JFActivist

TV Worth Watching: PBS Premieres Fred Fay Documentary Tonight

From AAPD (10.27.2011):

Tonight PBS will air the documentary “Lives Worth Living” about disability rights champion Fred Fay.   This is TV worth watching.  In an era when so much TV programming features people who are famous for being famous, we have a rare chance to learn about someone who moved mountains. 

Who was Fred Fay?  He was an architect of the disability rights movement.  He was a founder of the Justice for All web network.  He was an organizer, an innovator, and an inventor.  Working from a motorized bed he designed with three computer screens in reach, Fred Fay connected people to ideas and to each other.  Over the course of decades, he knocked down barriers for people with disabilities and helped change our landscape to be more accessible. 

Watch “Lives Worth Living” with your friends, family, congregation, classmates, or neighbors.  Launch a conversation-- what makes our lives worth living, and what would it take to fulfill our enormous potential as Fred did?  What can we invent?  Whom can we touch with our own gifts? 

For broadcast information visit:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lives-worth-living/film.html

Netflix Violates ADA, National Association of the Deaf Files Suit

via The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (6.16.11):

National Association of the Deaf Files Disability Civil Rights Lawsuit against Netflix

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Plaintiffs Charge that Netflix Violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by Not Providing Equal Access to its “Watch Instantly” Streaming Content

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the nation’s premier civil rights organization of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, announced the filing of a major federal lawsuit against Netflix today in U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, Western Division in Springfield, MA (Case No. 3:11-cv-30168). The lawsuit charges the entertainment giant with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide closed captioning for most of its “Watch Instantly” movies and television streamed on the Internet. 

The New York Times has described Netflix as the “only major player in the online-only video subscription business.” Netflix has over 60% of the streamed video services market share. 

An estimated 36 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing. The deaf and hard of hearing community has repeatedly expressed concerns—via letterspeetitionsbllogsanssoociamedia—to Netflix about its failure to provide equal access to “Watch Instantly.” 

“We have tried for years to persuade Netflix to do the right thing and provide equal access to all content across all platforms. They chose not to serve our community on an equal basis; we must have equal access to the biggest provider of streamed entertainment. As Netflix itself acknowledges, streamed video is the future and we must not be left out,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins...

>>>To See the Full Press Release...

What additional advocacy steps do you think our community should take to place pressure on Netflix? Share your thoughts in comments below.

Call for Volunteers: Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference---June 14th-16th

via AAPD (6.1.11):

CALL for VOLUNTEERS at Computers, Freedom & Privacy Conference (CFP2011), Tuesday June 14 to Thursday June 16, 2011 Washington DC.

In exchange for free access to the conference, volunteers are needed who can take pictures, videotapes at the conference etc.., and post the material on the CFP2011 social media. To register for the conference as a volunteer, go to http://www.cfp.org/2011/wiki/index.php/Volunteers

Computers, Freedom & Privacy Conference 2011
The Future is Now.
June 14-16, 2011
Georgetown University Law Center
600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.

Conference Program at http://www.cfp.org/2011/wiki/index.php/Program

Register at: http://www.cfp.org/2011

Volunteer at: http://www.cfp.org/2011/wiki/index.php/Volunteers
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CFP11
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cfpconf  

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CFPconference

Twitter #CFPconf

 

Note: AAPD is a non-profit co-sponsor of the event.  There is a panel on disability accessibility the morning of Thursday June 16 moderated by AAPD staffer Jenifer Simpson.

 

FCC Seeks Comment on Technology Access Bill

From AAPD (3.23.11):

Current FCC Open Rulemakings on Implementation of 21^st Century Comm & Video Accessibility Act

1.  Video Description: FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Video description is audio narrated description of televised programs during natural pauses.  Comments due Apr 18, 2011 and Reply Comments due May 17, 2011. Below are the URLs for this NPRM in Word, PDF and text formats:

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0311/FCC-11-36A1.doc

Link to Video Description NPRM pdf: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0311/FCC-11-36A1.pdf

Link to Video Description NPRM in text: http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0311/FCC-11-36A1.txt

2. “Advanced communications.” FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on advanced communications services and products to be accessible by people with disabilities.  Advanced communications services are defined as (1) interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service; (2) non-interconnected VoIP service; (3) electronic messaging service; and (4) interoperable video conferencing service.  This includes, for example, text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and video communications. The NPRM also addresses web browser accessibility for people who are blind or visually impaired on their mobile phones, and other topics. Comments due Mar 14, 2011 and reply comments due April 13, 2011. Below are the URLS for this NPRM in Word, PDF and text format:

