Persons with Disabilities

Approximately 42 million Americans have some degree of difficulty or inability to communicate and receive information through speech, hearing, and vision. During emergencies it is crucial that persons with disabilities have access to communications services.

For additional information including telecommunications relay service (TRS), access to telecommunications equipment and services by persons with disabilities, access to emergency information, and closed captioning, see http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/.

Bureau Contacts

Type of Contact	Primary	Secondary

Emergency Assistance	Richard Lee phone: 202-418-1104 mobile: 202-417-6559 email: Richard.Lee@fcc.gov	Allan Manuel phone: 202-418-1164 mobile: 202-391-5331 email: Allan.Manuel@fcc.gov
Technical Advice	Dr. William Lane phone: 202-418-0676 mobile: 202-355-2420 email: William.Lane@fcc.gov	Jeffery Goldthorp phone: 202-418-1096 mobile: 202-253-1595 email: Jeffery.Goldthorp@fcc.gov
Outreach	Todd Mitchell phone: 202-418-1555 mobile: 202-391-1247 email: Todd.Mitchell@fcc.gov	Robert Kenny phone: 202-418-2668 mobile: 202-355-2524 email: Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov

FCC Rules on Accessibility

FCC rules require broadcasters and cable operators to make local emergency information accessible to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to persons who are blind or have visual disabilities. This means that emergency information must be provided both aurally and in a visual format. Video programming distributors include broadcasters, cable operators, satellite television services (such as DirecTV and the Dish Network), and other multichannel video programming distributors. In addition, 9-1-1 Call Centers must be able to take calls from TTY users.

Initiatives & Coordination

CMSAAC

The Commercial Mobile Service Alert Advisory Committee was established by the FCC to explore options and develop recommendations for commercial mobile service (CMS) providers to voluntarily transmit emergency alerts to their subscribers. The CMSAAC recommendations are due to the FCC in October 2007.

Interagency Coordinating Council

The FCC participates in the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Persons with Disabilities (ICC), an initiative to help ensure that the Federal Government appropriately supports and coordinates safety and security for individuals with disabilities. We are committed to working with the Disabilities Community, federal, state and local governments, and communications service providers to promote new policies, initiatives, and programs that enhance access to the most current and efficient modes of communications for all Americans.