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CLINTON.TXT
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1993-06-03
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CCD Task Force on Communications Access/Telecommunications
Transition Document
The ability to receive, manipulate and distribute
information is essential for the independence and productivity of
individuals in this society. Likewise, the ability to express
oneself and be understood by others is essential. The revolution
in communications technology and personal computers has made
information available to more people, more rapidly and in more
formats than ever before. A national policy relating to
communications should foster the further development of this
"information revolution" to ensure the distribution of
information in multiple formats and media allowing an even
greater number of individuals to benefit. Such policies should
also enable individuals with disabilities to communicate in their
preferred method.
Communications Policy Considerations
Modifications and improvements are needed in the
telecommunications and information distribution infrastructure
and the needs of people with disabilities must be addressed as
part of this necessary legislative/regulatory effort. The
following guidelines are offered to assist in the development of
communications policy.
Principles/Policy Guidelines Regarding Disability
1. Access to telecommunications and other forms of mass
communications must be provided for individuals with
disabilities.
2. Access needs for persons with disabilities are broad. A
thorough approach to designing communications systems should
include consideration of motor impairments, sensory
impairments of sight and hearing, cognitive impairments and
speech impairments.
3. Access to information and communications must continue to be
affordable, while including accessibility for people with
disabilities.
4. In incorporating accessibility for people with a wide
variety of disabilities, the communications infrastructure
should also become more "user friendly" for all users.
5. A definition of "communications access" should be
incorporated into national policy as follows:
(A) COMMUNICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY - all expressive and
receptive communications shall be accessible to persons
with disabilities.
b. Society must recognize that every individual is capable
of communicating and, knows best how to convey his or her
thoughts to others.
6. In order to carry out this mandate:
(1) individuals shall be afforded the necessary
auxiliary aids and services to effectively communicate
with others;
(2) in determining what type of auxiliary aid or
service is necessary, an entity shall give primary
consideration to the request of the individual with a
disability;
(3) establishment of a communications environment in
which persons with motor, cognitive, hearing, vision or
speech disabilities can effectively express,
understand, receive and transmit information using
communications networks and systems including public
alert, public address and telecommunication systems and
networks.
Short Range National Goals
1. The FCC has done little to regulate telecommunication
services for persons with disabilities as mandated by the
Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement and the
Telecommunications for the Disabled Acts. The FCC should address
the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities in its policy-
making and regulatory capacity, particularly with regard to the
mandates found in the above legislation and in P.L. 101-336, The
Americans with Disabilities Act (Title III-Public Accommodations
and Title IV-Telecommunications)
(a) Appointment of Federal Communications Commissioner(s)
with a disability and/or well-versed in disability
access issues is a necessary and logical step to take
with regard to the needs of the 43 million Americans
with disabilities.
2. Require all new phones purchased (not just those designated
as "essential") to be hearing aid compatible.
3. Include a requirement for accessibility to new equipment and
network services in any legislation amending the capability of
regional bell operating companies to manufacture
telecommunications equipment or provide information services.
Long Range National Goals
1. Establishment as a national priority a telecommunications
policy that states all benefits of the technological
revolution (including emerging interactivities of existing
technologies) will be made available to all individuals with
disabilities.
(A) Encourage of R&D initiatives across telecommunications
industries (television, telephone, cable, microwave,
cellular, PCS, satellite, information services, etc.)
to integrate the technology and accessibility needs of
individuals with sensory impairments will all
specialized equipment offerings.
(b) Alleviation of the costs of "communication aids"
designed to substantially reduce or eliminate sensory
disabilities (deafness, hearing impaired; blindness,
visual impairment, inability to communicate vocally)
through total technological integration into the
infrastructure.
2. Enactment of legislation at the state level that protects
the interests of individuals with disabilities regarding
equal access to vital telecommunications services, and which
encourages the states to take a more active role in ensuring
telecommunications access.
(A) Elimination of the present inconsistencies among states
in the provision, cost, availability and repair of
specialized telephone equipment.
(B) Encouragement to state utility commissions to require
local carriers to provide Specialized Customer Premises
Equipment (SCPE) and Value-Added Services (VAS) or
"enhanced services" at affordable rates with a variety
of finance options, e.g., tax credits or deductions,
loan guarantee programs or general tariffs.
(i) SCPE is defined as any equipment needed by persons
with disabilities to access a communication
network without assistance, or needed by
nondisabled for the purpose of communication with
persons with hearing, speech, vision or mobility-
related disabilities.
(ii) VAS is defined as any offering over the
telecommunications network which is more than a
basic transmission service. The term enhanced
service shall refer to services, offered over
common carrier transmission facilities, which
employ computer processing applications that act
on the format, content, code, protocol or similar
aspects of thee subscriber's transmitted
information; provide the subscriber additional,
different or restructured information; or involve
subscriber interaction with stored information.
Explanation of Communications Accommodations for People with
Disabilities
Accommodations in communications for people with disabilities are
often practice in content or "common sense." For example,
taking adequate time to communicate with a person who has
impaired speech or who is using an assistive communication device
is an accommodation. Likewise, speaking and responding directly
to people with disabilities, rather than their companions, is
another.
Assistive devices, equipment or services may also be appropriate
accommodations for an individual with a disabilities wishing to
express or receive communications. Such devices include text
telephones for people who are deaf or braille text telephones for
people who are deaf-blind; remote control switches for use of
computers and office equipment by individuals with motor
impairments; magnification lenses and systems; adjustable
furniture; adaptive computer software and hardware enabling
individuals with visual, motor, manual or other disabilities to
independently use computers and other equipment; augmentative
communication devices; computer files/data transmissions in
commonly used codes such as ASCII; voice recognition systems;
alternative computer data input systems such as modified
keyboards or systems which are controlled by puffing, sipping
head/eye movements etc.
Examples of services as accommodations include, personal readers
for individuals unable to use standard print, sign language
interpreters and personal assistants.