Join us! Serotek Host's AFB Experts for Mobile Phone Accessibility Webinar

Thursday, September 2, 2010, 9:00pm Eastern

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is inviting the public to weigh in on the current experience in finding and using mobile phones that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

To promote a broad response from our community in building a clear public record of the challenges in mobile phone access that persist, Serotek, the Accessibility Anywhere people, are hosting an interactive webinar and podcast at www.SeroTalk.com on Thursday evening, September 2, beginning at 9:00pm Eastern.

Join SeroTalk hosts Mike Lauf and Joe Steinkamp who will welcome AFB's Paul Schroeder, Vice President, Programs and Policy, and Darren Burton, National Technology Associate, to discuss current access challenges, to help you best respond to the FCC's invitation to tell your story, and to take your questions.

Prior to 9:00pm Eastern on Thursday evening, September 2, visit www.SeroTalk.com, and follow the heading for Tech Chat, with the topic of FCC and Cell Phone Accessibility.

For further information, contact:

Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, AFB
(202) 469-6833
mrichert@afb.net

Great article on web access from Gizmodo

Yesterday, I had a really interesting conversation with a reporter from Gizmodo about web accessibility. He ended up writing a very clever, good article titled "Giz Explains: How Blind People See the Internet." It's one of the more comprehensive pieces we've seen on this topic. Please read it when you have a chance and add your thoughts.

A Hot Summer for Technology Policy: Check out the latest AccessWorld®

I wanted to share with you an article we published this month in AccessWorld. It includes an update on the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (which we hope will be completed when Congress comes back in September), new activity on Section 508, the FCC notice on cell phone accessibility for people with vision loss, and DOJ notices on web access and movie theater access with captions and description. Obviously, as you know, AFB has been heavily involved in all of these issues and is thrilled to see such great momentum.

Good News on the 20th Anniversary of ADA! The U.S. House is Expected to Pass H.R. 3101

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. Read the full statement.

AFB Applauds Bipartisan Leadership on H.R. 3101, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

Yesterday, I was excited to be present as the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved the significant bill known as H.R. 3101. This legislation, also known as the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, modernizes communications laws in the U.S. by mandating that new technologies are accessible to people living with disabilities. Yesterday’s approval is also significant given that it falls a week before the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

AFB is grateful for the leadership of Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the original cosponsor of this bill, and we were pleased to celebrate H.R. 3101 with him. Here's a photo from our visit to his office, which shows, from left to right, Eric Bridges, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs at American Council of the Blind, me, Rep. Markey, and Mark Richert, AFB's Director of Public Policy.

Read our full statement and what it will do for the more than 25 million Americans with vision loss.