From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
The American with Disabilities Act celebrated it’s 20th anniversary with a White House Rose Garden ceremoney. Rhode Island Representative Jim Langevin presided over the House of Representatives for the occasion. Why is that special? Rep. Langevin is the first quadrepalegic to be elected to congress. Rep. Langevin is quoted as saying “I know the inspiration I took from other people and how they overcame challenges.” As part of the anniversary, Congress voted on additional measures to broaden the access of the internet and television to the blind and deaf.
HOUSE MARKS ADA ANNIVERSARY WITH BILL TO IMPROVE INTERNET ACCESS FOR DISABLED
The House on Monday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by approving legislation assuring that the disabled have full access to the Internet and television.
“The ADA mandated physical ramps into buildings,” said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., sponsor of the bill. “Today, individuals with disabilities need online ramps to the Internet so they can get to the Web from wherever they happen to be.”
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.
The House took up the measure immediately after paying tribute to the achievements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark bill ensuring the disabled equal access to public places that President George H.W. Bush signed into law two decades ago.
You can read the rest of the Fox News story here.
