September 1, 2004

In This Issue:

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Teleconference Workshops for Educators to Make IT and Teaching Methods Accessible
2. IDEAS 2004 / "Connecting People Through Technology"
3. Homeland Security Conference on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC Denies Petition for Waiver of Closed Captioning Requirements
2. FCC Grants Clarity Request for Waiver of Volume Control Reset
3. National Video Relay Service Coalition Appeals Interim VRS Reimbursement Rate
4. FCC Consumer Advisory Committee Meeting, November 19, 2004

FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. Ramada.com and Priceline.com Settlements to Provide Accessible Websites
2. 2004-2005 National Scholar Award for AT Development
3. Hewlett Packard Seeks Product Testers
4. Position Opening-Training Director for the Northeast ADA & IT Center
5. Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities "Tech Act Sign On" Letter

ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. Website Becomes Northwest Airlines' Only Means of Fee-Free Ticket Purchase

PAST EVENTS

1. U.S. Dept. of Commerce Department holds Assistive Technology Exhibit and Policy Forum to commemorate 14th Anniversary of the ADA
2. 2004 GSA/FTS Network Services Conference, "Tune Into Technology", Nashville, TN, August 16-19, 2004

RESOURCES

1. Accessible Electronic Voting Toolkit from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
2. Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership Launches New Website

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. TELECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS TO MAKE IT AND TEACHING METHODS ACCESSIBLE

The Mid-Atlantic Consortium on Accessible Information Technology in Education is sponsoring three workshops designed for K-12 and Higher Education officials. The "Universal Design for Learning: Effective Teaching and Learning Methods for Students of All Learning Abilities" teleconferences will be held September 28, October 5, and October 12 at 1:00-3:00 PM (EST).

Participation is free, though, registration is required and limited.

Session 1 (September 28):
Universal Design for Learning (UDL), including theory and implementation, presented by Skip Stahl, Co-Director of the Universal Learning Center, CAST.

Session 2 (October 5):
Text access, barriers that exist for students who cannot access or process traditional print, and an overview of the National File Format (NFF), presented by Skip Stahl.

Session 3 (October 12):
Panel of IT, education, and assistive technology experts fielding questions regarding accessibility and students with disabilities.

For more information, contact

The Maryland Technology Assistance Program
2301 Argonne Drive, Rm. T-17
Baltimore, MD 21218
Fax: 410-554-9237
Email: editor@mdtap.org

2. IDEAS 2004 / "CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY"

The 2004 Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase, Nov. 2-3, 2004 "is a two-day educational conference and exhibition focusing on needs of the government community regarding barrier-free information technology, laws and regulations affecting accessibility."

Free, though limited, registration:
http://www.epsilonregistration.com/er/Registration/IDEAS2004RegForm.htm

Sessions Details:
http://www.ideas508.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=custom.att_si_theater

Exhibit Floor Details:
http://www.expocadvr.com/shows/fose/04ideas.html

3. CONFERENCE ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: ARLINGTON, VA. SEPT. 22-24, 2004.

This conference is a cooperative endeavor of the National Capital Region, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the National Organization on Disability.

The conference will address numerous issues facing people with disabilities in an emergency situation. Among the agenda items of interest:

"Accessibility and Alert Systems: Opportunities and Challenges in Serving People with Sensory Disabilities"
This session will outline accessibility issues that must be addressed within the design of wired, wireless, DTV- and IP-based delivery systems and products in order to fully serve people with disabilities.

For more information regarding workshop topics, registration details, and official exhibitors:
http://www.nataliepshear.com/events/nod/index.cfm


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FCC TELECOMMUNICATIONS/REGULATIONS

1. FCC DENIES PETITION FOR WAIVER OF CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS BY LEWIS MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

FCC Denies Petition for Waiver of Closed Captioning Requirements by Lewis Memorial Baptist Church

FCC Memorandum Opinion & Order. (CSR 6283) (DA No. 04-2514) (Aug. 12, 2004).

The Lewis Memorial Baptist Church sought an exemption from Closed Captioning requirements on the basis of alleging the expense to be an undue burden. Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. and the National Association of the Deaf filed individual oppositions to the waiver request. Lewis Memorial Baptist Church failed to show an undue burden and the FCC denied the request.

Read the Memorandum:

Word Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-2514A1.doc
PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-2514A1.pdf

2. FCC GRANTS CLARITY REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF VOLUME CONTROL RESET

In the Matter of Clarity, A Division of Plantronics, Inc. Request for Waiver of Volume Control Reset, 47 C.F.R. Section 68.317(f) (Aug. 10, 2004).

