1 While many people still use the word "lipreading," experts consider it to be inaccurate. Speechreading is the more appropriate term for the process of understanding speech through visual perception of spoken language. For more information on speechreading see the Gallaudet University Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement at http://www.hearingresearch.org/Dr.Ross/speechreading.htm (visited 12/3/02).
2 Rehabilitation Act as amended, section 501, 29 U.S.C. § 791; section 503, 29 U.S.C. § 793; section 504, 29 U.S.C. § 794; section 508, 29 U.S.C. § 794d. Enforcement of Non-discrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
3 The FCC Order implementing Section 504 can be found in the Appendix of this document. It includes definitions of terms and rules governing access to the Commission's programs and activities.
4 29 U.S.C. § 794.
5 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
6 U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 11/1/02).
7 For more information see "Disability Rights Laws" of this Handbook.
8 Excerpted with compiler edits from Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Virtual Exhibitions, "The Disability Rights Movement," http://americanhistory.si.edu/disabilityrights/ (visited 11/1/02).
9 47 C.F.R. § 1.1803.
10 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
11 For more information see CONSIDERATIONS FOR INFORMATION ACCESS.
12 The Commission's Accessible Format Specialist can provide documents in ASCII or MSWord format.
13 For more information see BRAILLE.
14 The Commission's Accessible Format Specialist can provide documents in RealAudio or MP3 format.
15 For more information see Section 713 and Video Description.
16 For more information see ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES.
17 For more information see CAPTIONING.
18 For more information see CART.
19 For more information see SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.
20 The microphones used with the portable systems transmit only to the assistive listening devices; they will not provide amplification to the room. For more information on assistive listening devices, see ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES.
21 Some people who are deaf or hard of hearing do not use sign language. They understand speech by watching a person's face, body language, and lips. Oral interpreters are skilled in techniques of mouthing words clearly and effectively. For more information on oral interpreting, see the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at http://www.rid.org/128.pdf (visited 11/27/02).
22 Cued Speech is a phonetically based visual communication system; it is not, however, a form of sign language. In English, Cued Speech transliterators employ 8 handshapes in 4 different locations near the mouth to represent sounds used in spoken language. It is generally used as an adjunct to speechreading. For more information, see the National Cued Speech Association at http://www.cuedspeech.org/ (visited 12/2/02).
23 People who are deaf-blind generally receive information tactilely, i.e., through touch. Tactile interpreters convey information using various methods, but always in a way that relies on touch. Methods employed by tactile interpreters include using sign language (with the person who is deaf-blind resting one or both hands on the interpreters hands or wrists), using fingers to trace the letters of words in the palm of the person who is deaf-blind, and using the manual alphabet to spell words into the hand of the person who is deaf-blind. For more information on deaf-blindness, see the National Information Clearinghouse on Children Who are Deaf-Blind at http://www.tr.wou.edu/dblink/biblio.htm (visited 12/2/02).
24 Notetakers are people who take notes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Notetakers may be needed because people with significant hearing loss must look at speakers or interpreters to understand what is being said. As a result, each time they look down to record a comment, they miss information being presented.
25 A re-voicer is a person who listens to what an individual with a speech disability says, and then repeats it in clear speech.
26 A communication board can be either manual or electronic. It displays letters, pictures, and/or words. Individuals communicate by pointing to the images or words.
27 An artificial larynx is a device designed to allow an individual without a larynx to speak intelligibly. While artificial larynx design may vary, the purpose remains the same - to produce the vibrations necessary for speech.
28 Speech output devices produce computer generated speech and vary in appearance and design. They are essentially computers with speakers that include a means, such as a keyboard or touch screen/pad, for selecting the words or phrases the user would like the computer to vocalize. These devices are frequently grouped under the term, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). For more information on AAC, see the AAC Institute's research paper at http://www.aacinstitute.org/Resources/MethodsandTools/2002rateindex/paper.html (visited 12/3/02).
29 The Access Board, Accessibility Guidelines and Standards, Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS), http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm (visited 11/1/02).
30 Id., Section 1 "Purpose."
31 For additional guidelines, see, NASA Glenn Research Center: Usability Research Team, Design Guidelines, "Text, Fonts and Readability," http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/usability/textfontcss.html (visited 11/19/02).