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0303/FCC-11-37A1.doc

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0303/FCC-11-37A1.pdf

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0303/FCC-11-37A1.txt

3. NEXT GEN 911: FCC Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) requests people with disabilities to take a national on-line survey by April 24, to determine the most effective and efficient technologies and methods by which persons with disabilities may access Next Generation 9-1-1 emergency services systems. This is the technology used at 911 Public Service Answering Points (PSAPs). Among other things, the survey asks about accessing 911 services via video, text, and voice.  Survey results will be used by the EAAC to develop recommendations for FCC draft rules to ensure that people with disabilities can access NG 9-1-1 services.  Survey available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) video. Link to the survey in English and ASL is at http://fcc.eaac.sgizmo.com/s3  Link to the survey in Spanish at http://fcc.eaac-es.sgizmo.com/s3

Action steps:

1. Advocates are encouraged to comment into the FCC dockets in these rulemakings to ensure strong final rules. Instructions for filing comments are inside the NPRMs. The website for filing Comments electronically at the FCC is at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=dmkia  If you have difficulty filing comments electronically, the FCC has a helpline at  202-418-0193 or via email to ecfshelp@fcc.gov
2. Please circulate information about these rulemakings and encourage others to comment.

 

Glee Rocks the AAPD Gala

 

From the JFA Moderator

Glee Rocks the AAPD Gala

The 2011 AAPD Image Award was received by the Cast and Creative Team of Fox's Television show Glee.  In attendance at the Gala was recurring cast member Lauren Potter, an actress with Down Syndrome who portrays the character Becky Jackson, cheerleader and assistant to Sue Sylvester.  In her acceptance speech, Potter spoke out against the pervasive bullying of people with disabilities and directed the audience to join her campaign at  www.AbilityPath.org.  Honored by the award, the principle cast sent the above acceptance video.  The evening concluded with a live performance by a local Glee club that includes young people with and without disabilities.  After the program and dinner finished, Fox sponsored the first ever after-party for Gala attendees to watch that evening's broadcast of Glee with Lauren. 

Links to coverage of GLEE at the AAPD Gala in a number of news and media outlets are posted below:

Washington Post Scene: 'Honoring the Disabled' at the AAPD Gala

MyFoxDC: 'Glee' Honored at American Association of People With Disabilities Awards Gala

The Hill: American Association of People with Disabilities Awards Gala

MyFoxDC: Glee Honored by American Association of People with Disabilities

BizNow:  AAPD Gala

 Washington Examiner: 'Glee's' Potter talks boys at AAPD Gala

K Street Kate: http://www.kstreetkate.net/

AAPD Gala Sold Out

From JFA Moderator (3.10.11):

AAPD Gala Sold Out in Record Time

The AAPD Gala sold out in record time this year.  This news came as AAPD received final confirmation that Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, will be presenting this year's Image Award after delivering his message around efforts to improve special education policy and address the issue of bullying in schools.  The 2011 Image Award will be accepted in person by Lauren Potter who plays the character Becki Jackson on the Fox Television Series 'Glee.'  Lauren has recently begun speaking out on the issue of disability bullying in schools.  For more on her advocacy check out her YouTube Video (uncaptioned). This event promises to be a glamorous celebration of disability unity and strength. 

For More on the AAPD Gala visit www.aapd.com/gala

On the Night of the Gala, participate remotely via twitter at http://twitter.com/AAPD. We’ll be live tweeting from the 2011 AAPD Leadership Awards Gala on March 15! Join us on Twitter and follow the conversation about the Gala using #AAPDgala.

AAPD will not only be tweeting @AAPD, we will also be encouraging audience members, participants and members of the disability community to tweet from and about the Gala throughout the evening, so you can see what other people have to say about the event.

AAPD Gala Almost SOLD OUT – Buy Your Tickets TODAY

From the JFA Moderator (3.7.11):

 
AAPD Gala Almost Sold Out

With a week until its Leadership Gala on March 15th at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, AAPD is expecting to sell out of tickets for their annual Gala TODAY.  The AAPD Gala draws the leaders from the disability, corporate, political, religious and civil rights communities from around the country.

This year the event will celebrate the work of disability advocates with Spirit of the ADA Awards going to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr. and Mrs. Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Leadership Awards going to Jessica Lehman and Catharine McNally, and the Image Award going to the Cast and Creative Team behind the Fox Television show “Glee.” 

Reports indicate there has been a particularly high interest in participating in this cross-disability celebration this year with tickets selling out at record pace. 

