October 20.2009

Federal Communications Commission, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC
Workshop Website

Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Recommendations will continue the open discussion among the FCC and all who have a stake in the future of broadband and its accessibility for people with disabilities, including the disability community, network and service providers, equipment manufacturers, and software producers, technologists, economists, academics, representatives from trade associations and non-profits, and representatives from tribal, local, state, and federal governments.

The goal of this follow-up workshop is to clearly identify (i) accessibility and affordability barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing broadband capabilities; (ii) opportunities that broadband can present for people with disabilities; and (iii) policy recommendations that will address the barriers to broadband for people with disabilities and maximize the opportunities related to broadband for people with disabilities.

In conjunction with the panels, there will be exhibits of assistive technologies that are used by people with disabilities to access broadband technologies as well as universally designed mass market broadband technologies that can be used by people with disabilities.
Topics (Preliminary)

The following are some of the preliminary topics that will be covered at this workshop. If you would like to discuss any other topics, please send us your suggestions.

* What are the specific barriers to broadband accessibility and affordability for (i) people with sight disabilities; (ii) people with hearing disabilities; (iii) people with speech disabilities; (iv) people who are deaf blind; (v) people with mobility disabilities; and (vi) people with intellectual disabilities and social communication disabilities, including autism?

* What are the technological barriers, solutions, and costs as they relate to broadband networks, services, equipment, software and tech support that affect people with disabilities?

* What is the potential for broadband to further education, job creation/entrepreneurial activities, health care, civic participation, emergency preparedness and response, telework, social networking, and other national purposes for people with disabilities?

* What programs and services currently exist that provide or subsidize broadband equipment and broadband internet access for people with disabilities, and what lessons have been learned from these programs?

* What specific policy recommendations related to disability access should be included in the National Broadband Plan?

Can't make a trip to DC? Attend the workshop online!

You’ll need to register to attend the webinar. You’ll also need to set up the required webinar software New Window prior to the event. Also check New Window to make sure that you have the appropriate players needed to playback the UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files. The sooner your computer is properly set up, the sooner you can join the event! If you have problems joining a meeting or viewing the webinar, please contact the events administrator.