CCD Task Force on Communications Access/Telecommunications Transition Document The ability to receive, manipulate and distribute information is essential for the independence and productivity of individuals in this society. Likewise, the ability to express oneself and be understood by others is essential. The revolution in communications technology and personal computers has made information available to more people, more rapidly and in more formats than ever before. A national policy relating to communications should foster the further development of this "information revolution" to ensure the distribution of information in multiple formats and media allowing an even greater number of individuals to benefit. Such policies should also enable individuals with disabilities to communicate in their preferred method. Communications Policy Considerations Modifications and improvements are needed in the telecommunications and information distribution infrastructure and the needs of people with disabilities must be addressed as part of this necessary legislative/regulatory effort. The following guidelines are offered to assist in the development of communications policy. Principles/Policy Guidelines Regarding Disability 1. Access to telecommunications and other forms of mass communications must be provided for individuals with disabilities. 2. Access needs for persons with disabilities are broad. A thorough approach to designing communications systems should include consideration of motor impairments, sensory impairments of sight and hearing, cognitive impairments and speech impairments. 3. Access to information and communications must continue to be affordable, while including accessibility for people with disabilities. 4. In incorporating accessibility for people with a wide variety of disabilities, the communications infrastructure should also become more "user friendly" for all users. 5. A definition of "communications access" should be incorporated into national policy as follows: (A) COMMUNICATIONS ACCESSIBILITY - all expressive and receptive communications shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. b. Society must recognize that every individual is capable of communicating and, knows best how to convey his or her thoughts to others. 6. In order to carry out this mandate: (1) individuals shall be afforded the necessary auxiliary aids and services to effectively communicate with others; (2) in determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary, an entity shall give primary consideration to the request of the individual with a disability; (3) establishment of a communications environment in which persons with motor, cognitive, hearing, vision or speech disabilities can effectively express, understand, receive and transmit information using communications networks and systems including public alert, public address and telecommunication systems and networks. Short Range National Goals 1. The FCC has done little to regulate telecommunication services for persons with disabilities as mandated by the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement and the Telecommunications for the Disabled Acts. The FCC should address the diverse needs of individuals with disabilities in its policy- making and regulatory capacity, particularly with regard to the mandates found in the above legislation and in P.L. 101-336, The Americans with Disabilities Act (Title III-Public Accommodations and Title IV-Telecommunications) (a) Appointment of Federal Communications Commissioner(s) with a disability and/or well-versed in disability access issues is a necessary and logical step to take with regard to the needs of the 43 million Americans with disabilities. 2. Require all new phones purchased (not just those designated as "essential") to be hearing aid compatible. 3. Include a requirement for accessibility to new equipment and network services in any legislation amending the capability of regional bell operating companies to manufacture telecommunications equipment or provide information services. Long Range National Goals 1. Establishment as a national priority a telecommunications policy that states all benefits of the technological revolution (including emerging interactivities of existing technologies) will be made available to all individuals with disabilities. (A) Encourage of R&D initiatives across telecommunications industries (television, telephone, cable, microwave, cellular, PCS, satellite, information services, etc.) to integrate the technology and accessibility needs of individuals with sensory impairments will all specialized equipment offerings. (b) Alleviation of the costs of "communication aids" designed to substantially reduce or eliminate sensory disabilities (deafness, hearing impaired; blindness, visual impairment, inability to communicate vocally) through total technological integration into the infrastructure. 2. Enactment of legislation at the state level that protects the interests of individuals with disabilities regarding equal access to vital telecommunications services, and which encourages the states to take a more active role in ensuring telecommunications access. (A) Elimination of the present inconsistencies among states in the provision, cost, availability and repair of specialized telephone equipment. (B) Encouragement to state utility commissions to require local carriers to provide Specialized Customer Premises Equipment (SCPE) and Value-Added Services (VAS) or "enhanced services" at affordable rates with a variety of finance options, e.g., tax credits or deductions, loan guarantee programs or general tariffs. (i) SCPE is defined as any equipment needed by persons with disabilities to access a communication network without assistance, or needed by nondisabled for the purpose of communication with persons with hearing, speech, vision or mobility- related disabilities. (ii) VAS is defined as any offering over the telecommunications network which is more than a basic transmission service. The term enhanced service shall refer to services, offered over common carrier transmission facilities, which employ computer processing applications that act on the format, content, code, protocol or similar aspects of thee subscriber's transmitted information; provide the subscriber additional, different or restructured information; or involve subscriber interaction with stored information. Explanation of Communications Accommodations for People with Disabilities Accommodations in communications for people with disabilities are often practice in content or "common sense." For example, taking adequate time to communicate with a person who has impaired speech or who is using an assistive communication device is an accommodation. Likewise, speaking and responding directly to people with disabilities, rather than their companions, is another. Assistive devices, equipment or services may also be appropriate accommodations for an individual with a disabilities wishing to express or receive communications. Such devices include text telephones for people who are deaf or braille text telephones for people who are deaf-blind; remote control switches for use of computers and office equipment by individuals with motor impairments; magnification lenses and systems; adjustable furniture; adaptive computer software and hardware enabling individuals with visual, motor, manual or other disabilities to independently use computers and other equipment; augmentative communication devices; computer files/data transmissions in commonly used codes such as ASCII; voice recognition systems; alternative computer data input systems such as modified keyboards or systems which are controlled by puffing, sipping head/eye movements etc. Examples of services as accommodations include, personal readers for individuals unable to use standard print, sign language interpreters and personal assistants.