffed as needed by attorneys, engineers and economists from across the Commission. This Working Group also interacts with key constituencies including state regulators, consumer groups and public safety organizations.
For additional information on the Working Group, as well as to learn details of upcoming Solutions Summits to be held on other topics, such as CALEA and access for persons with disabilities, visit the Internet Policy Working Group website at: www.fcc.gov/ipwg.
3. FCC SEEKS COMMENTS ON PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF REPORT AND ORDER ON HEARING AID COMPATIBLE TELEPHONES
On February 26, 2004, the Federal Communications Commission issued a public notice seeking comment on several petitions filed with the Commission seeking to modify a report and order which modified the exemption for wireless phones under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988. In the order of August 14, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released a Report and Order that 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 Report and Order requires digital phone manufacturers and service providers to take steps to reduce the amount of interference emitted from digital wireless phones and to provide the internal capability for telecoil coupling. On October 16, 2003, several interested parties filed petitions requesting the Commission to reconsider and/or clarify various aspects of its decision. By this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seeks comment on the issues raised in these petitions.
Comments are due March 29, 2004. Reply Comments are due April 13, 2004.
For the full text of the request for comments, DA 04 -567, WT Docket No. 01-309see: http://nccweb.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/headlines.html.
4. FCC TO HOST DISCUSSION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DISAIBILITY COMMUNITY
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will convene disability organizations, service providers, government agencies and other stakeholders on March 25, 2004, for a day-long summit to discuss "Emergency Communications and Homeland Security -- Working with the Disability Community." The summit will focus on identifying communications barriers faced by people with disabilities during national emergencies or terrorist attacks and developing strategies for resolving them where possible.
To see the full text of the announcement, go to: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-543A1.doc.
5. FCC ANNOUNCES DATE AND AGENDA OF NEXT CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
The next meeting of the Consumer Advisory Committee will take place on Friday, March 26, 2004, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Commission's Headquarters Building, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554. the Committee will (1) consider recommendations of its Consumer Complaints, Outreach Education, and Participation Working Group regarding electronic access to the FCC; (2) receive briefings by FCC staff regarding bureau activities; (3) observe a demonstration of Voice over the Internet (VoIP) technology and receive an overview of the VoIP rulemaking proceeding; and (4) be briefed on the Quarterly Inquiries and Complaints report. The Committee will also discuss effective partnership strategies with representatives of state and local consumer affairs agencies. To see the full text of the announcement, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-540A1.doc.
6. FCC MODIFIES TRS REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE YEAR, AND ADJUSTS THE ANNUAL CARRIER CONTRIBUTION FACTOR TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL FUNDS NEEDED
In response to requests for waivers or for clarification, and to concerns of a potential shortage of funds, the FCC modified the requirements for the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). CC Docket No. 98-67, Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities. In this Order, the Commission waived for one year the requirement that TRS providers must offer three-way calling functionality. In addition, they adjusted the annual carrier contribution factor for the July 2003 through June 2004 funding period from .00149 to .00220 in order to collect additional monies needed over the remaining months of the fund year. As a result of this adjustment to the carrier contribution factor, the Interstate TRS Fund administrator (NECA) predicts that the total TRS fund size will increase from $115,455,570 to $170,500,000.
For the full text of this Order, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-465A1.doc.
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| ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS |
1. ITTATC AND DO-IT RELEASE "ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE: IN OUR OWN WORDS"
ITTATC and DO-IT collaborated on producing a 13-minute video featuring three people with disabilities and showed how technology enables them to work. This video gives life to the concept of an accessible E&IT environment and how it benefits everyone. The video can be obtained either by contacting ITTATC (training@ittatc.org) or by contacting DO-IT (http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Order/video.order.html). It is available in digital format for Windows Media, Real Media, and QuickTime or on VHS.
