NEWS
                                                        February 12, 1996
                                                                         
                                                                         
     ANDREW L. FIRTH JOINS COMMON CARRIER BUREAU & FCC DISABILITIES
        ISSUES TASK FORCE AS ADVISOR ON DISABILITY ACCESS ISSUES
                                    
       Andrew L. Firth has joined the Network Services Division, Common Carrier Bureau as
a staff attorney.  In addition to working on matters before the Network Services Division, Mr.
Firth will also serve as an advisor to the Disabilities Issues Task Force on telecommunications
access issues affecting individuals with disabilities.

       Mr. Firth, who is deaf, was formerly with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
and the National Center for Law and Deafness (NCLD).  He received his J.D. from Notre Dame
Law School and his B.A. from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.  At NAD and NCLD,
he specialized in legal issues and policies affecting persons with disabilities, including the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessible telecommunications issues.

       "Andy's experience and insight on disability issues, as well as his own perspectives as
a person with a disability, will be a tremendous asset to the FCC and the Task Force," said Linda
Dubroof, Deputy Chief, Network Services Division, and the Director of the Disabilities Issues
Task Force. 

       The Disabilities Issues Task Force, formed in March 1995 by Chairman Hundt, has
representatives from every Bureau and Office of the FCC.  The Task Force ensures that the FCC
takes steps to promote access to telecommunications for individuals with disabilities, wherever
possible.  The Task Force is working on significant accessibility issues, including closed-
captioning, telecommunications relay services (TRS), hearing-aid compatibility, and universal
design of telecommunications equipment.  The Task Force is also at work on a video training
project for FCC employees.  

     -FCC-