Regulatory

February 2015 – The FCC released a notice [47 CFR Part 20] correcting errors found in their December 23rd request for updated information to assess whether current hearing aid compatibility rules for wireless handsets effectively address the needs of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

October 2014 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), a technology trade association for the consumer electronics industry, announced the publication of its Accessibility Resource Center, a resource guide that helps CEA members meet the requirements of the Twenty-first Century  Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA). The resource guide is a collection of CEA guides, comments, and other actions that have been consolidated into a single quick-reference resource.

October 2014 – The FCC posted two new videos this month that include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations of information concerning emergency services and the FCC’s Advanced Video Communications Platform and in ASL Video. The original video that was posted in June 2014 provided information about the launch of an ASL Consumer Support Line that allows people who are deaf and hard of hearing to use the service via videophone.

October 2014 – The FCC announced it will host a forum next month promoting accessibility in wireless emergency communications. The event will allow industry and emergency communications specialists the opportunity to present innovations in services, emergency, assistive and accessible technologies that increase information and communications access in the event of an emergency.

Georgia Tech’s Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), in collaboration with the Wireless RERC, submitted comments to an FCC Public Notice [CG Docket No. 10-213] asking for comments on the tentative findings about the accessibility of communication technologies.