You can view this in streaming media via the DO-IT web address: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/access_tech.html
2. EQUAL ACCESS: DESIGNING YOUR PROJECT TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS
This article was written by Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler of Project DO-IT ~ Disabilities Opportunities Internetworking & Technology. The article reports that many projects funded by the federal government, corporations and private foundations are not fully accessible to potential participants who have disabilities. Their websites are not designed to be accessible to individuals who are blind and using text-to-speech systems, project events are scheduled in inconvenient and even inaccessible locations, publications are not available in alternate formats, and they have not put in place procedures for efficiently responding to requests for accommodations by individuals with disabilities.
Project DO-IT's new publication, Equal Access: Designing Your Project to Be Accessible to All Participants, is designed to help projects make their information resources and activities accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. To read the full article, access: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Programs/design.html.
3. WEBAIM: REVIEW OF FREE, ONLINE ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS
The article, A Review of Free, Online Accessibility Tools, written by Peter Blair from the Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM) group, reviews eight free, online web accessibility tools and examines the general characteristics of accessibility tools. The review provides a comparison between tools, and offers suggestions as to which tool would be appropriate for each of the following audiences: web designers, web developers and web evaluators.
To read the full article, access: http://www.webaim.org/techniques/articles/freetools/.
4. MICROSOFT STUDY: THE WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES AND ITS IMPACT ON COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
In 2003, Microsoft Corporation commissioned Forrester Research, Inc., to conduct a study to measure the potential market of people in the United States who are most likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology for computers. Microsoft has now posted an online report about the study and its findings.
The goals of this study were to identify the range of physical and cognitive abilities among working-age adults and current computer users in the United States, the types of difficulties and impairments that limit the scope of activities and their degree of severity, and the number of people who could potentially benefit from using accessible technology. Accessible technology enables individuals to adjust their computers to meet their visual, hearing, dexterity, cognitive, and speech needs. It includes both accessibility options built into products as well as specialty hardware and software products (assistive technology products) that help individuals interact with a computer.
This information, coupled with aging population trends, can help to explain the aging population's impact on computer use and need for accessible technology.
This report contains a summary of the study and presents its findings about individuals who are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. It also includes findings about working-age adults and computer users and presents data about the aging population in the US and its impact on computer use. This report concludes with statements about how these findings affect the information technology industry.
To view the report, access: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/.
5. MICROSOFT WHITE PAPER: THE CONVERGENCE OF THE AGING WORKFORCE AND ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft has posted on-line a white paper which discusses the effects of America's aging workforce on business growth and productivity and illustrates how accessible technology can equip employers and mature workers to face the challenges posed by this demographic trend. As the workforce ages, accessibility challenges and disabling conditions will escalate, increasing the need for employers to find ways to accommodate people with disabilities and age-related impairments. Changes in vision, hearing and manual dexterity will directly affect aging workers' ability to use computing devices and the Internet, tools that have become fixtures in today's economy. The White Paper includes the following sections:
**Shifting Workplace Demographics and Delayed Retirement
Currently more than 69 million American workers are age 40 and older-48 percent of the total U.S. workforce.
**The Digital Workplace and the Information Worker
As the U.S. has become an information-dependent society, technology has rapidly become a common fixture in the workplace.
**Physiological Changes of Aging and Disabilities
Many of the 44.5 million aging information workers are beginning to experience age-related physiological changes. The likelihood of developing age-related impairments increases during middle age.
**Technology Solutions
Computing and the Internet are potentially valuable yet underutilized resources for the aging workforce and people with impairments.
**Accessibility is Good Business
By making a commitment to accessibility, companies can reap the benefit of productivity gains and the value of retaining knowledgeable workers.
**Implications for Business
The proportion of older workers is growing, as is the importance of accessible and assistive technologies.
To view the white paper, access: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/aging/workforce.aspx.
6. CELL PHONE MEETS THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
In January 2004, the FCC reported a dismissal with prejudice of a lawsuit filed by Dr. Bonnie O'Day against Audiovox Corporation, pursuant to a settlement in the case. This order noted the settlement of the first formal complaint filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 255 of the Communications Act of 1934. To see the full text of the order by the FCC access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-4116A1.doc or http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-4116A1.pdf.