Clarity sought approval for its telephone device, Model C600, to include "a volume control override switch so that persons with hearing disabilities can use the telephone without having to turn the volume back up each time they use the telephone." This feature would otherwise conflict with the requirement of § 68.317(f) that telephones designed for persons with hearing impairments "must reset to a volume no greater than 18 dB once the telephone is returned to an on-hook position."

The FCC granted the waiver request, subject to five conditions:

"(1) the volume reset override switch shall be labeled as such and located on the telephone in such a way as to not be accessible to accidental engagement;

(2) a bright indicator light shall be prominently displayed on the front of the telephone and shall light up when the override is engaged and the telephone is placed in an off-hook condition;

(3) next to the light shall be a warning that the amplification is at a high level;

(4) a caution on the use of the volume reset override switch shall be included in the users' manual; and

(5) the telephone includes a warning printed in Braille that can be securely attached to the back of the handset, or, if the telephone has only a headset, above the dial buttons, to indicate that a high volume setting may be engaged."

Read the Decision:

Word Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-2493A1.doc

PDF Version: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-2493A1.pdf

3. NATIONAL VIDEO RELAY SERVICE COALITION APPEALS INTERIM VRS REIMBERSEMENT RATE

FCC, Application for Review of the National Video Relay Service Coalition (CC Docket No. 98-67) (July 20, 2004).
http://www.aapd-dc.org/policies/downloads/NVRS%20app.pdf

The National Video Relay Service Coalition (NVSRC), "concerned that the reduced interim VRS reimbursement rate will result in further deterioration in the availability and quality of VRS"-an essential telecommunications service to the hearing impaired community-is appealing the Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau's June 30, 2004 decision. The NVRSC 'Application for Review' states that "the Bureau failed to properly consider the effect of the rate reduction on the deaf and hard of hearing communities."

4. FCC CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2004

The next meeting of the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC), established to involve consumers in the process of designing recommendations to the FCC, is set for November 19, 2004 in Washington, DC. The public is invited to participate, watch, and/or listen.

For more information:

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

Email: cac@fcc.gov

FCC Audio/Video Events: http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/

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FOR YOUR ACTION/INFORMATION

1. RAMADA.COM AND PRICELINE.COM SETTLEMENTS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES

"Spitzer Agreement to Make Web Sites Accessible to the Blind and Visually Impaired" (Aug. 19, 2004), Press Release, Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer,

The Attorney General of the State of New York, announced settlement agreements with Ramada.com and Priceline.com to implement Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) accessibility standards "that will permit users of assistive technology, such as screen reader software, to more easily navigate these web sites."

Read the Press Release:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/aug/aug19a_04.html

To view the full text of the settlements, access:
Ramada: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/aug/aug19a_04_attach1.pdf
Priceline: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/aug/aug19a_04_attach2.pdf

2. 2004-2005 NATIONAL SCHOLAR AWARD FOR AT DEVELOPMENT

NISH, a non profit organization headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, which assists individuals with disabilities to become employed, has established a National Scholar Award Program. The program seeks "to encourage students to develop assistive technology specific to the workplace for individuals with disabilities," says Therese Stein of NISH. First place in the 2004-2005 competition will be awarded $10,000 and a matching grant to the sponsoring organization.

For more information, contact

Therese Stein, Senior Workforce Development Specialist
Government Affairs/Workforce Development Department
NISH
(571) 226-4628

3. HEWLETT PACKARD SEEKS PRODUCT TESTERS

Hewlett Packard is seeking individuals to test their printing and imaging products. For more information, visit: http://www.hpproducttest.com

4. POSITION OPENING-TRAINING DIRECTOR FOR THE NORTHEASTADA & IT CENTER

(Reprinted in full from: northeastada-mailbox@cornell.edu)

This is a notice of a position opening for an ADA Training Director for the Northeast ADA and IT Center, housed at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. This five-year, federally-funded project provides training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible information technology to businesses, educational entities, employers, unions, advocacy organizations, state and local governments and other constituencies throughout Federal Region II; New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The qualifications for the position require extensive knowledge of all Titles of the ADA with strong teaching and public speaking skills, as well as project administration skills. Advanced degree in related field such as business, industrial and labor relations, human resource management, rehabilitation counseling or related human service degree, and/or public administration is required.

For more information:

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/northeastada/careers.html or http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/careers.cfm

5. CONSORTIUM FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES "TECH ACT SIGN ON" LETTER

Letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (Aug. 6, 2004).
http://www.aapd-dc.org/policies/techact.html

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), which is comprised of numerous disability rights advocacy organizations, has drafted a sample letter for constituents to use or modify, to encourage members of the U.S. Senate to reach compromise with the U.S. House of Representatives on the reauthorization of the Tech Act. Funding for the Tech Act will expire later this year, unless it is reauthorized.

