Technology

Important News Regarding Access to Printed Information

Recent announcements signal growing interest in access to print information, especially books. Last week, Intel joined the club of companies manufacturing reading machines for the blind with its Intel Reader, $1499 USD. The hand-held device competes with products such as the knfbReader which operates on a conventional Nokia cell phone. More recently, two universities announced they would not use Amazon's Kindle Reader DX, targeted at educational users, because it is not accessible to people with vision loss.

Intel's first foray into the blindness/low vision arena has been a rather bumpy ride. Influential bloggers including Serotek's Mike Calvo have hammered Intel for charging nearly $1500 USD for a hardware package which a mainstream article from Engadget suggests could be produced for about $500 USD. Recognizing that the Intel device is a first generation product, it does not seem to have as many features as the knfbReader. Even so, it is great to see a company with the talent and treasure of Intel enter into this space.

The University of Wisconsin and Syracuse University have both adopted policies rejecting the Kindle, so long as it remains inaccessible to the blind. AFB applauds these universities for their willingness to publicly support equal access to information by all students and staff, including those who are blind and visually impaired. We call on all other colleges and universities to adopt similar policies.

And, we call on Amazon, and other developers of ebook readers, to make these products accessible for people with vision loss. Access to intellectual and cultural information is integral to a full and rich life.

The advent of technology such as the iPhone and iPod, with built in accessibility has changed the expectations for access to mainstream technology. Perhaps the Kindle and the Intel Reader can add another important chapter to these exciting developments.

FCC Workshop on Broadband Access for People with Disabilities

While many of us take Internet access for granted, far too many people with disabilities are not able to take advantage of this essential communications and information vehicle. To really take advantage of the information and communications potential of the Internet, you've got to have broadband. This means a high-capacity connection to the Internet that is always on. Although broadband options are available in most parts of the country, the expense often puts these networks out of reach.

On October 20, I will be participating in a forum hosted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to explore broadband accessibility for people with disabilities. This daylong information meeting is part of the FCC's work to develop a National Broadband Plan. Participants, representing industry, the disability community, government and other key constituents, will be discussing accessibility and affordability barriers faced by people with disabilities, opportunities made possible by broadband and policy recommendations to spur broadband usage.

I plan to talk about the importance of access to information for people with vision loss and the absolute necessity to ensure that we have access to broadband to deliver information and services that we need. I will suggest some changes in policy to help make broadband more affordable for people with disabilities. I'll also make sure that our government understands the need to ensure that the equipment we use to access broadband services is accessible. That's why we need to have Congress enact legislation like the Twenty-first Century Communications and video Accessibility Act.

I hope you can take some time to listen to the webcast or follow the discussion. Online participants can visit http://www.broadband.gov/ws_accessibility_disabilities.html to register (instructions for online participants are found at the bottom of the page).

Simultaneous with the webcast, the meeting will be available through Accessible Event, a service that works with your web browser to make presentations accessible to people with disabilities. You can listen to the audio and use a screen reader to read displayed documents. You can also watch the video with open captioning. Accessible Event is available at http://accessibleevent.com. The web page prompts for an Event Code, which is 005202376. To learn about the features of Accessible Event, consult its User's Guide at http://accessibleevent.com/doc/user_guide/.

Updates about the Federal Communications Commission's development of the National Broadband can be found at http://blog.broadband.com and at http://www.broadband.gov/news.html. You can also follow the FCC on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FCC.

AccessWorld Editor's Page: The Apple Model

The latest issue of AccessWorld went live this week, and the following musings on Apple and the implications for accessibility appear in the Editor's page. I hope it gives you some food for thought, especially about the kinds of topics you'd like to see us cover in future issues.

Apple has been the darling of the technology world for years, but only recently has it risen from the scourge of people with vision loss. And, wow, it has risen like a rocket!

In the past few years, Apple has revolutionized our thinking about technology accessibility. People with vision loss have relied on increasingly robust assistive technology developers to build work-arounds and add-ons to allow us to use new hardware and software, albeit with added cost to the consumer. With the launch of Voiceover and Zoom for the Mac OS, followed by the inclusion of Voiceover in the iPod and iPhone, Apple has charted another course.

Let's call this the Apple model: robust access built in and improved in conjunction with the regular product release cycle. It marks the end of what some call the "blindness tax" for access, and a potential boon for many in the developing world as well who cannot afford the cost of assistive technology. However, there are consequences, illustrated by the recent access problems resulting from changes made by Apple to the iTunes store. This model also means a shift away from the highly specialized AT model which provides dependable products from developers who work closely with our community and often share our disability.

Is this ultimately what we want? Do we expect Microsoft, RIM (of Blackberry fame), Nokia, etc. to add full accessibility into their products? Apple's foray into built-in accessibility has been greeted with enthusiasm, although not uncritical. I remember the consternation surrounding the short-lived rumor in the 1990s that Microsoft might purchase or license the screenreader JAWS, and the concern raised about the functionality it would put into a Windows voicing app called Narrator.

Should we expect mainstream companies to adopt the Apple model and build robust accessibility into their products? I invite you to join in on this discussion. To read the full letter, and the rest of the September issue, visit AccessWorld now.

News About the New iPhone 3G S

This week, Apple, Inc. announced accessibility enhancements for the iPhone. According to Apple, the "iPhone 3G S provides new accessibility features including VoiceOver, a screen reader that speaks what appears on the iPhone 3G S display, enabling visually impaired users to make calls, read email, browse web pages, play music and run applications. The new universal Zoom function magnifies the entire screen, and the White on Black feature reverses the colors on screen to provide higher contrast for people with low vision. iPhone 3G S also supports Mono Audio which combines left and right audio channels so that they can be heard in both earbuds for those with hearing loss in one ear."

We will be reviewing the features and we'll report what we find out here and in AccessWorld®.

2, 4, 6, 8 ... Authors Guild Discriminates!

Yesterday afternoon about 200 people, including a number of AFB staff members, attended the Reading Rights Coalition (RRC) protest at the Authors Guild in New York City. The protest was part of the campaign to obtain access for the blind and others with print disabilities to e-books available for Amazon's new Kindle 2 e-book reader. I was glad to play a part in this tremendous event that brought blindness groups together with others in the disability community. I reminded the crowd that we cannot allow authors and publishers to decide what people with disabilities are permitted to read. The event was a huge success!

For those of you who weren't able to make the protest, we still need your help. The RRC has also organized a petition as part of the campaign. You can read and sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-To-Read.

