November 1, 2004

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. IDEAS 2004: Connecting People Through Technology!
2. Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education
3. Information Technology Association of America 2004 Executive Leadership Summit
4. Beyond the Myths: Successful Collaboration for Technology Innovators
5. 16th Annual Information Resources Management Association (IRMA) International Conference

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. Petitions Filed for Reconsideration of TRS Requirements from Report & Order FCC 04-137
2. Request for Exemption from Commission's Closed Captioning Rules (CSR 6392)
3. Next Meeting Date and Agenda of Consumer Advisory Committee
4. FCC Denies Petition by Abundant Life Christian Center for Exemption from Closed Captioning Requirements
5. Telco Group Seeks to Exclude Its International Revenues from the Interstate TRS Fund Payment Calculations

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. Georgia Tech and ITTATC Sponsor A Voting Rights Survey on Accessibility
2. ADA Does Not Require Business Websites to Be Accessible
3. Free Microsoft Accessibility CDs
4. Philadelphia Intends to Have the First, Big City Free Wireless Internet Network
5. Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. Paralyzed Man Sends E-mail by Thought
2. Study Uses Mobile Phones to Track Individuals with Dementia
3. Focus Group Study Presents Technology Use of Individuals with Disabilities
4. President Bush and Senator Frist Name Health IT Gropu Members
5. Setting Sites on Section 508
6. NCD Announces a New Report on Universal Design in the Marketplace

PAST EVENTS

1. Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education Web Conference

RESOURCES

1. Revolutionary New Software Tool Enables the Blind, Dyslexic and Print Disabled to Create Their Own Accessible Media
2. E-Test Equipment
3. Free WEb Course on Accessible IT
4. Accessibility Features of Dream Weaver MX and MX 2004
5. 'Location Free' Portable Broadband TV Models

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. IDEAS 2004: CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Nov. 3–4, 2004, Washington, DC.
http://www.ideas508.com/

This conference addresses "the changing needs of the government regarding information technology and the laws and regulations affecting accessibility," offering workshops, round-table discussions, and exhibits.

ITTATC is sponsoring webcasts of some sessions which will be archived and available for later viewing. For more information, visit our page http://www.ittatc.org/news/displayArticle.cfm?articleID=1542

2. 7TH ANNUAL ACCESSING HIGHER GROUND CONFERENCE: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSIBLE MEDIA IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Nov. 9-12, 2004 Boulder, CO

This conference will focus on the use and benefits of assistive technology in higher education setting for individuals with sensory, learning, and physical disabilities. The conference will also present the legal and policy implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for campus services, media, library, and websites.

For more information:
http://www.colorado.edu/ATconference

3. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 2004 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Nov. 14-15, 2004
Dallas, TX
http://www.itaa.org/software/events/event.cfm?EventID=1097

Following the conference, on Nov. 18, the IT Accessibility and Regulation Task Group will meet in the ITAA boardroom. For more information: http://www.itaa.org/software/events/event.cfm?EventID=993

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. PETITIONS FILED FOR RECONSIDERATION OF TRS REQUIREMENTS FROM REPORT & ORDER FCC 04-137

FCC (DA 04-3266), Communication Services for the Deaf, Inc., Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc., National Video Relay Service Coalition, and Hamilton Relay, Inc. File Petitions for Reconsideration of TRS Requirements from the Report & Order, Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice Provided of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 04-137 (Oct. 15, 2004).

WORD Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3266A1.doc
PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3266A1.pdf

Communication Services for the Deaf, Inc., Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc., National Video Relay Service Coalition, and Hamilton Relay, Inc. have each filed separate and distinct petitions for reconsideration of TRS Requirements proposed on June 30, 2004.

The FCC invites interested parties to file oppositions to these petitions for reconsideration until Nov. 15, 2004. Replies to such oppositions will be welcomed until Nov. 30, 2004.

For more information:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.html

2. FCC, REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM COMMISSION'S CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES (CSR 6392)

Oct. 19, 2004

WORD Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3306A1.doc
PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3306A1.pdf

The Gulf Meadows Church of Houston, Texas has "filed a petition for exemption from the closed captioning requirements . . .." Comments or oppositions to this petition are due within thirty days.

For more information: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/headlines.html

3. NEXT MEETING DATE AND AGENDA OF CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

FCC, Next Meeting Date and Agenda of Consumer Advisory Committee
DA (04-3327), Oct. 21, 2004.

WORD Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3327A1.doc
PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3327A1.pdf

The FCC will hold the next meeting of the Consumer Advisory Committee on Nov. 19, 2004, 9am–4pm, in the Commission’s Headquarters Building, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC.

The meetings agenda includes presentation of briefings, reports, and recommendations pertaining to:

• "digital television and the Commission’s DTV outreach campaign"
• "improvements to the Commissions quarterly report of informal complaints and inquiries"
• "consumer issues in competition policy"
• "emergency communications."

