A Huge Step Forward for People with Disabilities: On the 20th Anniversary of the ADA, the U.S. House is Expected to Pass H.R. 3101

Statement from Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs & Policy, AmericanFoundation for the Blind

WASHINGTON, July 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, as wecommemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA), the landmark civil rights law that revolutionized lifefor those of us with disabilities, we have even more reason tocelebrate. This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives isexpected to pass H.R. 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communicationsand Video Accessibility Act.

This measure updates our nation's communications laws to ensurethat new technologies are accessible to people with disabilities andgives individuals with vision or hearing loss improved access totelevision programming, smart phones, the Internet, menus on DVDplayers and cable TV, and more. Specifically, if signed into law,H.R. 3101 will:

Restore and expand requirements for video description oftelevision programs, in addition to requiring cable companies tomake their program guides and selection menus accessible to peoplewith vision loss

Mandate mobile phone companies to make web browsers, textmessaging, and e-mail on smart phones fully accessible

Ensure people with vision loss have access to emergency broadcastinformation

Provide $10 million in funding each year for assistive technologyfor deaf-blind individuals

We applaud the U.S. House for their leadership on thislegislation, and we are particularly thankful to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the original sponsor and champion of H.R. 3101, in additionto Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va), Rep. JoeBarton (R-TX), and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) who played a key rolein moving this bipartisan measure forward. Once passed by the House,we will be looking to the Senate to take up H.R. 3101 and ensurethat this life-changing legislation is sent to the President's desk.

Twenty years ago today when the ADA was signed into law, no onecould have predicted the new technologies -- from smart phones tothe Internet -- that now shape our daily lives and work routines. Itis time to make sure that the 25 million Americans with vision lossand the millions more with other disabilities can fully participatein the digital era. Today marks a huge step forward in making that areality.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a nationalnonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevatingthe quality of information and tools for the professionals who servepeople with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthyliving for people with vision loss by providing them and theirfamilies with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud tohouse the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than forty yearsthat Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more informationvisit us online at www.afb.org.

SOURCE American Foundation for the Blind