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PR CONTACT: ASHLEY ROOK, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

TIA Observes 23^rd Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

ARLINGTON, VA (July 26, 2013) – This week, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, observed the 23^rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  TIA President Grant Seiffert released the following statement:  

“This week marks the 23^rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark comprehensive law adopted by Congress to remove discrimination against people with disabilities from American society.  One-of-a-kind at the time, the ADA established the United States as the leader in preventing discrimination by requiring equal opportunity in employment opportunities, in the purchasing of goods and services, and in state and local government participation.  The hundreds of Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) member companies that manufacture and supply information and communications technology (ICT), providing the innovative products and services that empower accessibility across our society, join other stakeholders in celebrating the success of this important law.

“Since its passage, TIA has supported the ADA, both in helping its members attain compliance with the law and in providing a means for industry, regulators, and consumers to come together and find ways to go further than the letter of the law requires.  TIA remains committed to enabling equal access to the life-shaping technologies that our members manufacture and supply.  A cornerstone to this ongoing work will be continuing to build upon the open, voluntary, and consensus-based standardization efforts to improve accessibility already underway in standards development organizations such as TIA.  For example, TIA recently developed voluntary industry standards for amplified telephones, which are crucial tools needed for communication for many hard-of-hearing individuals.

“The ADA has since been augmented by further important laws that enhance accessibility to ICT products and services.  For example, building on Section 255 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act that requires telecommunications service providers and their equipment manufacturers to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, Congress has passed the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).  The CVAA addresses access to advanced communications services for those with auditory and visual disabilities, and has been supported by TIA in its passage through Congress and its subsequent implementation by the Federal Communications Commission.  TIA members are committed to the success of this law as well as the ADA.

“TIA members are already improving accessibility through the products they offer today, from traditional communications means such as wireline telephones used by tens of millions of households to advanced smartphones and tablets.  Moving forward, TIA members will continue to proactively engage the disability community, regulators, and other stakeholders to identify and fluidly address the needs of disabled populations in accessing ICT.  We strongly believe that voluntary efforts such as these are consistent with the letter – and spirit – of the ADA.”

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances 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 for more details. 

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.

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