[accesscomp] ACB testifies on pending legislation
- From: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:33 -0700
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
Phone: (202) 467-5081
E-mail: ebridges@xxxxxxx
ACB to Testify at Senate Hearing Regarding Increasing Access to Media for
People with Disabilities
Arlington, Va., May 13, 2013 - Tomorrow the U.S. Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) will hold a hearing to explore ways to
increase the accessibility of entertainment through a host of devices and
platforms.
"We are living in an era of technological convergence that is truly
transformative. There is much advocacy to be done in order to insure that these
advancements are realized by the blind community. ACB appreciates Sen. Harkin
for his leadership in raising the visibility of these issues," said Mitch
Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB).
Brian Charlson, chair of ACB's Information Access Committee, will provide
testimony that informs the public of everyday examples of how Sen. Harkin's two
pieces of legislation -- S. 555, the Captioning and Image Narration to Enhance
Movie Accessibility Act and S. 556, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act --
could improve access to in-flight entertainment systems.
"Airlines are rapidly deploying touch-screen technologies as part of their
in-flight entertainment experience. While this technology is considered cutting
edge, the airlines have not implemented these technologies with me in mind. In
fact, on an increasing number of airplanes the flight attendant call button is
now located on the inaccessible screen and is no longer a button in the
ceiling," remarked Charlson.
Additionally, the hearing will cover access to movies and television
programming on the Internet that aren't accessible for individuals who are
blind or visually impaired.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization of
blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind
Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States, the
organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually impaired
Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society. For more
information, visit www.acb.org; write to American Council of the Blind, 2200
Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201; phone (202) 467-5081; or fax
(703) 465-5085.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
Email: boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx
Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org
You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers to
us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at the
above address.
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