Please note: If you are using screen access technology, the first three fields on the form to sign the petition may not be announced. They are, in order: (1) a drop-down menu from which to select your prefix (Mr., Mrs., etc.); (2) an edit field for your first name; and (3) an edit field for your last name. The rest of the fields should announce themselves as you tab to them.

I was number 2,111 on the petition. Here's what I wrote:

"I am unable to independently read print books without using technology to convert the print because I am blind. I love to read, sometimes relying on braille, often using technology to read text-to-speech. The notion that the world of ideas, of thought, of history, in short the world of books, could be taken away from people like me by short-sighted authors and publishers is abhorrent. We must assert our absolute right to read."

Please be sure to add your voice to the campaign!

Access on Hold: New AFB Video Highlights Accessibility Problems with Cell Phones

We've talked a lot about cell phone accessibility in the past and while some improvements to the accessibility of phones have been made recently, the majority of cell phones still do not offer such obvious access features as talking menus and magnification options, and those that do are usually the more costly phones. AFB has released a new video illustrating the challenges people with vision loss face when trying to purchase a usable and affordable cell phone. Our hope is that both the leaders in the wireless industry and the Obama administration and the new leadership at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will take immediate action to ensure that cell phones and phone services are made accessible for people with disabilities, as required by Section 255 of the Communications Act. This video features our own expert Darren Burton at AFB TECH in Huntington WV and his colleague Tara Annis. You can view the embedded version of the video below or visit the cell phone section of our web site for an accessible version.

More News on the Kindle 2

For those who have been following the Kindle 2 text-to-speech controversy, we have some good news. This week Amazon announced that it is working on making the Kindle more usable by adding text-to-speech to the navigation system. An accessible Kindle would mean easy, affordable access to the latest books and the option to read the newspaper on the go.

In the midst of this positive news from Amazon, publishers and the Authors Guild are continuing their efforts to turn off text-to-speech capability for their books—arguing that the text-to-speech function violates copyright laws by enabling people to listen to books using automated speech without paying anyone for audio rights.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has taken the lead on urging publishers to stop this harmful endeavor. NFB, in conjunction with AFB and a number of other disability rights organizations, sent a letter to publishers this week outlining the many reasons why text-to-speech is an important accessibility feature for many of us, including people with vision loss, stroke victims, people with dyslexia, returning veterans with neurological impairments creating processing issues, and people who speak English as a second language.

We will continue to update you as we learn more.

Great News from Apple!

Just one week after we presented an Access Award to Apple for making accessibility improvements to the latest versions of the iPod Nano and the iTunes software, and for installing the VoiceOver screen reading software into all Apple computers, we got some more great news from Apple on the accessibility front. Yesterday, Apple announced the launch of the newest iPod shuffle…and it talks!! The new shuffle comes with the VoiceOver software installed—which tells you what song is playing, the artist, and even the names of your playlists. This new feature is great for ALL music lovers and I hope that Apple continues to include these types of features in all of their products. Keep up the great work, Apple!

Kindle sparks a flame war, but fails to light the fire for accessibility

Everyone's talking about Amazon's sleek new e-book reader—the Kindle 2—that started shipping earlier this week. The Kindle 2 allows users to download everything from books to blogs to newspapers, and includes text-to-speech capability. We were excited to hear that Amazon was taking this accessibility step, and have been eager to get our hands on one ever since. Today, we finally did and we're sad to report that it's not as usable as we had hoped.

While the Kindle offers text-to-speech options, it doesn't include talking menus or fully accessible controls, which makes it impossible for people with vision loss to use independently. The good news is that it's an easy fix for Amazon since the Kindle 2 is already voice enabled. AFB, and other blindness organizations, are urging Amazon to address this immediately. With baby boomers aging and the number of people experiencing vision loss expected to increase significantly, more and more people will need technology like the Kindle to have talking menus and full speech capability. You can support this cause by signing the following petition asking Amazon to add voice prompts to the Kindle 2.

If you've been following the Kindle news, you've probably noticed another debate brewing over its text-to-speech capability. This week, Roy Blount Jr., the president of the Authors Guild, published an op-ed in the New York Times arguing that Amazon is violating copyright laws by enabling people to listen to books using automated speech without paying anyone for audio rights. People with vision loss have been accessing text through screen readers since assistive technology was first created, and no one has ever told us that we're violating copyright laws. In addition, the Kindle's synthesized voice in no way competes with audio books that are beautifully narrated with all the expression and dramatic capacity of the human voice and personality.

Amazon has produced a successful electronic book reader. The text-to-speech function brings it tantalizingly close to something that blind consumers would yearn to purchase and that finally gives them the opportunity to enjoy reasonably priced, conveniently available books of all sorts. We call upon Amazon to take the final step and make this a product for everyone. And we urge authors and publishers to embrace the opportunities made possible for expanding the marketplace for their books and ideas, through print (including large print), synthetic speech, and recorded audio.

Attention, Music Lovers!

After hearing the great news that Apple addressed the accessibility of its products, I spent some time with the new iPod Nano 4th generation and iTunes 8.0 to check out what they have done. Overall, they have definitely made some improvements to both products and I really hope they continue to keep accessibility in mind. Check out my full report in the January edition of AFB's AccessWorld®.

Technology: TV Raman Style

Over the weekend, the NY Times profiled TV Raman, a computer scientist and engineer at Google who has done some great work in the technology/accessibility field. Raman is no stranger to AFB—we've worked with him on a number of accessibility and technology related projects and he also joined us for the 2007 Access Awards ceremony in Dallas, where he accepted an Access Award on behalf of Google. It's great that the general public can now learn about this technology genius and his many contributions to tools we take for granted, especially web-related technologies. I was thrilled to be able to talk to the reporter of this article, Miguel Helft, not only about our friend Raman and the work he's done, but also about the important role technology plays in the lives of those who are visually impaired.

What I liked most about this article is that it points out that accessible design helps everyone use technology more easily—not just people who are blind or visually impaired. Think of driving, for example. It would be a lot safer to use a phone or device on the road without looking at the screen. Accessible web design also makes it easier for people to surf the net on PDAs. And, as we've said before, with baby boomers beginning to experience age-related vision loss, more and more people are going to need technology that's easily usable for people with vision loss. That will include things like cell phones, computers, web sites, POS machines, etc. It's important for businesses, consumers, and web developers alike to understand that this is not only the right thing to do, it's a smart business decision.

Check out this great article and be sure to let me know what you think!

