[Missouri-l] Fwd: [acb-l] Copy of letter regarding H.R. 3101

[Chip Hailey]

>Delivered-To: chiphailey at cableone.net
>From: "Karyn Campbell" <karyn1421 at wowway.com>
>To: "Illinois Discussion List" <icb-l at icbonline.org>,
>       ildb-l at icbonline.org, "ICB Board" <icb-board at icbonline.org>,
>       "sasi Discussion List" <sasi at acb.org>,
>       "ACB Discussion List" <acb-l at acb.org>, wisconsin at acb.org,
>       "AADB Discussion List" <AADB-L at TR.WOU.EDU>
>Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 10:00:43 -0500
>Subject: [acb-l] Copy of letter regarding H.R. 3101
>
>Hello all,
>
>Pasted below my signature is a copy of the text of my letter to my
>Representative, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL 6), regarding H.R. 3101, the 21st
>Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009.  It is crucial
>that we get co-sponsors for this legislation as there are only 2 on this
>bill right now.  However, we have over 4400 signatures (last time I checked)
>on the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) petition
>supporting this bill.  We need to make it known to our Representatives that
>we want to see this legislation passed.  Companion legislation in the Senate
>would be a good idea here as well.
>
>Read and hopefully be motivated to do what you can in this effort.
>
>Karyn Campbell, karyn1421 at wowway.com
>Check out my blog at packerbackerkaryn.blogspot.com
>----Start of letter
>
>Once again the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act has
>been introduced in the House by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA).  This time around the
>bill number is H.R. 3101.  This is important legislation which I would like
>to see you sign on to as a co-sponsor.  Below I will outline some of the
>things that this legislation will do that directly affect me as someone who
>is blind and has a hearing loss as well.
>
>One provision would require that all mobile and Internet-based devices be
>fully hearing aid compatible.  This is important to me as someone who wears
>hearing aids.  No longer would I have to wait for my husband to get a device
>and then have me try it to see if I can use it.  We had to do this with our
>present cell phone.  I would like to know that I can use something without
>having to go through this unnecessary waiting and hoping.  I've been able to
>use a cell phone without the need for a neck loop since 2006 and this was
>definitely a step forward with completion on this issue  being necessary.
>
>As someone who is blind, having accessible user interfaces is another
>important provision.  This means the buttons and menus on a device.  Right
>now these are largely inaccessible especially if I don't have specialized
>software on the device, something which I have to pay extra for right now.
>This is definitely true of my current cell phone; but I did it because I
>wanted the ability to use text messaging and also wanted the ability to
>retrieve my call history which are features that sighted people take for
>granted.    The importance of the call history  feature was brought home in
>real terms in 2007 when a friend of ours needed sighted help in order to
>retrieve valuable information from his call history in order to assist
>investigators in the investigation of a fire at his home.  I knew then that
>I wanted independent access to this information when I upgraded my cell
>phone the next time this was possible.
>
>Another thing this bill would do is establish a process for the provision of
>real-time text capability.  I assume this to mean instant messaging which is
>not available across platforms and needs to be standardized.  This is an
>important one in the deaf and deaf-blind communities and is important to me,
>especially given that I am active in the deaf-blind community and would like
>to be able to use instant messaging without having to worry about the
>service being used.
>
>Another provision of this bill would provide people who are deaf-blind with
>vital but costly equipment they need in order to communicate electronically.
>This will help lessen isolation and increase employment options.  This is a
>community that is isolated due to lack of accessible equipment for
>communication, among other issues.  I know of one woman who, through the use
>of the Deaf-Blind Communicator was able, for the first time in eight years,
>to make a phone call.  That's just one example of the value of this vital
>equipment.
>
>This legislation would also re-establish the mandate of the Federal
>Communication Commission (FCC) to promulgate rules regarding video
>description and would further require programming propagated to the Internet
>to have both video description and closed captioning.  The video description
>requirements would help me as I would know what is going on in the nonvisual
>elements of a program.  These elements are described during the natural
>pauses in a program.  I have seen movies with video description and enjoyed
>them immensely.  It has contributed to my understanding of the movie and my
>ability to discuss it with others.
>
>There is a provision for requirements regarding the presentation of
>emergency information in a nonvisual way, namely audio, so that people who
>are blind or visually impaired know what is going on without having to find
>a radio or hope that the impending hazard doesn't find them before they find
>out what that hazard is.
>
>These are just a few of the provisions of this bill which would either
>affect me directly or affect people I know.  The Coalition of Organizations
>for Accessible Technology (COAT) has been working with industry on this bill
>and there are two companies that I am aware of who support this legislation.
>Those companies are AT&T and Verizon.  They both feel that this legislation
>is the right thing to do.
>
>I as a person with a disability don't want to be left behind in the rapidly
>changing world of technology.  To that end, I urge you in the strongest
>terms possible to sign on as a co-sponsor of this very important
>legislation.  There are times when standards and requirements are a good
>thing and this is definitely one of those times.
>
>Thank you in advance for your time, attention and what I hope will be prompt
>action to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 3101.  The time is now to make
>sure that people with disabilities like me are not left behind.  Our ability
>to participate in the community at all levels depends on this legislation.
>
>Sincerely;
>
>
>
>
>
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