March 1, 2005 (Vol. 5, Issue, 5)

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. CSUN’s 20th Annual International Conference “Technology and Persons with Disabilities,” March 14–19, 2005
2. Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) 2005 Wireless Convention & Exposition, March 14–16, 2005
3. FOSE 2005 – Where the Government Meets Technology, April 5–7, 2005
4. RESNA’s 28th International Conference on Technology & Disability, June 23–27, 2005
5. Instructional Technology and Education of the Deaf (International Symposium), June 27–30, 2005
6. Telecommunications for the Deaf Conference, July 11–13, 2005

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. Petitions for Exemptions from Closed Captioning Requirements Are Denied.
2. FCC Seeks Additional Comment on the Video Relay Service Speed of Answer Requirement.
3. FCC 11th Annual Report: Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming.
4. Expiration of TRS Waiver to Three-Way Calling Functionality Requirement
5. Statement of Chairman Powell on Three Proposed Forfeitures for Violation of Commission Closed Captioning Rules.
6. Chairman Michael Powell to Depart FCC March 2005; Overview of His Accomplishments
7. Petition for Declaratory Ruling Filed Concerning VRS Interoperability

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. Government Reform Committee Chair Tom Davis Elevates IT Agenda to Full Committee Status

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. Kentucky Governor Signs News Service Contract for Visually Impaired

PAST EVENTS

1. Assistive Technology Showcase, February 24, 2005.
2. ATIA 2005 Conference, January 19–22, 2005.
3. CTIA and SHHH Discuss Wireless Technology and Hearing Loss

RESOURCES

1. Verizon Wireless Web Site Has Features for Easier Access by Users with Disabilities

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. CSUN’s 20th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION “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, ITTATC, is 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)

2. CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS & INTERNET ASSOCIATION (CTIA) 2005 WIRELESS CONVENTION & EXPOSITION
March 14-16, 2005
New Orleans, LA

http://www.ctiawireless.com/

The CTIA convention includes a half-day seminar, “The Wireless Accessibility Workshop,” on Monday March 15 (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM). This workshop offers “[t]hree separate panels and a working lunch” addressing “technical and policy issues involved with continuing to make wireless services accessible to individuals with disabilities.”

Convention Brochure: http://www.ctiawireless.com/docs/CTIA_W2005_Mailer2.pdf

3. FOSE 2005 – WHERE THE GOVERNMENT MEETS TECHNOLOGY
April 5–7, 2005
Washington, DC.

As the largest and longest-running government technology showcase, FOSE is the most comprehensive technology event serving the government marketplace. Every year FOSE continues to provide more value to attendees through world-class educational programs, the latest solutions and technology being demonstrated by over 500 government and industry experts, networking opportunities, and demonstrations.

For more information on sessions, and how to register: access: http://www.fose.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Home.Home

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

“The program will focus on the education of deaf students in K-12 and postsecondary environments using technology from around the world. Among international participants, there will be representation from five international postsecondary programs serving deaf students. These professionals will present and discuss issues related to technology and education.”

Conference Announcement & Fact Sheet: http://www.rit.edu/~techsym/FactSheet_2005.pdf

For more information: http://www.rit.edu/%7Etechsym

6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR THE DEAF CONFERENCE
July 11–13, 2005
New Orleans, LA.

More than 300 participants, including consumers with hearing loss, vendors and key officials - are expected to gather at the 16th Biennial TDI International Conference. At the exhibits, open to the public during the Conference, attendees will view state-of-the-art technologies with great potential to expand opportunities, increase accessibility, and foster new possibilities for ease in communication. Various officials and key staff members from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal and state government agencies, as well as industry leaders are anticipated to attend.

Reflecting upon the evolution of technologies and regulations since the previous conference, as a key aspect of this conference, participants will examine the growth of digital technologies and their impact on the accessibility that we have achieved with analog technologies.

For more information: http://www.tdi-online.org/neworleansconference/tdi/16intro.htm

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. PETITIONS FOR EXEMPTIONS FROM CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS ARE DENIED

The following petitions for exemption have recently been denied:

• Healing Miracles Ministries, Memorandum Opinion & Order (CSR 6297) (DA No. 05-453), Feb. 22, 2005.
• New Life Team, Memorandum Opinion & Order (CSR 6294) (DA No. 05-442), Feb. 18, 2005.
• Quail Valley Church, Memorandum Opinion & Order (CSR 6295) (DA No. 05-445), Feb. 18, 2005.
• Your Health With Dr. Ditty, Memorandum Opinion & Order (CSR 6293) (DA No. 05-443), Feb. 18, 2005.
• Covenant International Church, Memorandum Opinion & Order (CSR 6291) (DA No. 05-272), Feb. 2, 2005

The Memoranda Opinions & Orders are available at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/headlines.html

2. FCC SEEKS ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON THE VIDEO RELAY SERVICE SPEED OF ANSWER REQUIREMENT

Public Notice (CC Docket No. 98-67; CG Docket No. 03-123), Feb. 8, 2005.

