MyVisionTest News Archive
Jun 23, 2008
As personal technology explodes, deaf and blind people feel left behind
Olivia Norman's fingers fly across her laptop keyboard, dexterously tapping out instant messages to friends and entering search-engine queries without committing a single typo. A minute later, she's listening intently to the voice cues that help her read e-mail and send text messages on her smartphone.
Norman is blind, so the cues help her navigate the tiny keypad and understand the words on the screen.
She can't order an on-demand movie because she can't read the on-screen menus. She had trouble setting up an online music account because the speech-synthesizing software she relies on couldn't find the right link on the Web site.
"It's a curse and a blessing at the same time," said Norman, 27, of Washington. "The Internet has revolutionized my life, but there are basic things that are still completely inaccessible."
Five years ago, the FCC set rules requiring video operators to provide "video description" services that narrate scenes. But those rules were overturned in court when movie studios argued that the FCC did not have authority to make such rules.
Last week, a Democratic congressman introduced legislation to restore those requirements and bring other big changes to the way Internet phone and video are designed.
"Now we're full-blown into this digital era, and we, in general, need to upgrade the laws that ensure that there is accessibility for all the people who use these new technologies," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet.
The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., and known as "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008" (H.R. 6320), calls for new rules for devices that display video programming. Federal law requires all TV sets with screens larger than 13 inches to display closed captions. Under the new legislation, all gadgets from MP3 players to cell phones would be required to show captions.
Devices would also have to provide video description services and read aloud scrolling emergency messages. On-screen menus would have to be usable by people with disabilities.
In addition, Markey's bill would extend existing Internet phone service requirements to other services that let users exchange voice, text or video communications over the Internet.
Various advocates of people with disabilities have lined up in support of the bill, arguing that it's time that the law spelled out technology standards that consider the needs of consumers with visual or hearing impairments.
Tech industry groups say that such a list of requirements would dampen the innovation that's already making these products and services available and more accessible. They also argue that new regulations will drive up the price of products for all consumers.
"No one thought about these things five years ago, and yet these technologies are coming down the pike on their own, and we need to make sure we don't stifle that growth," said Dane Snowden, vice president of state and external affairs for CTIA, the wireless industry's main lobby group in Washington.
Some companies have created programs that cater to those who are deaf or blind. FeedRoom, a New York company, has created a video player that can display captions. Audiopoint Inc., in Rockville, Md., has a text-to-speech program that reads e-mail and news alerts over the phone.
But the software can cost hundreds of dollars, and compatible devices can cost in the thousands, said Karen Peltz Strauss, of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology.
She said she thinks federal action would help make the technologies more affordable.
Vincent Morris, communications director for the Information Technology Industry Council, argued that government action would also lead to higher prices for all consumers.
"Our goal would be to craft something that works for the broadest number of people, and we're not convinced this bill is a good example of that," he said.
Read more...
Austin American-Statesman
Tags: computers, cell phone, accessibility
Olivia Norman's fingers fly across her laptop keyboard, dexterously tapping out instant messages to friends and entering search-engine queries without committing a single typo. A minute later, she's listening intently to the voice cues that help her read e-mail and send text messages on her smartphone. Norman is blind, so the cues help her navigate the tiny keypad and understand the words on the screen.
"It's a curse and a blessing at the same time," said Norman, 27, of Washington. "The Internet has revolutionized my life, but there are basic things that are still completely inaccessible."
Five years ago, the FCC set rules requiring video operators to provide "video description" services that narrate scenes. But those rules were overturned in court when movie studios argued that the FCC did not have authority to make such rules.
Last week, a Democratic congressman introduced legislation to restore those requirements and bring other big changes to the way Internet phone and video are designed.
"Now we're full-blown into this digital era, and we, in general, need to upgrade the laws that ensure that there is accessibility for all the people who use these new technologies," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet.
The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., and known as "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008" (H.R. 6320), calls for new rules for devices that display video programming. Federal law requires all TV sets with screens larger than 13 inches to display closed captions. Under the new legislation, all gadgets from MP3 players to cell phones would be required to show captions.
Devices would also have to provide video description services and read aloud scrolling emergency messages. On-screen menus would have to be usable by people with disabilities.
In addition, Markey's bill would extend existing Internet phone service requirements to other services that let users exchange voice, text or video communications over the Internet.
Various advocates of people with disabilities have lined up in support of the bill, arguing that it's time that the law spelled out technology standards that consider the needs of consumers with visual or hearing impairments.
Tech industry groups say that such a list of requirements would dampen the innovation that's already making these products and services available and more accessible. They also argue that new regulations will drive up the price of products for all consumers.
"No one thought about these things five years ago, and yet these technologies are coming down the pike on their own, and we need to make sure we don't stifle that growth," said Dane Snowden, vice president of state and external affairs for CTIA, the wireless industry's main lobby group in Washington.
Some companies have created programs that cater to those who are deaf or blind. FeedRoom, a New York company, has created a video player that can display captions. Audiopoint Inc., in Rockville, Md., has a text-to-speech program that reads e-mail and news alerts over the phone.
But the software can cost hundreds of dollars, and compatible devices can cost in the thousands, said Karen Peltz Strauss, of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology.
She said she thinks federal action would help make the technologies more affordable.
Vincent Morris, communications director for the Information Technology Industry Council, argued that government action would also lead to higher prices for all consumers.
"Our goal would be to craft something that works for the broadest number of people, and we're not convinced this bill is a good example of that," he said.
Read more...
Austin American-Statesman
