Posted by Betsy McGinnity, Perkins School for the Blind
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is designed ensure that people with disabilities have access to emerging technologies. A very exciting provision of the new law required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program and allocate $10 million annually for its operation. The FCC envisions that every state will have a Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). Money will be allocated to states based on their population. These funds cover assessment, distribution, installation and training on equipment that enables an individual who is deaf-blind to use technology for distance communication. Distance communication includes telephones, cell phones, internet, etc.
Over the past six months the FCC has asked interested persons to comment on their proposed rules for the NDBEDP. Many people from all parts of the deaf-blind community responded. The FCC has been extremely responsive to the comments and has incorporated much of the feedback into the rules for the pilot program.
The goal of the new law is to help as many people as possible access new technologies. The FCC is striving to meet the spirit of the law with regard to eligibility criteria. The FCC is using the definition of deaf-blindness from the Helen Keller Act and is encouraging distribution programs to consider functional criteria, including environmental factors like ambient noise or lighting. There are no age restrictions or work requirements. This is a “low income” program but, due to the extraordinary expenses people who are deaf-blind face and the high cost of specialized equipment, the FCC is using 400% of the federal poverty level as the criteria.
The FCC thought at first that it would use its established network of equipment distribution programs (EDP) as the primary deaf-blind distribution programs in each state. In response to comments from consumers and advocates, they decided to invite non-profits, other agencies and EDP to submit applications. The FCC is strongly encouraging interested entities in state or across states to find ways to collaborate. The FCC anticipates that it will ask for applications from states in the summer.
Because this is a new program and there are many aspects to it, the FCC decided to establish a pilot program for a two or three year period. They will evaluate the effectiveness of the program before establishing permanent rules.
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is designed ensure that people with disabilities have access to emerging technologies. A very exciting provision of the new law required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program and allocate $10 million annually for its operation. The FCC envisions that every state will have a Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). Money will be allocated to states based on their population. These funds cover assessment, distribution, installation and training on equipment that enables an individual who is deaf-blind to use technology for distance communication. Distance communication includes telephones, cell phones, internet, etc.
Over the past six months the FCC has asked interested persons to comment on their proposed rules for the NDBEDP. Many people from all parts of the deaf-blind community responded. The FCC has been extremely responsive to the comments and has incorporated much of the feedback into the rules for the pilot program.
The goal of the new law is to help as many people as possible access new technologies. The FCC is striving to meet the spirit of the law with regard to eligibility criteria. The FCC is using the definition of deaf-blindness from the Helen Keller Act and is encouraging distribution programs to consider functional criteria, including environmental factors like ambient noise or lighting. There are no age restrictions or work requirements. This is a “low income” program but, due to the extraordinary expenses people who are deaf-blind face and the high cost of specialized equipment, the FCC is using 400% of the federal poverty level as the criteria.
The FCC thought at first that it would use its established network of equipment distribution programs (EDP) as the primary deaf-blind distribution programs in each state. In response to comments from consumers and advocates, they decided to invite non-profits, other agencies and EDP to submit applications. The FCC is strongly encouraging interested entities in state or across states to find ways to collaborate. The FCC anticipates that it will ask for applications from states in the summer.
Because this is a new program and there are many aspects to it, the FCC decided to establish a pilot program for a two or three year period. They will evaluate the effectiveness of the program before establishing permanent rules.
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