Small LCD Displays = One Big Problem

Guest Blogger, Mark Uslan, Director, AFB TECH

Have you ever had difficulty reading the screen on an LCD display? Do you think the letters on these screens are too small, or the screens too dimly lit? If so, we need to hear from you! These screens are seen everywhere in today's society. Microwave ovens, blood glucose meters, cell phones, office phones, copiers and fax machines, calculators, washers and dryers, blood pressure meters, digital audio players, point of sale devices, self-service kiosks, and digital cameras—these are just a few examples of today's consumer electronics that use small LCD screens to display information. For many of the 21.2 million people who report difficulty seeing even with their glasses or contact lenses, these small displays need to be highly visible and yet, in most circumstances, the displays are not. They are often dimly lit with small size letters and numbers, which makes it extremely difficult to read the critical information on the screen. Here at our AFB TECH office in Huntington, WV, we understand that this is a serious and widespread problem and have sought to figure out what can be done to fix it.

My colleague Lee Huffman wrote a blog post back in August about the work AFB TECH has done thus far to improve LCD screens. You can also read about our work by visiting Dr. Jack Smith's blog about the project. Now that we have a better understanding of how different aspects of vision loss affect the readability of these displays, we have begun the second phase of the project and have partnered with the Atlanta VA Medical Center in a clinical study of persons with macular diseases. We are still in the beginning stages of this process but as we progress and find out more, we will be sure to update the AFB TECH web site where currently, you can find our work on small display standards, including a white paper on the subject.

Also, I encourage you to check out a recent article that deals with the small LCD display issue and was posted on the IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center's web site. I'm thrilled to see that a well-known tech company like IBM is bringing attention to this important issue. Our hope is that with more awareness, feedback from consumers, and through our work at AFB TECH, we will be able to fix this problem and make LCD screens readable by all consumers.

This News is Music to My Ears…

Guest Blogger, Darren Burton, National Program Associate, AFB TECH

For all the music lovers out there with vision loss (and I know there are a lot of us), we have really big news. Apple has just announced major accessibility changes to iTunes and iPods!

Apple's iPod and iTunes have been perhaps the most popular and revolutionary products in the music and technology fields over the past decade, but up until now significant accessibility barriers have kept many people with vision loss from enjoying them. But all of that is about to change with Apple's announcement of some exciting new accessibility advancements for their iTunes and iPod Nano products, and their newly launched accessibility page at www.apple.com/accessibility that contains info on Apple's products and how they work with screen readers and screen magnifiers.

Screen reader users will now be able to access many more iTunes features, such as creating and managing an account and shopping for albums and songs in the iTunes store. Screen readers can also access iTunes U, which is an interface for college-based educational content. iTunes version 8 now supports Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) and works out of the box with the latest Window-Eyes beta, version 7.3. Freedom Scientific reports that it will also work with JAWS 10 when that version is released later this year. In addition, Serotek reports that version 3 of System Access, to be released in October, will be compatible with iTunes 8, as will System Access To Go.

In what is possibly even more exciting news than greater iTunes accessibility, Apple announced that the new iPod Nano 4th generation will have talking menus, so people with vision loss can independently find and listen to music and other content on their iPods. This will be a major accessibility advancement for the Nano, Apple's most popular iPod product, because we will now be able to find and listen to all of our songs and albums without using the "click, press and guess" technique that some of us have used with less accessible iPod products. And we will be able to easily find and play the thousands of songs that can be stored on an iPod Nano.

Here at AFB TECH, we spend a lot of time working with companies advocating for more accessible products for people who are blind or visually impaired. Nothing excites me more than when our hard work pays off, our advice is taken, and we see accessible products on the market, which is why I was so thrilled to hear that Apple has stepped up their commitment to the accessibility of all of their products. I commend Apple for allowing all of its customers to enjoy all of the tremendous iTunes and iPod features.

We're in the process of testing the new Nano and iTunes 8, so stay tuned to AccessWorld for an article detailing these exciting new developments. If any of you have tried it, be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Optics Lab Unveiled at AFB TECH

Guest Blogger, Lee Huffman, AFB TECH

As a person living with low vision, I can tell you firsthand how difficult it can be to read the small screens found on my cell phone, iPod, or even microwave. Unfortunately, there are another 20 million Americans who say they have trouble seeing even with the aid of glasses or contact lenses and are experiencing the same difficulties as me. At an event in West Virginia last month, AFB TECH and Marshall University students and professors unveiled a new device that we hope will lead to small screen displays that are readable for as many people as possible. The contrast measurement device is the first step in determining what's needed to make digital displays usable by people with vision loss. There are currently no manufacturing standards that ensure small screen displays are readable for all people. But our hope is that with the help of this device, a contrast standard will be put into place, and will lead to to the production of easy-to-read appliances, technology devices, even life-saving equipment such as blood glucose meters and insulin pumps for diabetics.

For more information about the project and event, check out the story that ran in the Herald Dispatch in June. Also, for those of you interested in the technical development of our optics lab, visit Dr. Jack Smith's AFB LCD blog.

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Accessibility's In For Summer!

It's another great day on the accessibility front! Today, Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) and Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM) introduced "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008" in the House of Representatives. While this bill includes measures that affect a variety of people with disabilities, we are pleased that it includes clear requirements for access to TV programs and receivers, extends access to Internet-based telecommunications technologies, and adds a new provision to clarify that text messaging must also be accessible under an existing law known as Section 255—all things that will greatly affect the lives of people with vision loss.

Today's events are the next steps in the long journey to bring about improved access to Internet-based communications devices and services, and television programs and receivers. A little over a month ago, my colleague and fellow blogger, Paul Schroeder, wrote about an important hearing that focused on the draft of this bill. I'm thrilled that we've taken another huge step toward making accessible communication devices for people living with disabilities a reality and hope we continue moving in the right direction!

For more details about the legislation, check out the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology's press release or an article that ran in today's Washington Post.

The Insider Scoop

Guest Blogger, Lee Huffman, AFB TECH

Just last month, I attended my first AFB National Conference (JLTLI) and all I can say is, "Wow!" As a member of the AFB TECH team, this year's focus on technology was especially interesting for me. It was great to see new and emerging leaders interact with veterans of the blindness field, such as Jim Fruchterman, Mike May, Anita Aaron, Dr. David Klonoff, and Mike Calvo (to name a few!). I think the session topics sparked some interesting conversations and ideas.