Finding that public comments on the VRS ‘Speed of Answer’ requirement have lacked necessary specificity, the FCC has sought further comments due Feb. 25, 2005 (reply comments due Mar. 4, 2005). In particular, the FCC requires further input, in part, regarding:

• Speed of answer time and percentage of calls “required to be answered within that period of time”
• When a particular speed rule should be effective
• If and how requirements should be phased in
• “[S]tarting and ending points for measuring speed of answer”
• The handling of “abandoned” calls and “call backs”

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.pdf

Text: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-339A1.txt

3. FCC 11th ANNUAL REPORT: ASSESSMENT OF THE STATUS OF COMPETITION IN THE MARKET FOR THE DELIVERY OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING (MB DOCKET NO. 04-227)
Feb. 4, 2005

This report, in part, addresses implications for closed captioning in the ever-growing environment of digital broadcast media (p. 56, no. 92), consumer satisfaction and frustration with closed captioning compliance and effectiveness (pp. 93–94, no. 177), and requests for additional enforcement mechanisms (p. 94, nos. 178–79).

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-13A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-13A1.pdf

4. EXPIRATION OF TRS WAIVER TO THREE-WAY CALLING FUNCTIONALITY REQUIREMENT

TRS Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities (Order DA 05-447), Feb. 17, 2005.

“This Order addresses the current waiver of the telecommunications relay services (TRS) requirement that TRS providers (including providers of captioned telephone service) offer three-way calling functionality as a TRS mandatory minimum standard. On February 24, 2005, the one-year waiver of this requirement expire[d]. This Order clarifies the manner in which TRS providers may comply with this rule . . . .”

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-447A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-447A1.pdf

5. STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN POWELL ON THREE PROPSED FROEITURES FOR VIOLATION OF COMMISSION CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES
Feb. 23, 2005

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256935A1.doc

“Today’s Enforcement Bureau actions are the first in the Commission’s history regarding its emergency closed captioning rules. People with hearing disabilities have a right to the same timely emergency information as stations provide to their hearing audiences. The Commission remains committed to strong enforcement in this critical area.”

The broadcasting agencies identified for violations are Midwest Television, Inc., Channel 51 of San Diego, Inc., and McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Co., Inc.

The “Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture” are available at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/headlines.html

6. CHAIRMAN MICHAEL POWELL TO DEPART FCC; OVERVIEW OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Chairman Michael Powell will be departing the Commission in March 2005, as was announced by the FCC earlier this year. In his remarks, the Chairman noted, in part:

“During my tenure, we worked to get the law right in order to stimulate innovative technology that puts more power in the hands of the American people, giving them greater choices that enrich their lives. … The use of cell phones, digital televisions, personal video recorders, and digital music players, is exploding. These devices are increasingly connected anytime, anywhere by a wide variety of broadband networks enabling a host of competitive services and new applications. Our children will inherit this exciting future.”

To see the full text of his comments, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256206A1.doc

For a review of the Chairman’s accomplishments, access: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-256206A2.txt

7. PETITION OF DECLARATORY RULING FILED CONCERNING VRS INTEROPERABILITY

Petition for Declaratory Ruling Filed by California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Concerning Video Relay Service Interoperability (DA 05-509) (CC Docket No. 98-67; CG Docket No.03-123), Mar. 1, 2005.

On February 15, 2005, the California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH) filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling on Interoperability, requesting that the FCC prohibit any VRS provider that receives compensation from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund from purposely restricting its deaf and hard-of-hearing customers to a single VRS provider via the software or hardware of their VRS equipment or through exclusivity agreements with those customers.

Interested parties may file comments in this proceeding (30 days after publication in the Federal Register) and reply comments may be filed (45 days after publication in the Federal Register). When filing comments, please reference CC Docket No. 98-67 and CG Docket No. 03-123.

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-509A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-509A1.pdf

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE CHAIR TOM DAVIS ELEVATES IT AGENDA TO FULL COMMITTEE STATUS

Jason Miller, Davis Kicks IT Oversight Upstairs to Full Committee, Government Computer News, Feb. 21, 2005.

http://www.gcn.com/24_4/news/35111-1.html

As reported in a recent issue of Government Computer News, Rep. Tom Davis, Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform has elevated the status of government IT issues to the review of the full committee. Previously, such issues as e-government, cybersecurity, information sharing and reviews of specific systems within agencies were reviewed by a subcommittee of Government Reform, the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census.