The CCD letter recommends that the Senate-House compromise on four issues in an effort to reauthorize funding for the Tech Act: (i) Assuring maintenance of effort with the current level of service, (ii) Authorizing sufficient resources to provide services, (iii) Providing for sufficient accountability of project activities, and (iv) Equality of services for all people with disabilities. For more information on the CCD and its member organizations, visit:
http://www.c-c-d.org/

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ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

1. FEE-FREE TICKET PURCHASES FOR NORTHWEST AIRLINES ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE

Micheline Maynard, N.Y. Times, "Airline to Ask Travelers for $10 for Showing Up," Aug. 25, 2004, at C1 (alternately published under title, "Will This Idea Fly? Charge Some Travelers $10 for Showing Up")

[ITTATC seeks to provide information to our readers on the ever-growing importance of accessible E&IT. Here is an example of the importance of accessible E&IT for travelers, as in-person services become more costly and less available.]

Northwest Airlines has announced that it will "charge a $10 fee for issuing a ticket at its airport check-in desks. . . . [and] $5 . . . on every ticket purchased over the phone from its reservation lines." Consequently, the only remaining means of purchasing a ticket fee-free is via Northwest's reservation website.

Though the airline did not believe the change would inconvenience customers, the policy may pose equal access problems to individuals with disabilities who require the use of AT for Internet navigation.
To see the full text of the article, access: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/25/business/25air.html?pagewanted=all


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PAST EVENTS

1. U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE DEPARTMENT HOLDS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXHIBIT AND POLICY FORUM

On July 27, 2004, the U.S. Department of Commerce held an Assistive Technology Exhibit and Policy Forum in commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Held at the main Dept. of Commerce building, the event featured speakers from the White House Office of Domestic Policy, as well as panelists from industry, government and the nonprofit sector. Speakers came from the General Services Administration, the Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Veterans Administration, as well as General Motors, Cingular Wireless, Hewlett Packard, and the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, among others. The Department also hosted an exhibit hall, where representatives from over 40 companies and organizations demonstrated their assistive technology. ITTATC had a booth at the event, displaying ITTATC training materials and resources.

To see pictures of some of the panelists at the policy forum, access:
http://www.gcn.com/23_21/community/26807-1.html

2. 2002 GSA/FTS NETWORK SERVICES CONFERENCE, "TUNE INTO TECHNOLOGY"

Nashville, TN
August 16-19, 2004

The General Services Administration Federal Technology Service (GSA/FTS) held a conference at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, from August 16-19, 2004. The three-day conference focused on information security, managed network services and new technology offerings. CEU credits could be earned at most track and training sessions.

ITTATC co-sponsored a session, "Information Technology Accessibility" with the U.S. Access Board and the General Services Administration Federal Technology Service, during the conference.

For more information on this largest Federal Community Technology Event, access: http://www.askusa.com/nsc/Homepage.htm.


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RESOURCES

1. ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONIC VOTING TOOLKIT FROM THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Best Practices Toolkit (July 30, 2004).

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), has published a comprehensive resource to assist local governments implement effective, secure, and accessible electronic voting systems for the coming November elections. The Toolkit presents recommendations for Voter Outreach (Part I. B.) that include 'Five Considerations for Accommodating Voters with Disabilities,' and Checklists for HAVA Implementation (VII. E.) that include 'Disability Access.'

The toolkit further discusses in Part I.A: (i) the importance of "sensitivity training for working with voters with disabilities," (ii) the need to locate and use accessible polling places, (iii) the availability of "Election Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities" Grants, (iv) making the election process accountable and transparent, in part, by documenting "the experiences of users with disabilities;" (v) providing "extensive hands-on training for poll workers. . . . on the appropriate approach in assisting voters, who will not be familiar with the equipment, particularly those voters with disabilities;" and, in Part V, considerations for making Direct Recording Equipment voting systems accessible.

For the Complete Toolkit:

HTML Version: http://www.eac.gov/bp/index1.asp
WORD Version: http://www.eac.gov/bp/docs/BestPracticesToolKit.doc

For more information, see the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's

"Best Practices in Administration, Management and Security in Voting Systems and Provisional Voting: A Tool Kit for Election Administrators and Stakeholders: Issue One"
http://www.eac.gov/bp/index.asp?format=none

2. Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership Launches New Website

The Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership (MATP Center) has announced the launch of a newly designed website.

Visit: http://www.matp.org