Communication Access

Photo of large meeting taking place around a table in a long room

Ensuring communication access means every person is able to communicate and be communicated with fully and equally. Wherever communication is taking place, all parties must be able to participate--no matter what accommodation is needed to make that happen. 

What constitutes an accessible communication experience? What does it mean to ensure that communication access is provided? These and other related topics are open for discussion in the Communication Access group.

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Group Content

Discussion

Hearing Aid Battery Packaging

In response to the death of a young child, Reese, who swallowed a "button battery", the U.S. Congress passed Reese's Law in 2022 to improve the safety of button battery packaging, including hearing aid batteries. Subsequent "improvements" in battery packaging has added additional barriers to users of battery powered hearing aids, cochlear implants, and BAHAs. The Hearing Loss Association of…

Discussion

Consumers’ experiences accessing customer service assistance in the communications industry.

The FCC released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking information about consumers’ experiences accessing customer service assistance in the communications industry. The NOI asks commenters to discuss ways to ensure that customer service for cable, satellite, voice, and internet providers is accessible, efficient, and informative. The NOI specifically seeks comment on the current state of customer…

Discussion

Senator Casey Discusses Efforts to Ensure Federal Tech Accessibility for People with Disabilities

In a statement submitted Wednesday to the Congressional Record, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey outlined his efforts to ensure that the federal government’s technology is accessible for people with disabilities. Existing law requires federal websites, apps, electronic documents, and other technology to be accessible for, and usable by, people with disabilities. However,…

Recorded Events/Videos

Transportation: Access for All

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a video highlighting the federal infrastructure package and how it will improve access to public transportation and air travel for people with disabilities. The video includes captions and American Sign Language interpretation, and features, among others, Matt Scott, a five-time Paralympian and gold medalist; Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, a two-time…

Government documents

#DidYouKnow: Enforcing the Americans With Disabilities Act Fact Sheet

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is divided into five sections, which are known as titles. These five titles describe the rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of governments, businesses, and organizations covered by the law. What happens when someone believes the law was violated? Several federal agencies enforce the ADA. The agency responsible for responding to a…