AAPD Chief: Bring Us the Electronic Ramps We Desperately Need to Access and Use New Communications

Statement of the American Association of People with Disabilities on the Bi-Partisan Effort to Make 21st Century Technologies Accessible to All

July 22, 2010, Washington, D.C.—AAPD applauds the House Energy & Commerce Committee for its vote yesterday for H.R. 3101, the "Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010."  Less than a week away from the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the measure would update the nation’s communications laws to ensure that new TV and phone technologies are accessible to people with disabilities.

“We are pleased with the bi-partisan effort lead by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the committee, and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), the original sponsor and champion of H.R. 3101,” said Andrew Imparato, President & CEO of AAPD. “As it was in 1990 with the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability policy can and should be bi-partisan. We urge the U.S. Senate to consider H.R. 3101 in the same light and to bring us the electronic ramps we desperately need to access and use all the new communication devices and services. ”

Once signed into law, this legislation will greatly improve the lives of millions of people with hearing, vision and other disabilities by ensuring expanded access to the technologies of the 21st century, including television, the Internet, and smart phones.

Advocates expect the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the bill next week on the 20th anniversary of the ADA as an extension to and a fitting commemoration of this landmark civil rights law. Once passed by the full House, advocates will ask the Senate to promptly pass H.R. 3101.