4. FCC DENIES PETITION BY ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER FOR EXEMPTION FROM CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS

FCC, In the Matter of Abundant Life Christian Center, Memorandum Opinion and Order (CSR 6284), Oct. 21, 2004.

WORD Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3330A1.doc
PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3330A1.pdf

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. GEORGIA TECH AND ITTATC SPONSOR A VOTING RIGHTS SURVEY ON ACCESSIBILITY

ITTATC, in conjunction with Georgia Tech, has created and distributed a voter survey designed to measure voter satisfaction with the voting process and the accessibility of submitting a ballot electronically or otherwise.

The press release from Georgia Tech's Office of Communications can be accessed via this link: http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=473,

The survey can be accessed via this link: www.gatech.edu/votersurvey or via the ITTATC site at www.ittatc.org/voting.php.

2. ADA DOES NOT REQUIRE BUSINESS WEBSITES TO BE ACCESSIBLE

Access Now, Inc. v. Southwest Airlines Co., No. 02-16163 (11th Cir. Sept. 24, 2004).
http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200216163.pdf

The Appellate Court for the Eleventh Circuit has upheld a Florida federal court’s determination that public websites are not subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff, Access Now, raised a new argument on appeal that Defendant, Southwest Airlines, acts as a travel agent on its website, and therefore is a public accommodation subject to Title III of the ADA. The court rejected this argument for not having been made previously in the district court.

3. FREE MICROSOFT ACCESSIBILITY CDs

http://ms.kpcorp.com/msaccessxp/AspxFiles/OrderForm.aspx

Microsoft is offering free CDs that contain:

- Five video demonstrations that provide an overview of what's possible with accessibility options.
- Tutorials and case studies to find out how to integrate accessible technology into your workplace.

The offer is good until Nov. 30, 2004.

4. PHILADELPHIA INTENDS TO HAVE THE FIRST, BIG CITY FREE WIRELESS INTERNET NETWORK

Wireless Philadelphia Executive Committee, Briefing: A 21st Century Opportunity. http://www.phila.gov/wireless/briefing.html

City officials in Philadelphia are planning a 135 mile wireless "hotspot" at a cost $10 million. The network may be particularly useful to the residents of neighborhoods lacking high-speed Internet access, often low income neighborhoods and persons with disabilities in these neighborhoods.

5. NINE HONOREES RECEIVE NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE AWARD

Press Release, Department of Labor, Nine Honorees Receive Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao’s New Freedom Initiative Award Recognizing Achievements On Behalf Of People with Disabilities, Oct. 25, 2004.

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20042039.htm

Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao, has selected 5 businesses, 3 non-profit organizations, and an NFL player for the annual New Freedom Initiative Awards. The award "recognizes exemplary and innovative efforts to train, recruit, and hire people with disabilities . . .."

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. PARALYZED MAN SENDS E-MAIL BY THOUGHT

Roxanne Khamsi, Paralyzed Man Sends E-Mail by Thought, News@Nature, Oct. 13, 2004. http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041011/full/041011-9.html

For many paralyzed persons, communicating and accessing the resources of the world require use of the muscle functionality of the eyes or tongue. Recently, surgeons implanted the BrainGate device into the motor cortex of a man with quadriplegia, permitting him to access computer information, such as checking email, using his thoughts.

• "Living with Disability and Technology: Independence and Community Inclusion"
  http://www.atnet.org/CR4AT/howitworks.htm#7
• AT on the Job: The Difference Technology Makes
  http://www.atnet.org/CR4AT/howitworks.htm#12
• Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program: Macro AT Success Story
  http://www.atnet.org/CR4AT/howitworks.htm#14

PAST EVENTS

1. GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH ON ACCESSIBLE DISTANCE EDUCATION WEB CONFERENCE

The Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education (GRADE) began a free, ten-course web tutorial addressing accessible distance-learning technologies on Oct. 14, 2004. To initiate the project EASI hosted a GRADE project interactive web conference.

For more information: http://www.ittatc.org/calendar/displayEvent.cfm?eventID=3140


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RESOURCES

1. REVOLUTIONARY NEW SOFTWARE TOOL ENABLES THE BLIND, DYSLEXIC AND PRINT DISABLED TO CREATE THEIR OWN ACCESSIBLE MEDIA

Send2Press, Revolutionary New Software Tool Enables the Blind, Dyslexic and Print Disabled to Create Their Own Accessible Media, Oct. 18, 2004.

http://www.send2press.com/PRnetwire/pr04_101803-rehab.shtml

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology, Inc. has released its eClipseWriter software application, which "enables users to quickly and easily turn virtually any electronic text document into a Digital Talking Book."

2. E-TEXT EQUIPMENT

Technology Helps Blind, Learning Disabled Students Read at Eastern Michigan, Associated Press, Oct. 9, 2004.
http://www.detnews.com/2004/schools/0410/10/schools-298260.htm

The Center for Adaptive Technology Education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti is using "E-text" technology to turn textbooks and course materials into audio or Braille for students with visual impairments and learning disabilities.

For more information:
http://www.emich.edu/coe/cate