October 7, 2005 (Vol. 5, Issue 12)

Note: This newsletter is the final issue of Access E & IT News. ITTATC has reached the end of its 5-year grant, so we are finishing up final projects and transitioning our website into "maintenance mode." Printed versions of our training materials will be available as long as current inventories last; electronic copies of these same materials should be available online over the next few weeks. Other materials, e.g., the Speak Out, the Overview of State Accessibility Laws, Policies and Standards, and the Ask the Expert questions, have been – and will continue to be – available online. We anticipate that the ITTATC website (www.ittatc.org) and our online training and technical assistance materials will be available for at least another 2 – 3 years.

We want to thank our readers for their interest in a more inclusive world, and we hope that ITTATC has made a difference in promoting technology that is accessible to all.

*** In the future, for more news on accessible IT and telecommunications issues, check out the Disability Law & Policy e-Newsletter, which is referenced near the bottom of this issue.

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Wormholes Through Windows: Enhancing the Usability and Accessibility of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, Oct. 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2005
2. October 2005 Assistive Technology Day, Oct. 11, 2005
3. Closing the Gap 23rd Annual Conference, Oct. 20–22, 2005
4. 8th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference, Nov. 8–11, 2005

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC Reminds TV Stations to Make Emergency Hurricane Aftermath Programming Accessible.
2. FCC Temporarily Waives Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements for Wireless Carriers.
3. VRS No Substitute for In-Person or VRI.

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. Access Alerts: Making Emergency Information Accessible to People with Disabilities.
2. CRS Report Calls for Overhaul of Emergency Alert System.
3. NAD and Attorneys Outten & Golden File Class Action Lawsuit Against Morgan Stanley.

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. Enhancing Academic Achievement and Transition Outcomes Using Technology.

PAST EVENTS

1. 1. Workplace Accommodations: State of the Science, September 2005.

RESOURCES

1. National Emergency Resource Registry Adds Needs of Disability Community to Searchable List.
2. Hurricane Katrina Emergency Information.
3. New Accessibility Features in Copiers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. WORMHOLES THROUGH WINDOWS: ENHANCING THE USABILITY AND ACCESSABILITY OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS AND MICROSOFT OFFICE,
Oct. 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2005

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) is offering a four-part interactive workshop on improving Windows accessibility for persons with disabilities. Discussion will cover, in part, awareness of unfamiliar Windows commands and techniques, and faster, more accurate, and more energy efficient operation. The course instructor is Alan Cantor (Cantor Access Inc.), "an internationally-known consultant, researcher, writer, and educator on disability and technology."

Wednesdays 2–3PM (EST) in October.

For more information: http://easi.cc/forms/cantor-series.htm

2. OCTOBER 2005 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DAY,
Oct. 11, 2005
Washington, DC

October Assistive Technology Day, hosted by the Center for Information Technology Accommodation (U.S. General Services Administration), offers participants the opportunity to learn about the latest JAWS 7.0 Screen Reader from Freedom Scientific. JAWS 7.0 offers full integration with (i) the Mozilla Fire Fox 1.5 web browser, (ii) Magic Magnification with Speech, (iii) Open Book OCR Scanning Software, (iv) the SARA Scanning and Reading Appliance, (v) Focus 40/80 Celled Braille displays, and (vi) the PACMate Accessible Notetaker. The event also will overview the NEW DAISY training materials that are built into JAWS 7.0.

Time: 10AM to 3PM (Lunch Break from 12–1)

Attendance requires (free) registration: www.section508.gov.

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

3. CLOSING THE GAP 23RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE,
Oct. 20–22, 2005,
Minneapolis, MN.

Closing The Gap's annual conference has earned a reputation internationally as a leading source for information on innovative applications of computer technology for persons with disabilities. The 23rd Annual Conference builds on a tradition of providing a comprehensive examination of the most current uses of technology by persons with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

For complete conference and registration details, including 25 pre-conference workshops (Oct. 18–19), and over 175 presentations and extensive commercial exhibits (Oct. 20–22), visit: http://www.closingthegap.com/conf/index.lasso.