Find out more or purchase tickets at www.aapd.com/gala

AAPD Annual Gala Selling out Fast

From AAPD (2.28.11):

 

AAPD 2011 Gala Tickets are Going Fast

Designed by fashion designer Norma Kamali and honoring disability leadership including the Cast and and Creative Team behind the Fox Television Show, "Glee," the 2011 Gala tickets are selling like hotcakes. 

Find out more about the 2011 Gala at www.aapd.com

>>> To learn more about the 2011 Gala

>>> To view the official invitation

>>> To purchase tickets

 

AAPD Celebrates Accessible Technology Legislation

From AAPD (12.1.10):

 Disability Community Celebrates Passage and Enactment of 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010

By Jenifer Simpson

On Capitol Hill, on Tuesday, November 30, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), joined with the other founding members of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) to celebrate the passage and signing of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. The celebration recognized this major milestone in accessible technology with a reception on Capitol Hill in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building. COAT’s other co-founders are the American Council of the Blind (ACB), American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The event was widely attended by over 175 people, including advocates, Hill staff, administration appointees, communications industry representatives and other policymakers.

 
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski speaks on the new legislation

The audience listened raptly as distinguished speakers at this celebration included Rep. Edward Markey (MA) and Senator Mark Pryor (AR) who were leaders in the passage of the legislation and who spoke of their involvement in the effort. Rep. Markey referred to the COAT lobbying team as “telecommunications titans” and thanked COAT for its persistence in advocacy. Senator Pryor lauded the bipartisan process, stating it was a model for how legislation should proceed.

Rep. Ed Markey (MA) talks about the power of advocacy.

Also speaking was Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski who announced his agency was already taking steps towards implementation with several rulemakings underway already. Speaker Steve Largent, Chief Executive Officer of The Wireless Association, the nation’s mobile telecommunications trade association, talked about his organization’s support of the process and his personal interest in disability issues. Mark Richert of AFB, Melanie Brunson of ACB, and Nancy Bloch and Bobbie Beth Scoggins of NAD also spoke of their organizations’ deep involvement in the COAT agenda and their gladness of the Act’s passage. The event was emceed by The Honorable Tony Coelho, Chair of the AAPD Board of Directors.

Mark Richert of ACB speaks about the COAT coalition, Jenifer Simpson of AAPD looks on.

As previously reported, this new legislation updates the nation’s Communications Act so newer technologies are also accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The Act requires captioned television programs to be captioned also when delivered over the Internet, requires video description on television for people with vision loss and allocates $10 million per year for communications equipment used by people who are deaf-blind to access phones and advanced communications services. The new law also establishes a process to ensure emergency information on TV is accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision, requires accessible user interfaces on mobile browsers that connect to the Internet, and requires hearing aid compatibility of ‘smart phones,’ in addition to some enhanced accountability and enforcement measures.

The passage of the 21st Century Communications legislation is a result of five years of cooperative, bipartisan work by COAT organizations, including AAPD, other non-profit groups, industry, and government. The new law was signed by President Barack Obama on October 8, 2010.  With enactment of the legislation, the action has now shifted to the FCC where rulemakings on the new provisions have already begun, with advocates from the COAT coalition already highly involved in the rulemaking processes. For details on the deadlines for the new rules, see story at http://www.coataccess.org/node/9931

Horrifying Video Description on October 31

From AAPD (10.29.10):

by Jenifer Simpson,

Listen to Horrifying Video Description October 31, 2010

This Sunday, October 31 is Halloween 2010!  If you’ve never heard a movie audio described before, celebrate the holiday by listening to American Council of the Blind (ACB) Radio when it streams online, via web-based radio station, the full movie Night of the Living Dead (George Romero's original 1968 film) with complete audio description.

Tune in at 8:00 pm EDT at www.acbradio.org/world for the film with all of the classic film's spooky horror described in full by the  American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project.  This was produced by ACB in collaboration with VITAC, a captioning & video description company. The described horror film  is also available for free on VITAC's website at VITAC.COM - Night of the Living Dead  and on VITAC's YouTube channel VITAC - You Tube - Night of the Living Dead 
 
Notice provided  by Joel Snyder, President, Audio Description Associates, LLC,  "The Visual Made Verbal"  ™, 6502 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD  20912. Email jsnyder@audiodescribe.com, tel  301 920-0218; Cell:  301 452-1898;   Fax: 408 445-0079. For more information about audio description, please visit http://www.audiodescribe.com/  or contact American Council of the Blind at Tel  202 467-5083. website www.acb.org/adp.