Disability Advisory Committee Meeting
The Committee was established in December 2014 to make recommendations to the Commission on a wide array of disability matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities in proceedings before the Commission. The Committee has established subcommittees to consider the following five issues:
- Communications Subcommittee: access to communications services and equipment (including advanced communications, telecommunications, and hearing aid compatibility);
- Emergency Communications Subcommittee: Next Generation 911 and emergency alerting (Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and Wireless Alert (WEA));
- Relay/Equipment Distribution Subcommittee: telecommunications relay services and the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program;
- Technology Transitions Subcommittee: issues relating to technology transitions underway in our nation’s communication networks, such as the transition from services running on copper to new, all-Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia networks; and
- Video Programming Subcommittee: video programming access (including closed captioning, video description, access to video programming apparatus, and access to televised emergency information).
At its December 6, 2016 meeting, the Committee is expected to receive and consider reports and recommendations from its subcommittees, which may include:
- A report on the activities of its Communications Subcommittee;
- A report on the activities of its Emergency Communications Subcommittee;
- A report and recommendations from its Relay & Equipment Distribution Subcommittee regarding:
- videomail-to-text services for Video Relay Services consumers who are Deaf-Blind;
- mobile device support for USB connectivity to Braille displays;
- best practices for the development and testing of Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) devices;
- the portability of ten-digit telephone numbers and associated features from one IP-enabled relay provider to another;
- A report and recommendation from its Technology Transitions Subcommittee regarding the accessibility of the Internet of Things; and
- A report and recommendation from its Video Programming Subcommittee on video description services.
The Committee will also receive presentations, including presentations from Commission staff on recent activities, and a presentation on the future of telecommunications, and will discuss new issues for its consideration. In addition, a reserved amount of time will be available on the agenda for comments and inquiries from the public. The public may comment or ask questions of presenters via the email address livequestions@fcc.gov. These comments or questions will be addressed during the public comment period.
DAC Recommendations
- Disability Advisory Committee Recommendation on Number Portability
Word PDF - Disability Advisory Committee Recommendation to the Commission on Video to Text
Word PDF - Disability Advisory Committee Recommendation to the Commission on Internet of Things
Word PDF
Accessibility and Accomodations
The meeting site is fully accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Sign language interpreters, open captioning, and assistive listening devices will be provided on site. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. If making a request for an accommodation, please include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible by sending an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. The meeting will be webcast with open captioning, at www.fcc.gov/live.
For further information contact: Elaine Gardner, DAC Designated Federal Officer, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, (202) 418-0581 (voice); email: DAC@fcc.gov.
Meeting minutes will be available for public inspection on the Committee's website at http://www.fcc.gov/disability-advisory-committee.
Meeting Minutes