4. 8TH ANNUAL ACCESSING HIGHER GROUND: ACCESSIBLE MEDIA, WEB AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE,
Nov. 8–11, 2005
Boulder, CO.

This conference will include more than 45 sessions, including "hands-on labs and lectures…on the availability and benefits of accessible media and technology in the university, college and business setting."

Pre-conference events include: (i) Equal Access to Software & Information (EASI) sessions on library access; (ii) California State University, Northridge (CSUN) ‘AT Applications Certificate Program' (ATACP) trainings; (iii) The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) presentations on the NIMUS e-text initiative; and (iv) WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) hands-on workshops addressing ‘The Next Generation of Web Accessibility: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust (POUR).'

For highlights and further information: http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/ATconference/schedovrvw2005.html#highlights.

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC REMINDS TV STATIONS TO MAKE EMERGENCY HURRICANE AFTERMATH PROGRAMMING ACCESSIBLE

Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Need to Make Emergency Information Regarding Hurricane Katrina Evacuation and Relief Efforts Accessible to Persons with Hearing and Vision Disabilities (DA No. 05-2438) (Sept. 9, 2005).

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2438A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2438A1.pdf

Text: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2438A1.txt

The FCC discusses complaints it has received that some televised emergency information has not been accessible to persons who are hearing or visually impaired. This public notice "remind[s] video programming distributors – including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services – of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and vision disabilities."

2. FCC TEMPORARILY WAVES HEARING AID COMPATABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRELESS CARRIERS

FCC Provides Temporary Relief from Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements for Wireless Carriers Offering Dual-Band GSM Handsets, Memorandum Opinion and Order (Dkt No 01-309) (Sept. 8, 2005).

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260920A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260920A1.pdf

Text: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260920A1.txt

This Order, in part, grants Cingular's request to waive hearing aid compatibility rules. Entities that wish to use this waiver must take specific steps that require, in part, notifying the FCC and providing "detailed information on…dual-band handsets that will be hearing aid-compatible."

3. VRS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR IN-PERSON OR VRI

Reminder That Video Relay Service (VRS) Provides Access to the Telephone System Only and Cannot Be Used As a Substitute for "In-Person" Interpreting Services or Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) (DA No. 05-2417) (Sept. 7, 2005).

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2417A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2417A1.pdf

Text: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2417A1.txt

This public notice, explaining that "VRS is to be used only when a person with a hearing disability, who absent such disability would make a voice telephone call, desires to make a call through the telephone system (or when, in the reverse situation, the hearing person desires to make such a call to a person with a hearing disability), emphasizes that "VRS may not be used as a substitute for an ‘in-person' interpreter or a VRI service."

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. ACCESS ALERTS: MAKING EMERGENCY INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) is collaborating with emergency alert providers, the telecommunications industry, public broadcasting, and consumers with disabilities on a three-year project "to research and disseminate approaches to make emergency warnings accessible." The Access Alert project, funded by the Technology Opportunities Program (Department of Commerce), is encouraging the development and "adoption of standardized methods, systems and services to identify, filter and present content in ways that are meaningful to people with disabilities leading up to, during and after emergencies."

NCAM anticipates that the greatest impact of the project will come from "the integration of project solutions into partners' commercial products."

For further information: http://ncam.wgbh.org/news/pr_20050915.html

See also: http://ntiaotiant2.ntia.doc.gov/top/docs/nar/pdf/256004026n.pdf

2. CRS REPORT CALLS FOR OVERHAUL OF EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Alice Lipowicz, CRS Report Calls for Overhaul of Emergency Alert System, Government Computer News, Sept. 15, 2005.

http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/mobile-wireless/37002-1.html

A new report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) finds, according to GCN, that the Emergency Alert System "is inadequate and woefully outdated." The present system dates back to 1951, when it was designed to respond to the threat of nuclear attack. Today, the system is in need of the capability "to send alerts over the Internet and [via]…e-mail, text messages, cell phones, BlackBerrys and pagers," for instance.

