FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2010

TIA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act

TIA Hails Obama Administration's Renewal of a Commitment to Require Access to the Federal Government's Electronic and Information Technology for People With Disabilities

Washington, D.C. - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) today, attended a showcase event at the White House.

TIA applauds the Obama Administration for renewing a commitment to Section 508 of the landmark legislation, which requires access to the federal government's electronic and information technology for people with disabilities. Today's announcement focused on ensuring better agency accountability and implementation of requirements of Section 508.

"Passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act was a watershed moment for America," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "We thank President Obama for giving this historic legislation the recognition it deserves. We also thank those who 20 years ago enacted this law to give all Americans the right to accessible communications technology."

Historically, TIA and the companies it represents have strongly supported government efforts to provide access to information and communications technology for Americans with disabilities through advocacy efforts in Washington and innovative technology standards development.

TIA recently submitted comments to the U.S. Access Board providing technical and substantive input for the agency's ongoing refresh of accessibility standards for communications technologies under Section 508 and Section 255 of the Communications Act.

TIA is currently working with the Senate Commerce Committee and the Communications Subcommittee on the Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act to ensure that the bill meets the dual goals of ensuring the continued availability of accessible technology without hampering the technological innovation that is the hallmark of ICT industry.

TIA is also supportive of the launch of the FCC's Accessibility and Innovation Forum, recently submitting recommendations for:

• a voluntary online clearinghouse to act as a portal to direct consumers to currently available accessible technologies via an accessible Web site
• a Chairman's award focused on positive on-going innovations that can act as solutions to accessible communications challenges
• ongoing workshops, field events, and facilitated dialogues to be used to promote innovative accessibility solutions, which should be collocated with events "outside the Beltway" to encourage participation from a broader community

TIA has also worked closely with the Hearing Loss Association of American and Gallaudet University to develop the TIA-1083 standard that reduces noise and interference in digital cordless phones when used by people with T-Coil-equipped hearing aids or Cochlear implants. The standard has been updated to apply to newer technologies with digital interfaces, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and USB.

"TIA looks forward to working closely with the Administration and the Congress as we continue the important work on accessible technology legislation and policy to improve quality of life for all Americans," said Seiffert.

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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 from includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, OneChip Photonics, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., Walker & Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates and Telcordia Technologies.

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