One of my favorite sessions was the Managing Financial Transactions Online session, led by Crista Earl and Vita Zavoli, both AFB staff members. In it, they discussed the benefits and frequent challenges of performing financial transactions on the Internet. They gave actual examples of ways to shop online at Amazon.com, buy groceries at Safeway.com, pay your bills or manage bank statements at Bank of America.com, and indicated how many other such sites could be accessed. They also talked about specific techniques AT users can implement to better cope with less accessible sites, including screen reader features to be aware of which can improve your ability to use a site.

I also really enjoyed the technology exhibits, where conference attendees were given the opportunity to speak with technology leaders and learn about new products and services. The lineup of exhibitors was outstanding: Verizon, AT&T, Microsoft, IBM, Flying Blind LLC—Empowerment through Technology, ICRC/Adaptive Technology Services, En-Vision America, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and yours truly at the AFB TECH table.

For anyone that attended AFB's 2008 National Conference (JLTLI), what was your favorite part of the weekend? Let me know in the comments section below.

Also, if anyone is interested, a few blogs covered various parts of the conference. Visit Seo, Inc.'s blog, Mike Calvo's blog for Serotek, and the Carroll Center for the Blind's blog to read more.

I am looking forward to another fantastic conference next year in Washington, DC!

Action on Technology Access

As a person with vision loss do you ever get frustrated with your new fancy cable TV because you can't see the on-screen menus to select programs and functions? Do you feel like you're falling further and further behind your sighted coworkers who are using new technologies like the Blackberry and iPhone to read e-mail, browse the Web, and stay connected? Wouldn't it be good if we could watch any TV program we wanted, and actually know what's happening without having to convince a sighted friend to watch and explain action to you? And, my goodness, if you're deaf-blind, the simple act of making a phone call independently can cost thousands of dollars just to have the necessary technology. At a May 1 hearing on accessible communications technology, we heard compelling testimony from people with disabilities and advocates about the need for a law to ensure that communications technologies—such as iPhones, Blackberries, TV programming, and more—are made accessible to people with disabilities.

The hearing focused on draft legislation known as the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act," and was an exciting first step in what will be a long journey to bring about improved access to Internet-based communications devices and services and television programs and receivers.

One of the highlights of the May 1 hearing was the testimony of Sergeant Major Jesse Acosta, one of our nation's military heroes who lost his sight just two and a half years ago in combat in Iraq. Sergeant Major Acosta was honest in describing the frustration we all experience trying to buy and use new technologies from cell phones to personal digital assistants to televisions. He even had a little fun challenging a Congressman to try using his Blackberry with his eyes closed.

But there is a long way to go before we see this legislation pass or the results of this work become real. A representative of the cell phone industry said that many of the requirements in the proposed legislation were not needed because the information technology industry is addressing the needs of people with disabilities. While we agree that important progress has been made in some areas, notably where legal requirements like Section 255 are now in place, much work still needs to be done. In an ironic twist, on the same day that an attorney was telling this Congressional hearing that stronger enforcement such as a right to bring a case to court might actually hurt people with disabilities, yet another agreement was signed with the retail industry to make point-of-sale machines and a web site accessible to people with disabilities. This agreement, with RiteAid, came about through negotiations that did not require action in the courts, but it likely wouldn't have happened without the incentive provided by the strong enforcement language included in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Without a doubt, it is all too clear that for people with vision loss there are no TVs with accessible controls and menus, there is minimal video description available of TV programs, PDAs and other new communications devices are not designed to be accessible, and there is little help for deaf-blind individuals to purchase expensive communications devices.

And, there is no doubt that this legislation is needed. We'll soon be asking you to contact your member of Congress to ask him or her to support the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act."

Pop the Champagne! Good News on the Legislative Front

On December 21, the Energy and Commerce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives released proposed legislation that seeks to ensure telephones and television programs are accessible to people with disabilities. Known as the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act," the draft legislation is being hailed by the disabilities community as a dramatic and comprehensive step forward for consumers with disabilities. Check out the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology's press release for more details.

A Present from Pogue

I received a great holiday gift yesterday. No, it wasn't a new cashmere sweater or a trip to Tahiti (though I wouldn't be opposed to either of those gifts). My gift was simply a few short paragraphs from David Pogue, the NY Times Technology writer. In a recent blog post, Pogue, a well-known and widely followed writer in the tech world, acknowledged an issue well-known to the vision loss community: the accessibility (or inaccessibility) of technology gadgets.

While suggesting holiday tech gifts on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" earlier this week, Pogue received a call from a listener who was blind. The listener commented on how the gadgets must be great for consumers who have their vision, but questioned whether Pogue ever stopped and asked himself how blind people are supposed to use them. It seems Pogue had not. This call inspired Pogue to mention the issue and ask about accessibility in his blog post, which in turn opened up a larger discussion about the accessibility of cell phones, iPods, and other gadgets.

Here at AFB we are constantly working to help the information and communications technology industry improve the accessibility and design of its products. This is evident in many of our efforts, from our reviews in Accessworld® of various products available to people who are blind, to AFB TECH and AFB Consulting's work with companies who want to make their products more accessible, to AFB's 255 Action Campaign to encourage cell phone manufacturers and service providers to offer accessible cell phones. Half the battle in getting those in the industry to make a change to their products is publicizing the access barriers and design possibilities, hence my excitement about Pogue's post. Hopefully, the buzz about accessibility will continue to catch on and manufacturers will begin to create gadgets and products that all people can use.

I even added my own comment to the post and I encourage you to read and respond to Pogue's blog to help publicize both the challenges with inaccessible gadgets and the simple steps that can be taken to make them accessible. And, of course, we always like seeing your comments on our blog, so feel free to write a comment on this post. Let us know what category of technological product you'd most like to see made accessible to people with vision loss.

AT&T Expands Options for Cell Phone Users with Vision Loss

Good news on the cell phone front. This week, AT&T Inc. announced their new partnership with Code Factory and their initiative to increase usability for wireless customers who are blind or have low vision. AT&T will now offer the screen reader and magnification software, Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier, on select Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60 phones. Consumers with vision loss are advised to contact AT&T's National Center for Customers with Disabilities at 866-241-6568 with questions or for more information.

We have set up a page on our web site to compile information about cell phone accessibility and ways in which people with vision loss can address access concerns. As we more fully understand the AT&T offer, we will provide details on that page.