A New York Times article, dated February 12, 2004 highlights the new features that Audiovox has added to one of its models to address the issues documented in Dr. O'Day's case. The Toshiba VM4050 model became available in February at Sprint PCS retailers. (Toshiba owns part of Audiovox's wireless subsidiary.) The Toshiba VM4050 model includes the ability to talk: when this feature is turned on, it tells users in a recorded voice such things as the battery is low or the phone is in roaming mode.
The New York Times article further reports that advocates for the blind hope that Dr. O'Day's case will prompt other companies to address the needs of persons with disabilities, as required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Section 255 of the law says telephone makers and service providers must do all that is "readily achievable" to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities.
To read the full article, access: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/12/technology/circuits/12phon.html.
7. ACCESS BOARD GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO NEW ADA AND ABA GUIDELINES
According to an article in the January/February 2004 edition of the Access Board's e-newsletter, Access Currents, the Board unanimously approved new guidelines covering access to facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act at its January meeting. The approved rule overhauls the existing ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), which were published in 1991. It also updates guidelines for federally funded facilities required to be accessible under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Both the ADA guidelines and the ABA guidelines, which the Board updated jointly to make them more consistent, specify access in new construction and alterations and provide detailed provisions for a wide range of building elements and spaces.
The new guidelines are based on recommendations developed by an advisory committee the Board had chartered to review the existing ADAAG. The ADAAG Review Advisory Committee included representation from the design and construction industry, the building code community, State and local government entities, and people with disabilities. Based on this committee's report, the Board published a proposed set of guidelines that featured a host of updated provisions and clarifying revisions, as well as a new look and format. This proposal, which was made available for public comment for six months, attracted over 2,500 comments. These comments provided considerable input on the substance of the guide-lines, and the Board made a variety of changes to the guidelines based on this feedback.
The Board's recent action allows the finalized guidelines to proceed to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which serves as a clearinghouse for Federal regulations. OMB has 90 days to complete its review. The new guidelines will be published once approved by OMB. Copies or details of the rule cannot be publicly released until OMB clearance is received. Even once published by the Board, the new requirements will not yet be mandatory on the public. Instead, the Board's final guidelines, which do not directly apply to the public, set the minimum baseline for enforceable standards maintained by other agencies, including the departments of Justice and Transportation under the ADA, and several others under the ABA. These agencies are responsible for updating their standards, which covered entities must follow, according to the Board's guidelines. In doing so, these agencies will specify when the updated standards take effect.
Further information, including background materials, is available on the Access Board's website at www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/status.htm.
8. SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARDS
[Taken from a Government Technology News Release dated January 30, 2004.]
In January, fifty government programs at the state, local, tribal and federal levels were named semifinalists for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Awards. The awards are a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation Website at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Each semifinalist is eligible to win one of five grants of $100,000.
The 50 programs were chosen from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants and represent the best and brightest in government. Four criteria were used to evaluate each application: novelty, effectiveness in addressing important problems, significance and the potential for replication by other government entities.
Of the 50 programs, a competitive process will choose 15 finalists to be announced in March. The National Selection Committee -- chaired by David R. Gergen, editor-at-large of U.S. News & World Report and director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University -- will then choose five winning programs, which will be announced on July 28, 2004 in Washington, D.C.
To read the full article, access: http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=86684.
9. DIGITAL COUNTIES SURVEY LAUNCHED THIS MONTH
The Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties (NACo) will launch the second annual Digital Counties Survey in February. The study will identify how county governments are deploying technology and recognize those jurisdictions that use IT to provide a high level of service to their citizens. All counties in the U.S. are invited to participate in the survey.
Results of the survey will be announced in July at NACo's annual conference and exposition. To view the results of past surveys, access: http://www.centerdigitalgov.com/center/03digitalcities.phtml.
10. STATE IT DEVELOPMENTS: GCN ARTICLE
[In keeping with our policy of providing current information in the State IT field, ACCESS E and IT News provides this information. This information is part of an ongoing story in the state of Arkansas. Readers are urged to follow the story as it unfolds in several GCN issues.]
