We promised you an update on the terms of the legislation working its way through Congress regarding new access standards for the disabled to modern technology. Thanks to the staff at SHRM nad a press release from the Associated Press, I was able to determine that the bill calls for:
The bill, which passed 348-23 and now moves to the Senate, takes such steps as making it easier for the blind to access the Internet from smart phones, providing deaf people with the ability to watch new TV programs online with captions included, and requiring that telecom equipment used to make calls over the Internet be compatible with hearing aids.
The measure also:
_Gives the blind a fuller TV experience through audible descriptions of on-screen action.
_Makes cable TV program guides and selection menus accessible to people with vision loss.
_Mandates that remote controls have buttons or similar devices to easily access the closed captioning on broadcast and pay TV.
_Provides financial support to help the low-income disabled buy accessible Internet technology.
The legislation does not require manufacturers and service providers to install particular technology, but it does set new federal standards that the telecommunications industry will follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment