Telecommunications: What You Should be Getting
Section 255 for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Do you receive your phone bills in a format you can read?
Can you tell whether your cell phone is on or off?
Do you have documents and manuals in a format you can read?
Do you think those fancy new phones aren't for you?
Are you tired of paying for telecommunications products and services
that you can't really use?
Telecommunication products and services must be accessible. It's the law. Read
on to learn more!
What You Should Be Getting
Before you go to the mall to buy that new telephone, or before you sign
up for that great-sounding new phone service plan, here are some things to
keep
in mind.
In 1996, U.S. Telecommunications Law was amended to ensure accessibility
for people with disabilities. This provision is popularly known as Section
255.
Not every product must be accessible. But some models of every product line
must have:
Controls you can identify by touch, large print and screens with high
contrast characters, and audio cues that clearly identify the status of basic
features.
Manuals and other documentation available in accessible alternate
formats, such as braille, large print, cassette, or electronic file, upon
request.
Remember -- the law is about basic telephone products and services,
but this means more today than it once did. You should be able to make and
receive calls, forward calls, and identify who is calling,and you should
not need assistance to do so. The Internet and electronic mail are not
currently covered under the law.
Step 1: Stop! Before You Shop Do Some Research
The salespeople at the phone store aren't expected to know about
accessibility, but manufacturers and service providers are. So. . .
Call the manufacturer's and service provider's Customer Service
Department and ask specific questions. Please note that it's usually a good
idea to talk both to manufacturers and to your service provider.
When you call, be prepared to take detailed notes about who you
talk with, when you call, and what the person tells you. Ask questions
like:
What products does the company have that meet its Section 255
obligations? Get the exact model numbers and the names of local stores
that carry them.
Is there a nib (or dot) on the "5" key to orient your fingers to
the keypad? How easy is it to identify the button that gives you a dial
tone on a cordless phone? How about the button for changing to a better
channel?
How can you tell whether mute, or your phone's ringer, is on or off?
How can you tell which phone line is ringing or which line is on hold?
Is there an audible indication of low battery? A full charge? 50% charge?
How will you know whether you're getting a good or mediocre connection
to your cellular service provider? Or no connection at all?
What options do you have for getting verbalized caller identification?
What
about hearing phone numbers for the last several people who called you?
What accessible versions of the product manuals are available to you
today?
How can you access your account information and pay your bill?
Of course, not all of these features will be available in products
today. But, they certainly could be. So, ask for the features that can help
you manage telephone calls just like sighted users can. Then use the law to
complain when you can't find what you need. If you don't ask and complain,
manufacturers, service providers, and the FCC might just assume that there
is no problem with telecommunication products and services for people who are
blind or visually impaired.
Not sure who to call? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC),
Consumer Information Bureau, should be able to provide you with contact
information for most manufacturers and service providers. Call them at
(888) 225-5322, e-mail them at [log in to unmask], or use the Web at
http://www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/section255.html.
Important! If you can't find an accessible product or service go
directly to Step 4 "COMPLAIN."
Step 2: Try Before You Buy
Now that you know the exact model numbers of products that are supposed
to be accessible, go to a store and try them for yourself. Try using them
before you actually spend money. When you decide on a product, have the
service
technician turn on all of the accessibility features for you. Hopefully,
you'll
become a satisfied customer.
If Things Do Not Work Out. . .
Step 3: Call the Company Again
If you have purchased a product or service that is not working as you
believe it should, call the company to discuss what is not working for you.
Again, call both the manufacturer and the service provider, and take detailed
notes of the responses you receive.
Step 4: Complain
If you are not satisfied, consider filing a complaint promptly with
the FCC. When you speak up, you improve access for everyone. Uncle Sam and
other disabled consumers are counting on you!
Be aware that there may be legitimate, legally acceptable reasons why a
company is unable to meet your access needs. A company may tell you, for
example, that the kind of access you are asking for is not "readily
achievable."
If they tell you what you want can't be done, have them explain why and take
detailed notes. It is the FCC's responsibility to determine whether a
company's
reasons are valid.
When filing a complaint, it is important that you be as specific as you
can. Be ready to provide information such as:
Your name and address
What your disability is
The name and address of the manufacturer or service provider
Specific details about the equipment or service
Date you purchased, or attempted to purchase, the equipment or service
An explanation of why your disability makes the product or service
inaccessible to you
A description of what you want the company to do for you
The method the company should use to contact you.
The FCC is trying hard to make the complaint process easy for consumers.
You may file a complaint with them in writing, call them at (888) 225-5322, or
e-mail them at [log in to unmask]
Want to know more?
The World Wide Web has lots of information about Section 255. Many
manufacturers and telephone service providers have Web pages describing what
they are doing to comply with Section 255. Here are some online resources to
get you started:
FCC Disabilities Rights Office
- http://www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/
For more information please contact the American Foundation for the Blind,
via e-mail:
[log in to unmask]
Or use traditional mail services:
American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza
Suite 300
New York, NY, 10001
Published: June 2001
This brochure is (C) Copyright 2001
by American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Governmental Relations Group
Washington, DC
This brochure may be freely distributed in any format, but only in its
entirety.
--
Janina Sajka, Director
Technology Research and Development
Governmental Relations Group
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Email: [log in to unmask] Phone: (202) 408-8175
Chair, Accessibility SIG
Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
http://www.openebook.org
Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.html
Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
Learn how to make accessible software at
http://www.afb.org/technology/accessapp.html
did you put this on the disability access committee list?
To answer your specific question, "no." But, please feel free. Our only
restriction is that the brochure be forwarded in its entirety.
On Tue, 26 Jun 2001, David Poehlman wrote:
> did you put this on the disability access committee list?
>
--
Janina Sajka, Director
Technology Research and Development
Governmental Relations Group
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Email: [log in to unmask] Phone: (202) 408-8175
Chair, Accessibility SIG
Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
http://www.openebook.org
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