The February 2004 issue of Government Technology Magazine mentions, in the Point of View column that the State of AR told state lawmakers in December 2003, that, after spending $57.5 million dollars, they have decided to "abandon" the Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System (AASIS) because it is "unworkable". This statewide application has been at the center of litigation since 2001 because it is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
To see the full text of the article, go to: http://www.govtech.net/magazine/story.php?id=87477
Editor's Note: Follow up with the article's author clarified that the performance-based budgeting module of AASIS will be abandoned, not the entire AASIS system. Another vendor has been brought under contract to build this module. Government Technology will include a clarification of this in their next issue.
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| PAST EVENTS |
1. ROADMAP FOR ACHIEVING SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE
On February 11, 2004, the Paciello Group offered a "webinar" conference detailing approaches to continuous achievement of electronic and information technology accessibility for people with disabilities. This 1-hour webinar by Mike Paciello, author of Web Accessibility to People with Disabilities and President of The Paciello Group, provided the business and technology roadmap for achieving Section 508 compliance. The discussion provided participants with a better understanding of Section 508 requirements, how to successfully address them in RFP's, and how to position Section 508 as core value-added competency.
To view the archive, as well as supporting documents, access: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/dhs_section508/040211/#.
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| RESOURCES |
1. ITTATC CONSUMER TRAINING MODULES
ITTATC has released its first two consumer training modules. These modules are designed to be given by a presenter with little or no experience in the field of Electronic & Information Technology accessibility. Appropriate audiences for these modules include people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, as well as groups from the general consumer population, which do not have a specific focus on disabilities, such as the local church groups, Rotary Club, etc. Included in this first release, the modules can be both stand alone presentations or part of a series of presentations given to a group over time.
These free training materials are shipped in a three-ring binder, which contains all the necessary materials in both paper format as well as on the enclosed CD. The training materials include PowerPoint Slides (or overhead slides upon request) with a script, and Speaker's Notes, handouts for the audience, and a presentation feedback form. The CD also contains accessible versions of the PowerPoint slides and a file containing notes on accessible presentations.
The first module is called "How to Find and Buy Accessible Technology". It gives an overview of accessibility features in standard consumer products. These features are illustrated by looking at examples of features that might be helpful when buying a phone. The objective of this training is to raise the consumer's awareness by making them consider their accessibility needs when purchasing a product, researching products for accessibility features, and interacting with retailers to be successful in getting what they need.
The second module is called "Technology Access For All" and focuses on disability laws and the rights of consumer to access. It is recommended that this be the second in a series of two presentations, but it can be delivered effectively by itself. Accompanying this presentation is a booklet entitled "Speak Out! About Inaccessible Information and Telecommunications Technology". This 158-page book is a comprehensive consumer's guide to rights under ADA, The Rehab Act Sections 501, 504 and 508, the Telecommunications Act Sections 255 and 713, the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act, Television Decoder Circuitry Act, and the Televised Emergency Programming Act. These are free to the presenters for their audiences and to the public that attend the training.
Presenters are offered a small honorarium for providing the training by providing their feedback and that of the audience to the ITTATC project. Potential presenters can calculate what the potential honorarium would be by going to the form http://www.ittatc.org/training/rectrain.php and selecting either consumer training option and answering the questions. Persons interested in this program who would like more information, are asked to contact Mimi Kessler at mimi.Kessler@ittatc.org or by calling 866-948-8282 (v/TTY).
Presenters who wish to receive the notebook for trainers including the CD with all the electronic files, the handouts, and the feedback forms, should contact Alan Overton at alano@catea.org or by calling toll free 866-948-8282 to request a copy. Please provide your name, address for shipping (no PO boxes, please), and a telephone number for the shipping label, and a copy will be sent to you. Presenters who would like to distribute these free training materials to other trainers, are asked to simply let us know how many notebooks you would like to receive.
