Another Win for Accessibility and People with Disabilities

posted on Oct 11 by Sherri in the Advocacy, Disability Law, Disability News, Fun, Interesting Links, Technology category

On Friday, October 8, 2010, President Barack Obama signed bill S. 3304 into law, which Mr. Obama stated will “set new standards, so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on.” The White House signing ceremony was attended by the co-sponsors of the bill and Stevie Wonder. After the bill was signed, the Marine Band pianist launched into Wonder’s 1973 hit, “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing.”

Known as the Twenty-First (21st) Century Communication and Video Accessibility Act, the measure requires smartphones, TV programs, cable program guides and all of the various mobile devices to be accessible to Americans with vision or hearing loss. In addition, $10 million per year will be allocated from the Interstate Relay Service Fund for equipment used by individuals who are deaf-blind. The law will also make sure that emergency information is accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Paul Schroeder, vice president of the American Foundation for the Blind said in a statement to Bloomberg.com, “This law opens the door to the digital age for the 25 million of us with vision loss, who have been largely shut out due to inaccessible design.”

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski touts the law as, “the most significant disability law in two decades.” He went on to add that the Twenty-First Century Communication and Video Act “will ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind and can share fully in the economic and social benefits of broadband. The law will enable people with disabilities to participate in our 21st century economy.”

The S3304 legislation was originally introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR) on May 4, 2010 and had bipartisan co-sponsorship. The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent on August 5, 2010 and the House passed the bill on September 29, 2010.

For more information read What S.3304 Does For Us from the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology.