Please unsubscribe this address from your list. Thank You. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Acosta To: Bob Acosta Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 7:00 PM Subject: [accesscomp] ACB testifies on pending legislation 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. ### __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 8329 (20130513) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 8329 (20130513) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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.