Monday, June 29, 2009

Contact:

Eric Bridges, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

202) 467-5081

ebridges@acb.org

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 -- Late Friday night, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) re-introduced the Twenty-First Century communications and Video Accessibility Act, comprehensive legislation designed to expand access for people who are blind or have other disabilities to telecommunications equipment and video programming.

"It is imperative that we restore the modest requirements for production of video description to primetime television and extend them to digital TV and the internet, require non visual access to onscreen emergency warnings, and require visual menus to be accessible. Contrary to the commonly held notion about the blind, we do watch television, go to movies, buy DVD's and participate actively on the web. The American Council of the Blind is committed to the concept that equal access to these media is critically important for full integration into mainstream society," said Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind.

About the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

This legislation would:

- require that mobile and other Internet-based telecommunications devices have accessible user interfaces, and offer people with disabilities use of a full range of text messaging and other popular services that are currently largely inaccessible;

- provide people who are deaf-blind with vital but costly technologies they need to communicate electronically,

- restore the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) modest video description rules and unambiguously establish the Commission's current and ongoing authority to expand such regulations, require emergency announcements and similar information to be accessible to people with disabilities through audible presentation of on-screen alerts,

- ensure that video programming offered via the Internet will be described, and call for all devices that receive and playback video programming to employ accessible user interfaces and allow ready access to description; and

- strengthen consumers' ability to enforce their rights to communications and video accessibility through the establishment of a clearinghouse of information about service and equipment accessibility and usability, a meaningful FCC complaint process that holds industry accountable for their accessibility obligations, and judicial review of FCC action to ensure the Commission's own accountability.

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States, the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually impaired Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society. For more information, visit www.acb.org; write to American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201; phone (202) 467-5081; or fax (703) 465-5085.