Communications Union Wants Disability Access in National Broadband Plan

COAT applauds the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for mentioning the access needs of people with disabilities when they filed comments January 27, 2010, at the FCC for the National Broadband Plan. The plan should go to the U.S. Congress March 16, 2010.

CWA's Comments noted the adoption gap, or lack of access or use of broadband, by people with disabiities and recommended that the FCC address disability access requirements alongside service quality, public safety, consumer protection and other requirements.

CWA also recommended the current use of Universal Service Funds for low-income people (e.g., the Lifeline Link Up program) be extended to broadband subscribers. A similar provision is proposed in Section 105 of H.R. 3101, for low income people with disabilities.

CWA has over 700,000 members nationwide and has worked with COAT affiliate AAPD's Technology Policy Initiative to develop a Fact Sheet about high speed Internet and people with disabilities. To test your computer internet speed go to CWA's Speed Matters website. Is your connection as fast as you thought?

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