We're pleased to see that AT&T continues to show leadership in addressing the needs of the blind and low vision community. AT&T is to be commended for offering full-fledged screen access software, something that no other cell phone company is doing. However, we are disappointed that AT&T has decided to charge people with vision loss an $89 fee for Mobile Speaks or Mobile Magnifier. Though this price is a substantial savings off the market price of these products, this financial burden amounts to a "disability surcharge" for cell phone use that is available to customers without disabilities at no extra charge. (By the way, AT&T had offered the screen reader TALKS with a full rebate for the price of TALKS with a two-year contract).

I also want to note two other concerns:

1. The phones that are offered with the screen access software tend to be expensive (even with a two-year contract).
2. Some consumers do not wish to learn the commands of a screen reader. We hope that AT&T will do more to address the needs of consumers with vision loss who want a low-end phone with a simplified access interface.

Those concerns notwithstanding, I commend AT&T for its leadership and hope that other cell phone carriers and manufacturers will follow AT&T's lead and will offer more accessible wireless options for customers with vision loss, while keeping in mind these options should be made available at no additional cost to blind or visually impaired consumers.

Pencil us into your calendar at 9 pm tonight! We'll be on ACB Radio talking about accessible cell phones.

Tonight is your chance to ask AFB experts questions about cell phones accessibility. Paul Schroeder and Darren Burrton will be guests on "Tuesday Topic," a weekly show on ACB Radio, talking about AFB's efforts to encourage cell phone manufacturers and service providers to offer accessible cell phones. Right now, it is almost impossible to find a cell phone with voice output of essential features like menus or text messages—despite the fact that there is a federal law that requires phones to be designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. Given today's technological advancements—advertised constantly by cell phone carriers—it is particularly shameful that access features are not being made available. To talk to Paul and Darren about this important issue, follow the instructions below. And if you can't make it tonight, you can listen to the interview next Monday at 9 pm EST on ACB Radio Mainstream.

Using a web browser, go to: Ourplace.acbradio.org

Then find the politics room and hit enter. That will take you to a screen where you must either download a small application if this is your first time there, or go on to enter the room. The next screen has a spot for you to input your real name and a password. Ignore the password. Just enter your name and press enter.

The new room looks a lot different from the old one. Please take some time and explore, particularly the help menu and its accessibility submenu.

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Order (and Accessibility) in the Court!

Guest Blogger, Marc Grossman, Accessibility Specialist, AFB Consulting

Under most circumstances, I wouldn't be too ecstatic to be in sunny Tampa for a conference (I'd much rather be lounging on South Beach). But last week, I was thrilled to be attending the National Center for State Courts' Tenth International Court Technology Conference in Tampa, because, along with the Center for Legal and Court Technology (CLCT), AFB Consulting announced the launch of the Accessible Courts Initiative (ACI).

Under the ACI, AFB Consulting and CLCT are bringing consultation, training, and support services to courts, law firms, and others in the legal system to guarantee they are using the appropriate access technology and are making their web sites and other services accessible to people with disabilities. Interestingly enough, many of the conference attendees were not even aware of the many accessibility barriers that exist at all levels of the American courts systems. I guess it's a good thing we are starting this initative and getting the word out there! Read this release about our efforts to learn more.

Here at AFB Consulting, we are always interested in hearing from consumers about accessibility issues. Given this new initiative, I'm really interested in hearing about your own experiences with the law. No, not those types of experiences, but ones that deal with accessibility. Have you ever served on a jury? Are you an attorney? Have you tried to download forms from a court web site? Have you been unable to access other important documents because they are only available in print? Leave me a comment below and help us find out what other accessibility obstacles are out there.

Sprint, Share the Wealth!

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

It seems that the Sprint Nextel Corporation is investing a lot of money to improve services for its customers. Unfortunately, we haven't heard about any plans to improve accessibility or services for Sprint users with vision loss. The company announced it will spend about $5 billion (yes, billion) by the end of 2010 on a new high speed wireless network called WiMax. The WiMax service greatly increases Internet access speed compared to other networks. This is great news for people who need to access the web from their phones, laptops, and even video game players. But, as many of you know from the complaints recently filed by AFB, Sprint customers who are blind and visually impaired have trouble with the most basic phone functions such as texting and using the phonebook. And, Sprint's customer service is not even equipped with the proper information to help them with their problems. Improving high speed wireless service might be a smart business move for Sprint, but meeting the basic access needs of its entire consumer base would be even wiser.

Keep 'em Coming!

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Well, it seems that the paperwork is piling up over at the FCC. On Tuesday, The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) announced that COAT representatives submitted multiple complaints against both cell phone carriers and manufacturers on behalf of consumers with disabilities. This is in addition to the complaints submitted by AFB a couple weeks ago. Members of the COAT group agree that the industry is not responding to the needs of its full consumer base, leaving their disabled customers with inaccessible phones and minimal customer service assistance. I encourage you to read the full release on AFB's web site, so you can get an idea of what other organizations are saying. Hopefully a united front and increased pressure will produce change.

I'm also beginning to hear from some companies in the cell phone industry asking for more information about the access barriers confronting people with vision loss. So, we've now set up a survey in the cell phone section of AFB's web site. It's easy to complete and your responses will allow us to give cell phone manufacturers and service providers more comprehensive information about the kinds of problems we face. Please take a moment to fill out the survey.

Ah the Irony!

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Just as we started ramping up the campaign to improve cell phone accessibility, I lost my cell phone. Now, theres no great story in this. I didn't lose it while bungee jumping, for example, but I've relearned one of the really troubling barriers that face those of us who are blind and who want a fully accessible cell phone.

I lost the phone last Thursday and still don't have a replacement cell phone. And here's the lesson: not only are there precious few options for phones with accessibility features to be had, they also aren't easy to get, especially if you also want to add in the specialized screen access software.

My sighted colleague brought this home to me. She reminded me of the day she lost her phone, and had a new one by the afternoon, all set up and ready to go. Why? Well, partly it's because she's a bit type A and expects things to work that way, but mostly it's because she's sighted and cell phone stores have lots of choices for phones that work just fine if you can see and are easy to find, even in smaller towns.

For those of us who are blind, we often have to special order the phone online and order the software separately, and then hope we're capable of loading the software and making it all work.

Several of the consumers who recently filed complaints had some variant of this story. Hanging on to old phones because replacing them was too hard or impossible, paying the additional cost of specialized software and buying a more expensive phone, fighting with the phone insurance provider to try to get another phone with access features...