Davis’s elevation of IT oversight to the full Committee indicates growing importance of IT in government. To underline the importance of IT and the Committee’s work, the Office of Management and Budget indicated that the administration will work closely with Davis and the full committee on IT management issues.

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. KENTUCKY GOVERNOR SIGNS NEWS SERVICE CONTRACT FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED, GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE NEWS
Feb. 18, 2005

http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=93114

Kentucky has entered into a one-year contract with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to provide free electronic access via the telephone to over 150 newspapers for Kentuckians with visual impairments. The service offers 24-hour, toll-free access to today’s, yesterday’s, and the Sunday edition of papers, user control of voice quality and speed, and touch-tone searching via word or subject.

The free service is available for eligible persons, who, according to the NFB online application, include those: (a) “registered at a state or private vocational rehabilitation agency for the blind,” (b) “enrolled in a public school special education program for the blind or state residential school for the blind,” (c) “enrolled with a Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped,” or (4) who otherwise can demonstrate their visual impairment via “additional documentation requirements.” Those eligible receive an identification number and security code for access.

James Gashel, NFB Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, emphasizes the importance of the freedom that this service offers “to choose which articles we want to read and when we want to read them.” Presently, 38 states contract with the NFB to provide their citizens this service.

Online NFB Application: http://www.nfb.org/newsline1.htm

PAST EVENTS

1. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE

The U.S. General Services Administration’s Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA), held its monthly ‘Assistive Technology Showcase’ on Feb. 24, 2004. The Showcase featured assistive technology for persons with visual impairments including the myReader, BrailleNote PK, a Color PocketViewer, and the Brailliant Braille Display, all from Pulse Data Humanware.

CITA expressly provides the following disclaimer: “GSA, CITA does not endorse the products mentioned above or any other products displayed or demonstrated in their Assistive Technology Showcase. All references to products are solely for the purpose of educating the workforce on assistive technology products for people with disabilities.”

For further information on upcoming showcases, contact Marilyn Estep: 202-501-3322 (voice) 202-501-2010 (TDD), or via email: marilyn.estep@gsa.gov.

Alternately, visit:

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=13198&noc=T

2. ATIA 2005 CONFERENCE
January 19–22, 2005
Orlando, FL

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 6th annual conference brought together the Assistive Technology community for over 250 sessions and 20 hands-on labs, as well as an exhibition showcasing the latest in Assistive Technology. More than 1,200 people attended the week-long event.

ITTATC and CATEA staff from Georgia Tech presented and exhibited at the conference and exhibit hall. The following presentations were given:

• Workplace Accommodations (G803, Sarah Endicott)
• How to Find and Buy Accessible Electronic & Information Technology (P 804, Timothy Creagan, ITTATC)
• 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 view the session papers, visit: http://www.atia.org/conf_2005.html

Or access: http://atiaew.prod.web.sba.com/displaymod/SingleConf.cfm?conference_id=3&searchType=4

3. CTIA and SHHH DISCUSS WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY AND HEARLING LOSS

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA), Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH), and other consumer groups representing people with hearing loss met in November 2004 to discuss the features and services needed by consumers with hearing loss to effectively use wireless products. CTIA and its member organizations plan to incorporate accessibility features into their 3rd Generation wireless technology. For instance, the CapTel application permits the user to “dial the desired number and be instantaneously connected to both that number and to the CapTel captioning service.” The CapTel user receives normal audio from the second party and every word from the second party is digitally recorded on an LCD screen built into the wireless phone. Consumer representatives also expressed the need for 3G wireless technology to incorporate the Video Relay Service.

The upcoming CTIA convention in New Orleans (see ‘Upcoming Events’ above) will include a half-day seminar on accessibility issues. SHHH will be represented on the panel, and will be staffing a booth to provide information on wireless phone accessibility.

To view the full text of the announcement, access: http://www.hearingloss.org/html/TC17.html

RESOURCES

1. VERISON WIRELESS WEB SITE HAS FEATURES FOR EASIER ACCESSS BY USERS WITH DISABILITIES

Verizon Wireless has announced that its “corporate Web site, http://www.verizonwireless.com, has been enhanced to make it more accessible to customers with disabilities.” Improvements include accessible online forms, scalable text size, link and image descriptions, and ‘mouse-free’ navigation.

To see the full text of the announcement, access: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/12-20-2004/0002669387&EDATE