Friday, October 15 2010
Blind and Deaf people will find it easier to use smartphones, the internet, emergency broadcast information and much more.
US President, Barack Obama recently signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. The signing of this legislation means greater access for Americans with a disability. It requires smartphones, television programs and other modern communications technologies to be accessible to people with vision or hearing impairment.
Much of the present momentum for global disability reform can be traced to the 1989 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The first comprehensive piece of legislation outlawing discrimination against people with disabilities remains one of President George H.W. Bush’s defining achievements. The ADA’s provisions, calling for access and inclusion for people with impairment, formed the basis of Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act in 1994, and the recent International Disability Convention (known as DisCo).
“President Obama’s signing of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act on the 20th anniversary of the ADA, marks a significant milestone on the journey towards the end of disability” Ai-Media CEO, Tony Abrahams, remarked. “On disability reform, the United States continues to lead by example. There is a fantastic opportunity for Australia, and the rest of the world, to learn from the US experience.”
For more information please click here
For the transcript of President Obama's address please click here