Those of us who are blind have probably never experienced the convenience of going into a store and walking out with a fully accessible phone. Wouldn't that be a nice outcome from this consumer action to encourage the cell phone industry to make their phones accessible?

Frustrated with Inaccessible Cell Phones, Consumers Demand Action

From Paul Schroeder VP, Programs and Policy Group

This week, AFB assisted 11 consumers with vision loss in filing complaints on cell phone accessibility with the Federal Communications Commission. Like many of us, these consumers were fed up with the lack of cell phones with features like speech output of all menus and functions (including features like text messaging), poor displays that cannot be adjusted to be more readable, and keys so small, flat or jammed together that it's nearly impossible to enter numbers. They also justly criticized the manufacturers and service providers for failing to provide product manuals and bills in accessible formats, and for requiring blind consumers to pay for their own access software, like Mobile Speaks, to gain access to the functions of a cell phone.

But unlike many of us, these consumers were also willing to step forward and submit complaints. It is these complaints that help make accessible products a reality. I salute these individuals for taking action. If you want to join the campaign, visit the cell phone access section of AFB's web site, for more information on this issue. Contact your service provider and the manufacturer of your phone to ask for a more accessible phone, and if you're not satisfied with the response, file a complaint.

Advocates worked hard to pass the law known as Section 255, which requires phone manufacturers and service providers to make their products and services accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, if it is readily achievable to do so. These complaints and the many more consumers who have taken time to contact us recently, make clear that the cell phone industry has failed to address accessibility in a comprehensive way. But, to be effective, all of us with vision loss need to be very clear and forthright in asking for full accessibility. That's exactly what these 11 consumers did, and there are more ready to join them. If you want a cell phone with full access to all the features, then you must be clear and say so, to the service provider and to the manufacturer, and if they won't listen, to the FCC.

Hope for iPhone Access!?

Guest Blogger, Jay Leventhal, Editor in Chief, AccessWorld®

The media has been filled with stories about Apple's iPhone since its debut on June 29. AFB TECH has examined the iPhone and confirmed that it includes no accessibility features for people who are totally blind.

It also has no meaningful access for people with low vision. While the iPhone does allow modest enlargement of certain images and text—like maps, web pages, and e-mails—it does not allow for icons to be enlarged or rearranged in a more accessible manner. We also do not believe that contrast is adjustable, or at least not significantly. Some fonts are especially small—when typing in text, for example. The screen is flat and reflective, and causes glare. Apple acknowledges that the iPhone doesn't work for blind people in their accessibility report.

Several AFB staff met with a representative from Apple this week. He indicated that Apple would consider adding accessibility into subsequent releases of the iPhone. The Apple representative stressed that the whole point of the iPhone is to allow innovation. However, the nature of this phone, a perfectly flat screen with only one button, makes it hard for us to imagine how it could be accessed by someone needing tactile feedback and tactually identifiable controls. We wonder how a company that says it prides itself on cutting-edge innovation can create something that is so completely unusable for people with vision loss. We strongly encourage Apple to work with the blindness community to create a truly innovative and accessible iPhone. And while they're at it, why not do the same for the iPod?

You can e-mail Apple's accessibility staff at accessibility@apple.com. Also, I encourage you to read Apple's take on accessibility in the iPhone.

ADA Turns 17

Cell phones: the new accessibility frontier

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Today, signs of progress are everywhere—from improved physical access through installation of critical features like braille and large print signs and curb cuts, to enhanced interest in ensuring that people with disabilities can use programs and services. But much more still needs to be done. For example, there has not been nearly enough progress in employment for people with disabilities, including those of us with vision loss, and transportation services are not what they should be in most places in our country.

Last year on the anniversary of the passage of ADA, we talked about the importance of ensuring that the law and the spirit enshrined in its enactment extend to new services like web sites because so many people are relying on the web for purchasing products, finding information, and even doing work. It was gratifying to see a company like RadioShack agree to improve the accessibility of its web site for shoppers with disabilities, hopefully paving the way for others to follow suit.

On this anniversary, along with cheering the introduction of the ADA Restoration measures, we are also calling attention to a different legal mandate that, while not included in the ADA, came about to extend the promise and opportunities envisioned in the legislation. I'm referring to Section 255 (an amendment to the Communications Act of 1996) that requires telecommunications manufacturers and service providers to ensure that telephones and services are accessible to people with disabilities. Over the past several months, here at AFB, we have been hearing from people with vision loss about frustrations with cell phones that are not designed to meet our needs. The now ubiquitous cell phone has given us freedom and safety, but even with passage of Section 255, innovation in the cell phone industry has not brought about the accessibility for people with vision loss that we hoped for.

Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (and Section 255) are powerful expressions of what our society hopes to achieve in ensuring opportunities and equality for people with disabilities. But under these laws our right to accessibility is secured only when we are willing to proclaim and advocate for it. Sometimes we must seize the right and take action, even legal action, when necessary. Section 255 and ADA are only as strong as our willingness to act, only as clear as our voices make them.

On this anniversary of ADA, let us take our rightful place as full and equal participants in society and expect that we will be treated as such. When government agencies, employers, or businesses fall short, let us remind them that we expect equality. And, if necessary, take action to demand it. And, if we are not satisfied with our services, including cell phone services, then we must act, because if we do not, then passage of these laws will mean very little.

More on AFB's Campaign to Make Cell Phones Accessible

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Earlier this week, I wrote about AFB's 255 Action campaign designed to improve the accessibility of cell phones. Section 255 (a law that is part of the Communications Act) requires all phones to be made usable for people with disabilities. For example, we would expect that phones would now have keys that can be identified by touch, displays that can be read by people with limited vision, and with speech output for people who cannot read the phone's display at all. Yet, this is just not happening.

I am pleased to see that AT&T is showing real leadership on the accessibility front. This week, AT&T announced plans to add screen reader and magnification software to several cell phones to increase usability for customers who are blind or visually impaired. We are thrilled to see a company taking meaningful steps to address the needs of individuals with vision loss, and are excited to test the new products. (And, yes, we were disappointed that AT&T also introduced the iPhone, which appears to be such an accessibility nightmare.)

Now, more companies need to take initiative. We just sent a letter to leading cell phone carriers and manufacturers to ask how they plan to address the needs of people with vision loss. We told these industry leaders about people's major frustrations with current cell phones, including:

• cell phones do not provide for audio output of information displayed on the screen;
• the visual displays on most phones are hard to read;
• numeric and control keys are not easy to distinguish by touch; and
• product manuals or phone bills are not available in braille, large print, or other formats they can read.