32 UCSB Linguistics, People, Linguistics faculty, Susanna Cumming: Guides, "Word for Linguists," "Typography," "Basic Typographical Principles," http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/faculty/cumming/WordForLinguists/Typography.htm (visited 11/19/02).
33 NASA Glenn Research Center: Usability Research Team, Design Guidelines, "Text, Fonts and Readability," http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/usability/textfontcss.html (visited 11/19/02).
34 Lighthouse International, Vision Resources, Low Vision, "Making Text Visible: Designing for People with Partial Sight." http://www.lighthouse.org/print_leg.htm (visited 11/18/02).
35 Seeing, Hearing and Smelling the World: A Report from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, "Breaking the Code of Color: Color Blindness: More Prevalent Among Males," http://www.hhmi.org/senses/b130.html (visited 11/1/02).
36 Lighthouse International, Vision Resources, Low Vision, "Effective Color Contrast: Designing for People with Partial Sight and Color Deficiencies," (visited 11/18/02). Website: www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm
37 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
38 Id.
39 Federally recognized employee organizations include groups such as BIG (Blacks in Government) and FAPAC (Federal Asian Pacific American Council).
40 Access for federal employees with disabilities is addressed in Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 791, and implementing regulation, 29 C.F.R. §1614.203. The Commission's Office of Workplace Diversity has responsibility for Section 501 issues.
41 47 C.F.R. § 1.1830(b)(3)-(6).
42 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
43 If services have already been arranged for a meeting that must be rescheduled, please notify the Audio Visual Center staff as soon as possible. The Commission is obligated to pay in full for services canceled without appropriate advanced notice.
44 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
45 With advance notice to the Audio Visual Center, FCC staff can request that captioned text of an event be saved in MSWord format for use as reference material. Such text files are generally distributed by the Audio Visual Center staff within 2 business days of the event and are intended for internal use.
46 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
47 Id.
48 Id.
49 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
50 If services have already been arranged for a meeting that must be rescheduled, please notify the Audio Visual Center staff as soon as possible. The Commission is obligated to pay in full for services canceled with less than 48 hours notice.
51 For specific Security contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
52 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
53 For specific Security contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
54 If services have already been arranged for a meeting that must be rescheduled, please notify the Audio Visual Center staff as soon as possible. The Commission is obligated to pay in full for services canceled without appropriate advanced notice.
55 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
56 For more information on media used during presentations, see the section on "Hosting Accessible Meetings and Events -- Audio and Visual Media". For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
57 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
58 For specific Security contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
59 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
60 For specific Security contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
61 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
62 In this section, the words, "meeting" and "event" will be used interchangeably to indicate assemblies under the auspices of the FCC.
63 47 C.F.R. § 1.1830(a).
64 Audio/visual presentations can include, but are not limited to, the following: video presentations; audio clips; slides; overhead transparencies; PowerPoint or similar electronic presentations; diagrams or writing displayed on a poster, flipchart, whiteboard, or chalkboard.
65 For specific FCC University contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
66 29 U.S.C. § 794.
67 47 C.F.R. § 1.1801-1.1870.
68 If consumers able to use a standard telephone are given contact numbers that are more specific than the general 1-888-ASK-FCC, then consumers who are deaf and hard of hearing must be given comparably specific contact numbers.
69 Staff may notice that some messages received via TTY are written in non-standard English. This is because English is not a first language for many people who are deaf.
70 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
71 The Federal government maintains a separate relay service called the Federal Relay Service (FRS). FRS was established under Public Law 100 542, the Telecommunications Accessibility Act of 1988. It uses the Federal Telecommunication System (FTS2001), rather than commercial telephone networks, and may be used by Federal employees or the general public attempting to access Federal government resources. [From General Service Administration, Federal Relay Service (FRS),
"What is the FRS?" http://www.fts.gsa.gov/frs/whatisfrs.htm (visited 11/7/02) and
"Why Use the FRS?" http://www.fts.gsa.gov/frs/whyfrs.htm (visited 11/7/02).]
72 47 U.S.C. § 225; Implementing Regulations: 47 C.F.R. § 64.601 et seq. (Title IV, FCC).
