FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2008

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Co-Hosts Accessible Technology Fair for Lawmakers

TIA's Efforts Targeted to Availability of Accessible Information and Communication Technologies

Washington, D.C. - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, today co-hosted an Accessible Technology Fair for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Nearly 20 companies showcased a variety of accessible services and technologies used to improve the lives of persons living with disabilities. The three-hour-long demo, held at the Rayburn House Office Building, was the result of industry collaboration of four trade associations: TIA, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), CTIA, The Wireless Association, and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC).

The event enabled members of Congress and their staffs, along with the disability community, to understand and evaluate accessible technology products, features and applications that are available today. TIA member companies Ericsson, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, RIM and Samsung exhibited accessible products and servces, including voice recognition and one-touch dialing for individuals with sight or mobility impairment, new visual displays, hearing aid compatibility for the hearing impaired, real-time Instant Message (IM) and closed captioning on converter boxes. The Tech Fair also educated lawmakers on current efforts to incorporate accessibility into emerging technologies, such as developing standards for real-time text (RTT), hearing-aid compatibility for Wi-Fi and VoIP phones and closed captioning for Web video.

At the event, TIA unveiled a new mark that identifies for consumers telephones compliant with TIA's latest standard for reduced noise and interference when used with T-Coil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. The standard, titled TIA-1083, Telecommunications Telephone Terminal Equipment Handset Magnetic Measurement Procedures and Performance Requirements, was developed in response to consumer complaints of noise and interference when simultaneously using telephonic and audio-accessibility devices. TIA worked for more than two years with consumer organizations representing people with hearing loss and directly with individuals in the hearing loss community to develop TIA-1083 and the logo.

The Tech Fair coincides with a push by Congress, the disability community and technology industries to increase the availability of accessible information and communication technologies. Attending the event was Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet and author of draft legislation, Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, who is at the forefront of Congress' effort. The subcommittee held a hearing on a draft bill on May 1.

For more information about TIA's government affairs initiatives, please contact Danielle Coffey at dcoffey@tiaonline.org. For information about TIA, please contact Taly Walsh at twalsh@tiaonline.org.

 

About TIA
Currently in its 84^th year, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory compliance. Thousands of companies and individuals work through TIA to enhance the business environment for telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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

TIA membership enhances the ability of companies to prepare for the future of communications. TIA brings people and businesses together by helping the industry overcome technical and political barriers to communications. Visit www.tiaonline.org for details.

 

##