FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2010

TIA Commends FCC for Addressing Accessibility in National Broadband Plan

AInnovation and Industry/Government Collaboration Are Keys to Delivering Affordable, Accessible Technology to People with Disabilities

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its work to address the accessibility and affordability barriers faced by people with disabilities as part of the National Broadband Plan now being developed by the FCC for Congress.

A conference held today brought together government officials, including FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, consumers with disabilities, industry groups, and academics to discuss how to fulfill Congress’s vision that all Americans, including people with disabilities, share fully in the benefits of broadband.

Discussion centered on the National Broadband Plan’s working recommendations and exploration of the role of innovation; the need for legal, policy, and regulatory changes; and the importance of collaborative problem-solving and open government processes. The technologies manufactured by TIA member companies embrace the Plan’s goal of utilizing innovation to drive accessibility.

"The information and communications technology industry is driven by innovation, which is key to creating technology that is affordable and accessible to people with disabilities," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "TIA recognizes the importance of a focused, cooperative effort by industry and government to deliver accessible broadband-enabled technologies. That’s why we support a Broadband Accessibility Working Group lead by the Executive Branch."

Over the years, TIA has worked consistently with the disability community, the FCC and the United States Congress on the issue of accessible technology. For example, as the National Broadband Plan has been developed, TIA has filed comments and met with National Broadband Plan staff, and TIA President Grant Seiffert participated in the policy roundtable at the FCC October 20, 2009 workshop on these issues. TIA looks forward to continuing this important work to bring the benefits of broadband technology to all Americans.

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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