73 For calls placed from the FCC, dial 9 first to get an outside line, then dial 711.
74 47 C.F.R. § 1.1801-1.1870.
75 47 C.F.R. § 1.1803.
76 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
77 47 C.F.R. § 1.1801-1.1870.
78 47 C.F.R. § 1.1803.
79 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
80 Send ALL braille documents to the Accessible Format Specialist. He will determine if the form of braille used can be transcribed.
81 Individuals may become certified braille transcribers by successfully completing the Library of Congress' certification program. For more information about the Library of Congress Braille Certification Program, contact the National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Braille Development Section, http://www.loc.gov/nls/bds.html (visited 11/1/02).
82 47 C.F.R. § 1.1801-1.1870.
83 47 C.F.R. § 1.1803.
84 For specific contact names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, see REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS.
85 Throughout this document, the term American Sign Language or ASL should be understood to include all ASL cognates that are generally recognized in the United States.
86 "Fully certified sign language interpreters" is intended to mean interpreters holding the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certificate of Interpretation (CI), the RID Certificate of Transliteration (CT), the RID Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC), or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Level IV or V Certification.
87 29 U.S.C. § 701-797.
88 29 U.S.C. § 794.
89 Excerpted and summarized from U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
90 FCC 87-108, General Docket No. 84-533.
91 Order ___, 47 C.F.R. 1.1801 et seq.
92 29 U.S.C. § 791; Implementing Regulations: 29 C.F.R. § 1613.203.
93 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
94 29 U.S.C. § 793; Implementing Regulations: 41 C.F.R. Part 60-741.
95 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
96 29 U.S.C. § 794d.
97 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
98 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
99 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
100 Implementing regulation: 29 C.F.R. Parts 1630, 1602 (Title I, EEOC).
101 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
102 Implementing Regulations: 28 C.F.R. Part 35 (Title II, Department of Justice); 49 C.F.R. Parts 27, 37, 38 (Title II, III, Department of Transportation).
103 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
104 Implementing Regulations: 28 C.F.R. Part 35 (Title II, Department of Justice); 49 C.F.R. Parts 27, 37, 38 (Title II, III, Department of Transportation).
105 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
106 Implementing Regulations:49 C.F.R. Parts 27, 37, 38 (Title II, III, Department of Transportation); 28 C.F.R. Part 36 (Title III, Department of Justice).
107 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
108 Implementing Regulations: 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.601 et seq. (Title IV, FCC).
109 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
110 See also "Telecommunications Act, Section 225".
111 42 U.S.C. §§ 4151 et seq.; Implementing Regulations: 41 C.F.R. Subpart 101-19.6.
112 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
113 47 U.S.C. § 255, 251(a)(2).
114 From U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, "A Guide to Disability Rights Laws," http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm (visited 10/31/02).
115 See also "ADA Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services.
116 47 U.S.C. § 613.
117 47 U.S.C. § 613(f).
118 47 C.F.R. § 79.1.
119 47 C.F.R. § 79.3.
120 Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. v. FCC, 309 F.3d 796 (D.C. Cir. 2002).
121 47 U.S.C. § 303, 330.
122 47 U.S.C. § 610.
123 47 C.F.R. §§ 68.316, 68.317.
124 U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, "Introduction to SIPP," http://www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/overview.html (visited 11/1/02).
125 Data in this chart was gathered from: U.S. Census Bureau, "Disability," Americans with Disabilities: 1997 (P70-73), http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disable/sipp/disab97/ds97t2.html (visited 11/1/02).
126 Extracted, with compiler additions, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Disability Services, "Disability Terminology," http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/SDS/disterm.html (visited 11/1/02).
127 Excerpted, with compiler revisions, from a list compiled from many sources by Karen Meyer of the National Center for Access Unlimited, a joint venture of the United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc. and Adaptive Environments Center, Inc. http://www2.ucsc.edu/ada/ADAhints.html (visited 10/31/02).
128 Excerpted with compiler edits from American Foundation for the Blind, Information Center, "Sensitivity to Blindness and Visual Impairments," http://www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=911 (visited 11/1/02).