Given today's technological advancements—advertised constantly by cell phone carriers—it is particularly shameful that access features are not being made available. If AT&T can harness new technology to add features for people with vision loss, then all cell phone carriers and manufacturers can. We are going to continue an aggressive campaign over the next few weeks, so stay posted. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this important issue.

People with vision loss can't use most cell phones. It's time to change that.

From Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Imagine walking into a store, purchasing a new cell phone, and not being able to use most of its features. Frustrating, no? Cell phones have revolutionized life for most people. But for people with vision loss, finding a cell phone with screens we can read or with voice output of essential features like menus or text messages is almost impossible. There is a federal law known as Section 255 that requires cell phones, and other phones too, to be designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. However, far too many cell phone manufacturers and carriers are not taking the law and accessibility seriously, which means the overwhelming majority of phones are not fully usable for people who are blind or have low vision.

AFB wants to change that. We recently started a campaign called 255 Action, where we are helping people with vision loss understand these access requirements and, if necessary, file complaints with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you or someone you know has vision loss, join our campaign! AFB will provide you the information you need to find out more about accessibility and file your own complaint with the FCC. Just send us an e-mail at 255action@afb.net, or call us at 212.502.7775.

Making cell phones usable for people with vision loss is not just the legal, and right, thing to do, it's also a smart business decision. With the population aging, and the vision loss numbers expected to multiply, more and more cell phone users will be in the market for an accessible phone. It's time to make vision loss-friendly phones widely available.

CNN features Paul Schroeder

Yesterday, CNN.com played host to a technology column that featured Paul Schroeder, AFB's VP of Programs & Policy (and frequent contributor to this blog). In the piece, Paul talks about the technology he uses to help meet the demands of his busy job. (His boss must be a real stickler.) There is a lot of useful information, so I encourage you to check out the column which is still up on the CNN web site.

Blind Texans Take Issue with Technology Choices

Guest Bloggers, Mark Richert, Director, Public Policy and Paul Schroeder, Vice President, Programs and Policy Group.

Recently, the National Federation of the Blind and a number of blind Texans have raised a court challenge to the Lone Star State's decision to buy and use software throughout the state's health and human services agency. Why the litigation? Their case, if successful, would hold the state responsible for its apparent failure to purchase software that can be used by state employees with disabilities. This serious claim highlights a truly Texas-sized national problem. For years now, the federal government and many states have been required to ensure that electronic and other information technologies they purchase for use by their employees and the public can be used effectively by people with disabilities such as vision loss. When our government doesn't honor this compelling need, let alone when government fails to follow the clear requirements of law, people with disabilities are at risk for loss of productivity, employment, independence, and equal opportunity. Right now, AFB is working shoulder-to-shoulder with other committed groups on vital work to strengthen national accessibility standards governing federal purchases of hardware and software not unlike the procurement at the heart of the Texas suit. In addition to enhancing standards and toughening enforcement, we also need to work in partnership with industry to design technical and practical access solutions, and AFB is investing in that very work. In any event, whatever the outcome of the litigation down south, I hope that Texas will set an example of cooperation and accessibility for the rest of America to model and be proud of.

Become Our MySpace Friend

Guest Blogger, Adrianna Montague-Gray, Communications Manager

Everyone is on MySpace these days, including AFB! Late last year we started a profile to raise awareness about web accessibility issues on social networking sites like MySpace and Friendster. Social networking is a great way to build community and share ideas. We have MySpace friends from across the U.S. and a couple from Europe and Latin America. Just last week, we got a message and friend request from Matt Miller, the founder of cdifferent, an organization that works to create opportunities for athletes with vision loss to participate in sporting events. Matt's message especially caught our eye since several AFB employees are serious athletes, such as marathon runner Crista Earl. If you're interested, take a look at his foundation. We have also made a lot of MySpace friends, such as the Guide Dogs for the Blind—another organization actively using MySpace to build community. If you're on MySpace, please add us as your friend! You can find us at www.myspace.com/afb1921.

CBS News on Video Imaging on the Tongue

CBS News recently did a special report on BrainPort, the group creating video imaging on the tongue. Technology is an amazing thing. Here is a clip of the video via YouTube.

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Proposed New Voting Machines Unveiled in New York

If you live in New York City, stop by Fordham University tomorrow night to see a demonstration of the proposed new accessible voting machines. As blind and visually impaired voters in New York know all too well, the old voting machines were far from accessible. Voters with vision loss had to ask a friend or loved one (or worse case-scenario, a complete stranger) to join them at the polls so they could cast a ballot. But hopefully tomorrow New York will unveil a voting machine that will allow people with vision loss to vote secretly and verifiably, eliminating the need for an assistant.

The public demonstration is taking place tomorrow, January 11, 2007, from 5 pm - 9 pm at Fordham University, Pope Auditorium (60th Street and Columbus Avenue). If you're able to make it, please post your thoughts on our blog.

Holiday Shopping

The holiday season is here, and we have great news for those struggling to think up clever, accessible, last-minute gift ideas for people with vision loss. Here are some useful, fun, techie ideas from the staff at AFB TECH. A special thank you to National Technology Associate Brad Hodges for helping compile this list

• A USB or "thumb drive" memory stick. About the size of a pack of gum, all note takers currently in production can use this economical and amazingly convenient storage technology.
• A microwave oven with convenient tactile controls or voice output such as the Hamilton Beach Talking microwave oven and the Panasonic model 1085.
• A satellite radio or MP3 player such as the XM Myfi or Sirius Stiletto satellite radio receivers, the RCA Lira MP3 player, and the Book Port from the American Printing House for the Blind.
• Portable digital talking book players from Telex or Visuaid.
• High-quality tabletop radios from Tivoli, Cambridge Sound Works, the CC Crain Company, or Bose.
• The Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader.
• Video-described movies from DVS Home Video.
• The Surf Board Universal Talking Remote control.
• Accessible cell phones from Cingular or Verizon.

Safeway Saves the Financial Privacy of Shoppers with Vision Loss

Nowadays, it seems whenever I want to buy something, I am handed a little gadget and asked to enter my PIN. Seems so quick and easy, but most of the time I can't complete the purchase this way because the buttons on these devices—called point of sale machines—are flat and indistinguishable from one another. I usually need someone to help me, which forces me to give my personal information to a complete stranger…very unnerving. Various blindness organizations have been pressuring retailers who use this type of technology to install equipment that is accessible to people with vision loss. So, I am very excited to announce that we have made a positive change with the well-known grocery chain, Safeway. Safeway has started installing devices that connect to the point of sale payment machines and are equipped with tactile keys set up like the number pad on a telephone. This way, I can enter my information and not have to worry about sharing it. As far as I know, there are no Safeways in my neighborhood, but I hope this trend spreads quickly.