2. ACCESS E-LEARNING TUTORIAL
The GRADE (Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education) project has released Access E-Learning, a ten-module tutorial that is a resource for those seeking to make distance education accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Access E Learning covers the following modules:
Module 1: Issues for Accessibility in Distance Learning
Module 2: Planning for Accessibility in Distance Learning
Module 3: Making Power Point Slides Accessible
Module 4: Making Video Accessible
Module 5: Making Flash Accessible
Module 6: Making Word Documents Accessible
Module 7: Making PDF Documents Accessible
Module 8: Making Scripts and Java Accessible
The modules can be taken independently or sequentially. To view and download this free resource, access: www.accesselearning.net.
3. ADA DOCUMENT PORTAL
A new on-line library of ADA documents is now available on the Internet. Developed by Meeting the Challenge Inc. of Colorado Springs with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, this website makes available more than 3,400 documents related to the ADA, including those issued by Federal agencies with responsibilities under the law. It also offers extensive document collections on other disability rights laws and issues.
Access the website at: www.ADAportal.org.
4. TACTILE MAP AUTOMATED PRODUCTION
The goal of Smith-Kettlewell's Tactile Map Automated Production (TMAP) Project is to develop a web-based software tool for rapid production of highly specific, tactile street maps of any location in the USA. Prior to this time, tactile maps have been difficult and expensive to obtain or produce. Local street maps for any specific town or city have been almost impossible to obtain in an accessible format. TMAP brings together existing geographical information system (GIS) resources with currently available computer-controlled embossing and engraving technologies to yield a revolutionary tool which will significantly impact education, orientation, and mobility of blind and visually impaired travelers.
The users of the TMAP service will be able to use a web or telephone interface to specify the location and size of the desired tactile map. The map file and related key information will be generated immediately and sent via download or postal mail to the user. Maps will be highly customizable to the needs and desires of the user. For example, map labeling may be in Braille or raised print, specific paths of travel or locations of important facilities such as train stations may be indicated. Because clutter is such a critical factor in the readability of tactile maps, TMAP algorithms display only the features relevant at the selected scale. For example, only major streets are shown if a map of a large area is to be produced.
In addition to its anticipated practical benefits, the TMAP project may also be of use as a research tool. Many way finding and cognitive psychology studies have investigated the degree to which blind and visually impaired people are able to integrate spatial information obtained from tactile maps. With the TMAP project, researchers will, for the first time, have a virtually unlimited set of customizable tactile maps to utilize in their research.
To learn more about this project, access: http://www.ski.org/tmap.
5. FASTAP TECHNOLOGY
Fastap technology, a product of Digital Wireless, brings keyboard functionality to the mobile phone. By superimposing two keyboards in 3D, the Fastapä technology provides numbers, letters, punctuation, and 'hot keys'- a complete easy-to-use data interface that fits neatly in a small mobile phone. No technology works for every person, but Fastap provides significant benefit to many who are visually or hearing impaired.
Visually Impaired: Because Fastap provides dedicated keys for each letter and number, it can be used quickly and reliably by touch alone.
Hearing Impaired: Fastap technology significantly improves mobile communication for people who are deaf or speech impaired. Fastap offers the functionality of a TTY terminal in a mainstream phone.
To learn more about the Fastap technology, access: www.digitwireless.com.
6. 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT ON DISABILITY ISSUES
The National Organization on Disability continues to collect new information from the campaigns of the 2004 Presidential Candidates, with respect to their positions on disability issues, and how these candidates plan to reach out to voters with disabilities. Check the website for the latest disability and campaign-related updates at: http://www.nod.org/election2004.html.
7. ACCESSIBLE IRS TAX PRODUCTS
The IRS Alternative Media Center has prepared hundreds of its most popular tax forms and publications using full text descriptions where needed and is making these files available for download through the IRS Digital Daily. Most of the files prepared in this manner are in ASCII text format, a few were prepared in HTML and all have been transcribed for Braille. The Braille print files are in .brf format and can be sent directly to an embosser for high quality Braille output. To download these files, use the following links:
a.
Download Accessible Tax Forms at:
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=101465,00.html.
b.
Download Accessible Tax Publications at:
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=101466,00.html.
c.
Download Accessible Talking Tax Forms at:
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98135,00.html.
To read more about the accessible IRS tax products, access: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=96151,00.html.
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Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center
Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access
Georgia Institute of Technology
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