129 Excerpted with compiler edits from University of Kentucky, Engaging Differences Project, "Etiquette: Someone who has a Speech Impairment," http://www.uky.edu/TLC/grants/uk_ed/interactiontips6.html (visited 11/1/02).
130 Excerpted from Marta Vidal, "New Study On Fatigue Confirms Need for Working In Teams," Views, Volume 14, Issue 6, June 1997, pages 1, 43-45.
131 References:
Michelsen, Patricia. "Court Interpreting," The Court Management & Administration Report, 3:10-16, 1992.
Obst, Harry. Letter to Mr. Edward Bava, District Court Administration Division, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Washington, DC. June 11, 1996.
132 Excerpted, with compiler additions, from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), "RID's Code of Ethics," http://www.rid.org/coe.html (visited 11/2/02).
133 Excerpted with compiler edits from Association of Science-Technology Centers, Accessible Practices, Best Practices, "Live and Recorded Media: Assistive Listening Devices," http://www.astc.org/resource/access/medald.htm (visited 11/1/02).
134 The Commission is equipped with fixed FM assistive listening systems in the Commission Meeting Room and in Conference Room 1 on the 8th floor. In addition, there are 2 portable FM systems that can be used throughout the building and at remote locations. The systems are outfitted with microphones, earphones, and neckloops. (The microphones used with the portable systems transmit only to the assistive listening devices; they will not provide amplification to the room.)
135 Excerpted with compiler additions from the National Court Reporters Association, CART Provider's Manual, http://cart.ncraonline.org/manual/index.html (visited 11/1/02).
136 First and second paragraphs excerpted with compiler additions from Association of Science-Technology Centers, Accessible Practices, Best Practices, "Live and Recorded Media: Captioning," http://www.astc.org/resource/access/medcaption.htm (visited 11/2/02).
137 Third and fourth paragraphs excerpted with compiler additions from Closed Captioning FAQ, "Captioning Overview: What Are Captions?" http://www.robson.org/capfaq/overview.html (visited 11/2/02).
138 Excerpted with compiler additions from Closed Captioning FAQ, "Closed Captioning FAQs: Caption Styles," http://www.robson.org/capfaq/look.html (visited 11/2/02).
139 Excerpted with compiler additions from Closed Captioning FAQ, "Online (Live) Captioning: How Are Realtime Captions Generated," http://www.robson.org/capfaq/online.html (visited 11/1/02).
140 Excerpted with compiler additions from Media Access Group (The Caption Center), Resources, "Solving Caption Problems," http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/resources/guides/mag_guide_vol9.html (visited 11/1/02).
141 Excerpted with compiler edits from American Foundation for the Blind, Information Center, "What is Braille," http://www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=1248 (visited 11/1/02).
143 Excerpted with compiler additions from American Foundation for the Blind, Information Center, "Video Description," http://www.afb.org/info_document_view.asp?documentid=944 (visited 11/1/02).
144 "Audio Description" is another term often used for this service.
145 Excerpted with compiler additions from Graphic Artists Guild, "Disability Access Symbols," (symbols available in downloadable files from this site), http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php (visited 11/1/02).
146 Id.
147 Id.
148 Id.
149 FCC uses the term "Video Description."
150 Excerpted with compiler additions from Graphic Artists Guild, "Disability Access Symbols," (symbols available in downloadable files from this site), http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php (visited 11/1/02).
Second graphic ("D" with radiating arcs) from WGBH, Services for Hire, "Access Symbols," http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/hire/symbols.html (visited 11/1/02).
151 From Graphic Artists Guild, "Disability Access Symbols," (symbols available in downloadable files from this site), http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php (visited 11/1/02).
152 Excerpted with compiler additions from Closed Captioning FAQ, "Closed Captioning Overview: Why are there different icons to denote captioned programs?" http://www.robson.org/capfaq/overview.html#icons (visited 11/1/02).
153 From Graphic Artists Guild, "Disability Access Symbols," (symbols available in downloadable files from this site), http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php (visited 11/1/02).
154 Excerpted with compiler additions from Graphic Artists Guild, "Disability Access Symbols," (symbols available in downloadable files from this site), http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php (visited 11/1/02).
155 Id.
156 Excerpted from WGBH, Service for Hire, "Access Symbols," http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/hire/symbols.html (visited 11/4/02).
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