Washington, D.C. – On October 7, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released two sets of final rules that will further implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA). These included new rules for “Advanced Communications Services (ACS).” The new rules significantly expand the scope of accessibility requirements to cover many previously unregulated products and services.

TIA will address the new rules in a webinar for its members.

Date: Tuesday, November 29

Time: 3 – 5 pm (EST)

Register: http://www.tiaonline.org/gov_affairs/events/webinar-registration.cfm

In meeting the requirements of CVAA Sections 716 and 717, ACS providers and manufacturers of equipment used for ACS must make their services and equipment accessible to people with disabilities, unless it is not achievable to do so. Where it is not achievable, these providers and manufacturers must make their services and equipment compatible with commonly used assistive technologies. Section 717 requires new recordkeeping requirements for these providers and manufacturers and new enforcement procedures for these accessibility obligations.

The webinar will cover:

•           The scope of the new rules – what is covered?

•           Understanding the “achievability” standard

•           The waiver process

•           How the complaint process will operate

•           Consequence of an FCC enforcement action

•           Company best practices for assuring compliance

Presenters:

Mark Uncapher, Director, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Telecommunications Industry Association

Mark Uncapher is the Telecommunication Industry Association’s Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs. He previously was a Senior Vice President & Counsel at the Information Technology Association of America (now part of Tech America) and was responsible for their Internet Commerce and Communications Division.

David E. Hilliard, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

Mr. Hilliard represents clients on a wide variety of matters before the Federal Communications Commission including wireless technology, mobile radio operations, mass media issues, radio frequency exposure, Enforcement Bureau proceedings and spectrum allocation issues involving numerous radio services. He also represents clients before the Consumer Product Safety Commission in matters involving electrical products, including battery-powered devices.

Scott D. Delacourt, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP

Mr. Delacourt advises clients on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory and transactional matters. He has a broad range of experience in wireless, telecom, mobile marketing and data privacy issues. Scott served as Deputy Bureau Chief and Chief of Staff of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Senior Counsel, Office of General Counsel.

Mary Brooner, Consultant, MB Consulting, LLC

Mary Brooner is a consultant to TIA on accessibility-related policy matters. Previously she directed global policy and regulatory issues concerning accessibility of Motorola products. While at Motorola, she represented TIA on the Telecommunications & Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC) of the U.S. Access Board. She is currently a board member of the World Institute on Disability.

Registration

Register for the webinar.

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org.

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TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Dow Chemical Company, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, Juniper Networks, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, OneChip Photonics, Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, TE Connectivity, Ulticom, Inc., Walker & Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates.