Welcome to the Federal Communications Commission's Disabilities Issues Task Force Home Page. As Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and of the Disabilities Issues Task Force, I am committed to ensuring that the communications revolution does not become segregated, between "haves" and "have nots". People with disabilities must have equal access to the information age; the Federal Communications Commission has an obligation to ensure that telecommunications are accessible and usable to the 54 million Americans with disabilities. It is my intention to ensure that rules are implemented that bring real changes to the lives of persons with disabilities.

I believe our work has begun to pay off, as positive steps toward the development of communications access technologies have been made and implemented. I have brought the needs of persons with disabilities to the forefront of my own and the FCC=s agenda, but I need your help. Community participation is crucial to effective policymaking and I need to hear from you. Please let me know how recent changes in access to communications technology has benefited your life. Equal access to communications technology, by breaking down barriers and accelerating progress towards full participation, is critical to our nation's success.

I have appointed Meryl Icove to be the Director of the Disabilities Issues Task Force. I encourage you to contact her if you have any concerns, questions, suggestions or ideas on how I can advance the opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

FCC Chairman William Kennard

Chairman Kennard addresses the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) at Washington, DC, March 19, 1999.
[ Chairman Kennard’s remarks to CFA, ASCII Text Format ]
[ Chairman Kennard’s remarks to CFA, WordPerfect Format ]

Chairman Kennard’s Letter to the Industry Cooperation on Standards and Conformity Assessment (ICSCA) regarding telecommunications access for individuals with disabilities, dated January 14, 1999.
[ Chairman Kennard’s Letter to ICSCA, ASCII Text Format ]
[ Chairman Kennard’s Letter to ICSCA, WordPerfect Format ]

Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Definition of Primary Lines, adopted February 22, 1999; released March 10, 1999. (CC Docket No. 97-181; FCC 99-28)
[ Primary Lines R&O and FNPRM, ASCII Text Format ]
[ Primary Lines R&O and FNPRM, WordPerfect Format ]

FCC requests proposals for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Administrator and comments on the authorization of an additional TRS Advisory Committee Member to represent the Speech-disabled community, released February 4, 1999. (DA 99-297)
[ DA 99-297, ASCII Text Format | DA 99-297, WordPerfect Format ]

Report on Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion, and Possible Steps to Accelerate Such Deployment Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, adopted January 28, 1999; released February 2, 1999. (CC Docket No. 98-146)
[ CC Docket 98-146, ASCII Text Format ]

[ CC Docket 98-146, WordPerfect Format ]

Paragraphs 75 to 77 of CC Docket 98-146 are of special interest to individuals with disabilities
[ CC Docket 98-146, Paragraphs 75-77, ASCII Text Format ]
[ CC Docket 98-146, Paragraphs 75-77, WordPerfect Format ]

Chairman's 1999 Agenda Lists Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities as a Top Priority.

Temporary waiver of Commission rules to all parties that filed waiver petitions effective January 1, 1999. [ Text | WordPerfect ]

1999 Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund Order (DA 98-2481, CC Docket No. 90-571). [ Text | WordPerfect | Zip - includes attachments | Acrobat - includes attachments | Related Links ]

Chairman Kennard Addresses Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. Gala, at Gallaudet University.
[ Remarks | Letter of Reaction to Remarks | Photograph with Description ]

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau releases Order extending the suspension of E911-TTY compatibility through Dec. 31, 1998 and establishing a waiver mechanism for carriers. Adopted and released Nov. 13, 1998. [ Text Version | WordPerfect Version ]

Letter from FCC Chairman Kennard to CEOs of carriers concerning E911-TTY compatibility.

Chairman Kennard Recognizes Disability Awareness Month with Column.

Common Carrier Bureau Announces Ex Parte Meeting Schedule on Advanced Services Rulemaking Proceeding, CC Docket No. 98-147.

Reply Comments and Comments are available from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Implementation of Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities.

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Releases Order September 30, 1998 Denying CTIA and PCIA's Request for Extension by 3 Months on E911-TTY Compatibility. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Instead Grants a More Limited Suspension of the Enforcement Rules. [ Text Version | WordPerfect Version ]

Commission Adopts Modifications to Closed Captioning Rules for Video Programming (FCC 98-236, MM Docket No. 95-176) . [ Text | WordPerfect | Acrobat | News Release | Kennard Statement ]

Comments in the Matter of Implementation of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review -- Amendment of Part 97 of the Commission's Amateur Service Rules

Chairman Kennard's Statement on FCC's Actions to Promote Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Services Will Benefit People with Disabilities.

Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that Proposes Actions to Promote the Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Services By All Providers. Adopted August 6, 1998. Released August 7, 1998. Comments due September 21, 1998. Reply comments due October 31, 1998. [ Text | WordPerfect - without charts | Acrobat - with charts | Appendix B Chart | Appendix C Chart | Description of Charts ]

Comments and Reply Comments on FCC's Proposed Rules to Promote Access to Telecommunications Services and Equipment to Americans with Disabilities (WT Docket No. 96-198, FCC 98 -55).

6/2/98 Common Carrier Bureau Announces Electronic Option for Filing Comments and Reply Comments in Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Proceeding, (CC Docket No. 98-67).

Commission Proposes Ways to Improve Telecommunications Relay Services, Extend Services to More People With Disabilities (CC Docket No. 98-67, FCC 98-90).
[ WordPerfect Version | Acrobat Version | News Release ]

FCC Proposes Rules to Promote Access to Telecommunications Services and Equipment to Americans with Disabilities.
(WT Docket No. 96-198, FCC 98-55)

Chairman Kennard Reiterates Commitment to Ensure that Telecom Revolution Benefits All Americans.
[ Speech | News Release ]