FCC National Broadband Plan Supports Public Inclusive Infrastructure; Cites RtF Consortium Members' Comments
The Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Plan, sent to Congress on March 16, 2010, includes broad-ranging disability access recommendations. Cited in the plan are the public comments submitted by Raising the Floor consortium members discussing issues and potential solutions to ensure that people with disabilities are able to fully participate and benefit from coming advances in broadband technologies. One of the most interesting points is the Commission's support for "new software enhancements that could support a network-based delivery system for assistive
technologies to allow users to call up interface features or adaptations that they need anytime, anywhere and on any device that they encounter.”
Key documents included Center contributed its expertise in response to the FCC's request for additional information on access to broadband by people with disabilities. Public comments include the following:
- Oct. 6, 2009: Comments of the RERC on Universal Interface and Information Technology to the FCC in the Matter of Broadband Accessibility for People with Disabilities - Workshop II: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations - These comments relate to the general issues of broadband accessibility, including the problems across disabilities and specific to types of disability, affordability and funding considerations, market responsiveness, universal design and assistive technology solutions, and a proposed National Public Inclusive Infrastructure.
- Jan. 6, 2010: Supplemental Comments in the Matter of Broadband Accessibility for People with Disabilities - Workshop II: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations - These comments were prepared by Raising the Floor members who support the inclusion of enhancements to our broadband infrastructure needed to enable access by people with disabilities.
Vanderheiden also presented as an invited panelist at the Silicon Flatirons Conference on the National Broadband Plan and Accessibility for People With Disabilities, held in Washington, D.C., on March 10, 2010. Speaking at this event, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said that "with only 42% of all people with disabilities in the U.S. reaping the benefits of high-speed Internet services at home, the nation must take advantage of a unique opportunity now to make this critical technology more accessible."
