NEWS                                                         March 17, 1995

      FCC ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF DISABILITIES ISSUES TASK FORCE


     FCC Chairman Reed E. Hundt has announced the establishment at the Commission of
a Disabilities Issues Task Force to ensure that the interests of people with disabilities are
represented and understood at the Commission and in the industries it regulates. 

     The task force is composed of one person from each Bureau and Office.  It reports
directly to the Disabilities Commissioner.  Chairman Hundt has  named himself to serve as
the first Disabilities Commissioner.  He pledged to "bring the full power of the Chairman's
Office to bear on this project." 

     The Task Force will serve as a monitor and educator, ensuring that Commission and
industry actions are in the best interests of the disability community and that they understand
the needs and interests of the people with disabilities.  

     The composition of the Task Force, which brings together individuals from all over
the Commission, will ensure a vigorous exchange of information from the disablity
community to the Bureaus and vice versa.

                    
                                  - FCC -