ACTION ALERT! COAT Bill Introduced
On Friday afternoon, June 26, 2009 Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced comprehensive legislation to ensure that people with disabilities have access to Internet-based telecommunications and video programming technologies. The bill, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101), would–
➢ require that mobile and other Internet-based telecommunications devices and equipment be fully hearing aid compatible, have accessible user interfaces, and offer people with disabilities use of a full range of text messaging and other popular services that are currently largely inaccessible;
➢ provide people who are deaf-blind with vital but costly technologies they need to communicate electronically;
➢ establish a process and time table for the provision of real-time text capability;
➢ clarify existing relay-to-relay, Lifeline and Linkup service requirements to ensure their relevance to the real world communications needs of people with disabilities;
➢ restore the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) modest video description rules and unambiguously establish the FCC’s current and ongoing authority to expand such regulations;
➢ require emergency announcements and similar information to be accessible to people with disabilities through audible presentation of on-screen alerts;
➢ ensure that video programming offered via the Internet will be both captioned and described;
➢ call for all devices that receive and playback video programming to employ accessible user interfaces and allow ready access to captioning and description;
➢ strengthen consumers’ ability to enforce their rights to communications and video accessibility through the establishment of a clearinghouse of information about service and equipment accessibility and usability, a meaningful FCC complaint process that holds industry accountable for their accessibility obligations, and judicial review of FCC action to ensure FCC accountability.
For Action Steps and more information about the bill: http://www.coataccess.org/node/4011
- Thanks to NVRC, Fairfax
REMINDER: New Law on Text Messaging While Driving
Filed under: Cell Phones, Mobile Pagers, Special Announcements
NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2009
NO TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING IN VIRGINIA!
On March 30, 2009 Virginia became the ninth state to ban texting while driving when Governor Tim Kaine signed into law House Bill 1876. The law becomes effective July 1, 2009. Drivers will not be allowed to use wireless communication devices to send text messages except in cases of emergency.
Here is the language in House Bill 1876:
Text messaging and emailing while driving.
Prohibits operation of a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communications device to manually enter multiple letters or text or to read a text message. This bill provides exemptions for using global positioning systems (GPS), reading caller identification information, and using a wireless telecommunications device to report an emergency. The provisions of this bill do not apply to operators of emergency vehicles.
The first violation of the new law is a traffic infraction punishable by a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second or any additional offenses.
For more information: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=091&typ=bil&val=HB1876
- Thanks to NVRC, Fairfax
What About Hands-Free Cell Phones in Virginia?
Question and comment from an NVRC News reader after reading about the new Text Messaging law: Did Virginia pass legislation for users of cell phones requiring hands free devices? I think sometimes these people are oblivious and a bigger nuisance on the roads.
Answer found at http://handsfreeinfo.com:
Virginia: Cell phone laws, legislation
Cell phone, text messaging news: A ban on text messaging goes into effect July 1. All legislation regarding handheld cell phones is dead for 2009.
Current prohibitions:
Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using cell phones or text messaging.
All drivers will be banned from text messaging effective July 1.
School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones or text messaging
2009 legislation:
HB 1876: Will prohibit text messaging while operating a motor vehicle. Takes effect July 1. Approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Tim Kaine on March 30.
SB 1227: Would ban drivers with provisional licenses from talking or texting on cell phones, regardless of whether a hands-free device is employed. Makes violations a primary offense. Tabled by a House subcommitee on Feb. 19 after being approved by the full Senate on Feb. 9.
SB 874 – Would require that drivers use hands-free accessories when making cell phone calls. Passed by the Senate Transportation Committee on Jan. 22, 2009, in amended form, but then defeated in the Courts of Justice on a tight vote. Incorporated SB 996.
HB 1615 – Delegate Algie Howell, D-Norfolk, has prefiled legislation to the 2009 General Assembly that would ban text messaging while driving. The ban would extend to bicycles and mopeds. Incorporated into HB 1876, above.
HB 1659 – Would prohibit use of wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle, including bicycles and mopeds, whether handheld or not. Also from Howell. Died in committee on Feb. 10.
HB 1955: Would outlaw motorists’ use of handheld phones. Tabled in committee.
Virginia cell phone, texting legislation notes:
Delegate John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, is the author of the text messaging legislation HB 1876. Fines for those who drive and text will be $20 and then $50 for subsequent offenses.
A spokesman for AAA told the Examiner that the secondary status of the new texting law – meaning police would have to have another, primary reason for pulling over drivers – makes it “tantamount to telling people you can do it.” Still, he called it a “moral victory.”
Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria, saw her cell phone legislation clear committee on a 9-6 vote before losing in the Courts of Justice on a 7-6 vote. Ticer’s bill was combined with SB 966 from Sen. Harry B. Blevins, R-Chesapeake.
Delegate Bobby Mathieson, D-Virginia Beach, a veteran of the cell phone wars, saw his HB 1955 die in committee on Feb. 10, 2009. His past efforts included HB 904.
- Thanks to NVRC, Fairfax
Hearing Aids on the Web: Click with Caution
By Paul Dybala Ph.D., President and Editor in Chief, Healthy Hearing, 6/8/09
You can buy anything on the World Wide Web – including hearing aids. Even really good hearing aids. But ask yourself this: would you buy a 52″ HD flat screen TV for $4,000 without at least looking at the picture in person?
Would you buy a sofa online if you hadn’t sat on it to see if it was comfy? The fact is, the Internet is great for consumer education, researching, comparison shopping and browsing.
For the hearing aid consumer, the Internet serves as a wonderful resource tool when researching hearing loss and hearing aids. And now, as mentioned, hearing aids can be purchased online.
The cost of hearing aids is often cited as a primary reason for people with hearing loss not purchasing hearing aids; however, they know hearing aids will help them hear and lead a better life. Because of the cost combined with a lack of insurance coverage, many are in search of the best or cheapest deal.
Ok, purchasing hearing aids on the Internet may possibly save a few hundred bucks up front, but keep in mind that you may be sacrificing listening experience, wearing satisfaction and hearing safety. In fact, the money you saved by going online will more than likely end up being spent (and then some) when you are in need of reprogramming and follow-up care from a hearing professional in order to get satisfaction from your aids.
For the rest of the article with these topics:
- Hearing Aid Manufacturers Caution
- Hearing Aids: why purchasing face-to-face is important
Go to http://tinyurl.com/ntcu3h
- Thanks to NVRC, Fairfax
Visual Alerts Address Everyday Sounds
NEW YORK CITY (Deaf411) -An internet video report, “Living in an Audio World” gives helpful information on what you should know about when buying a visual alerting device. You already know you need a device or equipment that lets you know when your phone or doorbell is ringing. But which equipment is suitable for your needs? Shopping for a visual alerting system is tough. This report is part of “Deaf Living Solutions” series of internet video reports presented in sign language with open captions. It was produced by two deaf-owned businesses. SIGNED VIDEO- http://www.deaf411online.com/aw49.html
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