Blind Recording Professionals Ask Digidesign to Make Pro Tools Accessible

Guest Blogger Jay Leventhal, Editor in Chief, AccessWorld®

Pro Tools is a package that allows professionals to digitally record and edit audio. It is used at radio stations, recording studios, and post-production video television and movie studios. Many of the top people in the entertainment field use the Macintosh computer to do their work.

A group of recording professionals who are blind are asking that Digidesign, the manufacturer of pro Tools, follow Apple's guidelines to make their product accessible to users of Apple's VoiceOver screen reader. Digidesign has not responded, so the group has launched an online petition which we encourage people to read and sign at www.protoolspetition.org.

You can read a review of VoiceOver in AccessWorld® and a more recent review at Nomensa.

BlogHer Takes on Accessibility

Guest Blogger, Adrianna Montague-Gray, Communications Manager

I spent this past weekend in sunny California attending the 2006 BlogHer conference, which was created for women bloggers to pursue exposure, education, and community. I joined almost 700 women (and several men) from around the world in a frank discussion about how blogging and new media are changing the world. What was great is that women bloggers are talking about accessibility. Skye Kilaen gave a fabulous presentation during the "primp your blog" session on how to make your site accessible. I rushed right up to her to thank her for raising awareness of this important issue in front of such a key audience. And the group was really interested! Many people were actively taking notes and asking questions.

Many attendees were really excited to hear about AFB's experience with blogging, since we were one of the first non-profits to tackle it. I explained that we had to create our own software to ensure it was accessible to people using assistive technology, and that we had created a couple of lively discussion on our blog, including the one around the offensive New York Times Magazine article on hiring a chef with vision loss.

But my big takeaway from this weekend was how important it is for AFB to be on top of blogging, and what's happening in the new digital world. Technology has and continues to revolutionize life for all of us, and I was really proud to say I worked for an organization that is fighting hard to make technology accessible to everyone.

Emergency Alerts: Just Pick Up the Phone

Guest blogger, Alan Dinsmore, Associate Director, Advocacy

Persons with vision loss were among the many citizens hit hard by the Katrina disaster. Often, the simplest of actions, like walking out the front door to assess neighborhood damage, was extremely dangerous. Chief among the Katrina lessons well-learned by persons with vision loss is that you have to be able to access information where and when you need it, just like everyone else. There cannot be one single special device or communications system because no one knows—with precision—which communications systems will be up and running with the most authoritative information. Recently, President Bush took an important step forward with his just released Executive Order directing the Department of Homeland Security to develop a public alert system that can deliver alerts in multiple formats based on personal user preference. Now, if only American telecommunications carriers would get the point. In today's New York Times, I saw an article about Japanese emergency planners requiring cell phones to have receivers by next year that use satellite- based global positioning systems to establish a user's location. Persons with vision loss could really use this system when they have to relocate in an emergency or establish their location in proximity to emergency facilities. No American phone carrier offers such a system. Isn't it time that they stopped concentrating on entertainment and did something useful?

Congress Advances on Accessibility Issues

Guest blogger Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs and Policy Group

Making telephone calls over the Internet is all the rage. Individuals and businesses are looking to save money by making their phone calls using Internet connections, known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Thanks to some excellent advocacy by groups like the American Association of People with Disabilities, the U.S. Senate took several important steps towards bringing about access to this technology for all people—including people with disabilities.

You can find information about the law that requires access to standard and wireless telephones (known as Section 255) on AFB's web site. Now, as Congress looks at a host of issues concerning so-called broadband (high capacity Internet connections like DSL or cable), disability advocates have tried to get Congress to ensure these new communication services, like VoIP are also accessible.

And, there's more good news from the Senate. The American Council of the Blind and other advocates have been trying to convince Congress to reinstate video description requirements. Video description refers to audio information included in television programs or movies that enable individuals with vision loss to follow the action occurring on screen. Back in 2000, the Federal Communications Commission had required major broadcast and cable television networks to include video description in at least four hours of programming per week. However, the requirements were struck down by a court. The Senate bill would reinstate those requirements and it also asks the FCC to make other visual information accessible, such as emergency or other text information sometimes displayed on the television.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation with some similar provisions (though not the video description requirements) recently. So prospects are promising that Congress might complete action on broadband legislation with some important disability access requirements this year.

Stay tuned.

International Competition Inspires Life-Changing Technology

If you're working on new technology for people with vision loss, there's a contest you should know about. The Spanish Organization for the Blind (ONCE) recently announced the start of the Fourth International Research and Development Award in New Technologies for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Technology has revolutionized life for people with vision loss across the globe and this contest is sure to bring in some really exciting submissions. For this year's awards, the relevant areas of technology-related research include engineering, artificial intelligence, computer sciences, telecommunications, microtechnology and nanoelectronics... read more about this contest on the ONCE website and pass it around to everyone you know with a "big idea."

Broadband will save money, but will we be able to use it?

A new report released Friday by the New Millennium Research Council spotlights the potential economic benefits broadband technologies hold for people with disabilities and the country's aging population. In the report, Bob Litan, a well-respected economist, estimates that broadband technologies could save between $89 to $150 billion in just the next four years. By 2030, he foresees a savings of over a trillion dollars.

How? Faster, reliable, and more convenient access to information.

Broadband technologies have the potential to allow patients to lower their health care costs and live independently in their own homes for a longer period of time. For example, a doctor monitoring a patient's "vital signs" remotely would decrease visits to an actual office and drive down costs. It would also allow patients with chronic medical problems to keep living in their homes and still be able to contact aid on a moment's notice. There are also enormous implications for increased employment productivity for people with disabilities and seniors.

The key to making Litan's prediction reality: accessible broadband equipment and services. And the best way to ensure full accessibility is to mandate it.

I've had the opportunity to review draft language by the House Commerce Committee and applaud their efforts to prioritize making broadband accessible for people with disabilities. As the legislation moves forward we'll all need to support accessibility. Even if we don't all use broadband technology for health care or employment purposes, we'll all benefit in the cost savings through decreased insurance premiums, lower taxes, and peace of mind that our loved one are safe even when we're not there.