telecommunications

[Guest guest]

This legislation has been the work of blind advocates. I am sure many in

the DD population will benefit.

Cindi

[isvialumni] A Huge Step Forward for People with Disabilities:

Onthe 20th Anniversary of the

A Huge Step Forward for People with Disabilities: On the 20th Anniversary of

the ADA, the U.S. House is Expected to Pass H.R. 3101

Statement from Schroeder, VP, Programs & Policy, American Foundation

for the Blind

July, 26, 2010 (Washington, DC)-Today, as we commemorate the 20th

anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil

rights law that revolutionized life for those of us with disabilities, we

have even more reason to celebrate. This evening, the U.S. House of

Representatives is expected to pass H.R. 3101, the Twenty-first Century

Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

This measure updates our nation's communications laws to ensure that new

technologies are accessible to people with disabilities and gives

individuals with vision or hearing loss improved access to television

programming, smart phones, the Internet, menus on DVD players and cable TV,

and more. Specifically, if signed into law, H.R. 3101 will:

a.. Restore and expand requirements for video description of television

programs, in addition to requiring cable companies to make their program

guides and selection menus accessible to people with vision loss

b.. Mandate mobile phone companies to make web browsers, text messaging,

and e-mail on smart phones fully accessible

c.. Ensure people with vision loss have access to emergency broadcast

information

d.. Provide $10 million in funding each year for assistive technology for

deaf-blind individuals

We applaud the U.S. House for their leadership on this legislation, and we

are particularly thankful to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the original sponsor

and champion of H.R. 3101, in addition to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Rep.

Rick Boucher (D-Va), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.)

who played a key role in moving this bipartisan measure forward. Once passed

by the House, we will be looking to the Senate to take up H.R. 3101 and

ensure that this life-changing legislation is sent to the President's desk.

Twenty years ago today when the ADA was signed into law, no one could have

predicted the new technologies-from smart phones to the Internet-that now

shape our daily lives and work routines. It is time to make sure that the 25

million Americans with vision loss and the millions more with other

disabilities can fully participate in the digital era. Today marks a huge

step forward in making that a reality.

# # #

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that

expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include

broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and

tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting

independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them

and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to

house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than forty years that

Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit us

online at www.afb.org.

Media Contact:

na Montague-Devaud

AFB Communications

(212) 502-7615

amontague@...

Sincerely,

Skonie