FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2008

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Unveils Logo for Telephones That Meet Latest Hearing-Accessibility Standard

Mark Identifies for Consumers Devices That Reduce Interference and Noise Levels When Used With T-Coil-Equipped Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

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, unveiled on May 16 to members of Congress a new logo 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.

TIA showcased the new logo at an Accessible Technology Fair on Capitol Hill co-hosted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the Cellular Telecommunication and Information Association (CTIA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC). The event provided members of Congress and their staffs an opportunity to review accessible technology products, features and applications available today as well as ongoing efforts to incorporate accessibility into emerging technologies. Tech Fair exhibitors include: Adobe, AOL, AT&T, HP, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, RIM, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and WGBH.

TIA recently issued the logo in Bulletin TSB-177, Guidelines for Making and Labeling CPE Complying with TIA TR-41 Standards as part of its accessibility campaign. TSB-177 helps hearing-impaired consumers easily identify devices compliant with TIA standard TIA-1083, Telecommunications Telephone Terminal Equipment Handset Magnetic Measurement Procedures and Performance Requirements, which was developed in response to consumer complaints of noise and interference when simultaneously using telephonic and audio-accessibility devices. TIA worked for more then 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.

Because the same need to identify compliant products may exist for other TIA standards in the future, TSB-177 has been written to provide generic guidelines for a standardized method of identifying TIA-compliant products.

For more information on TIA's role in the Tech Fair, contact Rebecca Schwartz: rschwartz@tiaonline.org. For information on the use of the new logo contact Andrew Kurtzman: akurtzman@tiaonline.org.

TSB-177 was produced by TIA Subcommittee TR-41.3 of Committee TR-41, User Premises Telecommunications Requirements.To obtain copies of TSB-177, contact IHS International at 800.525.7052 or visit http://global.ihs.com. For technical information regarding participating in the TR-41 committee, contact Ronda Coulter: rcoulter@tiaonline.org.

For media inquiries, contact Mike Snyder: msnyder@tiaonline.org.

TR-41 Committee Member Companies
CSI Telecommunications; Westell Technologies, Inc.; UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Corning Incorporated; Motorola Inc.; Industry Canada; Belden Networks Division; Telcordia Technologies; VTech Communications; Wiltec Technologies; Catena Networks; Dietrich Lockard Group, Inc.; Fluke Networks; CML Microcircuits (USA) Inc.; AST Technology Labs, Inc.; Uniden America Corporation; Tyco Electronics; Broadcom Corporation; FAL Associates; Littelfuse Inc.; ADTRAN; CommScope Network Division; Panasonic Computer Solutions Company; Cisco Systems, Inc.; Thomson Inc.; Ericsson Inc.; EMBARQ Corporation; Intel Corporation; Plantronics; Advent Instruments, Inc.; Intrado; Avaya; Berk-Tek; National Communications System; RTKL Associates Inc.; Maz-Sky Canadian International Group Inc.; U.S. Department of Commerce; Gemalto; Bourns Limited; Telcordia Technologies; Broadcom Corporation; Fultec Semiconductor Inc.; Nortel Networks; Hewlett-Packard (formerly BT&D); Telcordia Technologies; Nokia Siemens Networks; AT&T Labs; 4-WINDS LLP

 

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). Visit www.tiaonline.org for details.

 

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