Other federal initiatives are underway by the National Weather Service and the Homeland Security Department to provide advanced warning systems. The CRS Report has not been made public yet.

3. NAD AND ATTORNEYS OUTTEN & GOLDEN FILE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MORGAN STANLEY

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) partnering with attorneys at Outten & Golden have filed a class action lawsuit against Morgan Stanley, in part alleging the company has "refused to accept a stock trade order from a deaf accountholder who called using a Telecommunications Relay Service." The action, filed pursuant to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, claims that Morgan Stanley's services as a place of public accommodation, discriminate against those who use TRS for telecommunications.

Full Story:

National Association of the Deaf, NAD and Law Firm of Outten and Golden File Class Action Lawsuit Against Morgan Stanley, Sept. 14, 2005.

http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=1041173

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. *1. ENHANCING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND TRANSITION OUTCOMES USING TECHNOLOGYU

To address a need for aligning transition goals and standards-based education for students with disabilities, in accord with the No Child Left Behind Act, the Nisonger Center at Ohio State University has developed a "standards-driven, computer-based curriculum." The curriculum emphasizes essential skills, becoming evermore reliant on information technology, including: (a) state-mandated levels of reading competency; (b) IT literacy for online research; and (c) career / transition planning for successful post-secondary outcomes.

Recommended practices include:

• Incorporating "information literacy instruction" into assignments and projects;
• Providing access to assistive technology and encouraging its use by students with and without disabilities;
• Integrating learning supports into computer-based instruction, and "critical-thinking, career decision-making, and transition planning skills into a technologically enhanced general curricula."

Full Source:

Margo Vreeburg Izzo, Alexa Murray, & Nancy O'Hanlon, Enhancing Academic Achievement and Transition Outcomes Using Technology, Information Brief, Sept. 2005, http://www.ncset.org/publications/info/NCSETInfoBrief_4.5.pdf.

PAST EVENTS

1. WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS: STATE OF THE SCIENCE,
September 15-16, 2005
Atlanta, GA.

This conference, hosted by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Workplace Accommodations, aimed to establish "a national dialogue on the current state and future directions of workplace accommodations." Attendees included more than 110 researchers, policy makers, product designers, practitioners, employers, and persons with disabilities who are interested in the improvement of workplace accommodations and accessibility. Thirty-three presentations included such topics as Accommodation Benefits (Peter Blanck, Burton Blatt Institute), Information Technology Accessibility (Susanne M. Bruyere, Employment & Disability Institute), Telecommuting as a Reasonable Accommodation (Shelley Kaplan, Southeast DBTAC), and Assessment of Workplace Product Accessibility, (Brad Fain, ITTATC).

For complete coverage of the speakers, sessions, and presentations: http://www.workrerc.org/sos

RESOURCES

1. NATIONAL EMERGENCY RESOURCE REGISTRY ADDS NEEDS OF DISABILITY COMMUNITY TO SEARCHABLE LIST

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR) online to help coordinate resources with those in need following Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to the initiative of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, a searchable list of available resources, listed by category, now includes (1) Durable Medical Products, (2) Hearing Assistive Technology, and (3) Communication Access/Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

For further information: http://www.jfanow.org/jfanow/index.php?mode=N&id=2533

Visit NERR: https://www.nerr.gov/

2. HURRICAN KATRINA EMERGENCY INFORMATION

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Communications Commission has created a website "to provide crucial emergency information for consumers, communications industries, and state and local governments in the areas affected by the hurricane."

Visit: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/katrina/

3. NEW ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES IN COPIERS

Canon copiers announced new features for their copiers in 2005 and 2006. The Remote Operator's Software Kit provides alternative access for persons operating imageRUNNER devices. System functions can be operated from a laptop or desktop personal computer. Functions include copy, print, fax, scan and send functions.

In early 2006, Canon will put out the new imageRUNNER with Voice Guidance Kit. This will enable users who are blind or visually impaired to hear audio confirmation while operating the machine. The voice type, volume and speed are adjustable based on the user's preference.

For more information: http://www.usa.canon.com/gmd