Fwd: National Deaf-Blind Equipment - Distribution: Accessibility. Comments are due 2/4/2011

FYI folks particularly you who have expressed an interest in usability
and accessibility for those who are identified as disabled. If you are
involved with user testing, for example, with such populations, you
may wish to comment, participate, or become become familiar with the
program and issues they are discussing/making decisions about.


NOTE: Comments and discussion need to go to the link posted here vs.
sent to me. I can do nothing with them and am not (yet?) on the
committee(s) involved.




> Subject: National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program: NPRM
> was released January 14, 2011.  Comments are due February 4, 2011
> and reply comments are due February 14, 2011.
>
> The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
> (CVAA) requires that the FCC establish a National Deaf-Blind
> Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) to make telecommunications
> service, Internet access service, and advanced communications,
> including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and
> information services, accessible by low income individuals who are
> deaf-blind. On January 14, 2011, the Commission released a Notice of
> Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement this deaf-blind equipment
> distribution program.  Comments on this NPRM are due February 4,
> 2011, and reply comments are due February 14, 2011.  This NPRM asks
> questions regarding how the Commission should set up such a program,
> consumer eligibility, covered equipment and related services,
> funding, oversight and reporting, logistics and division of
> responsibilities, and other considerations.  Members of the public
> are encouraged to provide their feedback in response to the many
> questions raised in this proceeding.
>
> The NPRM can be found at:
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0114/FCC-11-3A1.doc
>
> FCC Chairman Genachowski released the following statement on this
> NPRM:  The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
> Accessibility Act was enacted to ensure that people with
> disabilities have access to todays communications technologies and
> services.  It is fitting that we begin implementing this law with
> these proposals to bring the benefits of modern communications to
> people with low incomes who are both deaf and blind.  It is my hope
> that with access to Twenty-First Century communications services,
> these individuals will be able to participate more fully in the
> economic and civic life of our nation.
>
> The Chairmans statement can be found at:
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0114/FCC-11-3A2.doc
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