Greetings:
At the behest of Ramona Walhof, we have re-written the resolution
on set-top boxes somewhat. The changes are very minor. Any
objections should be registered immediately as I plan to send
this to Mrs. Walhof tomorrow.
Very truly yours,
Curtis Chong
chong99@concentric.net
RESOLUTION ON DIGITAL SET-TOP BOXES
submitted by NFB Research and Development Committee
WHEREAS, digital set-top boxes and other electronic access
devices are being developed to provide access to information
services such as: television programming, telephone access and
the Internet; and
WHEREAS, prototypes of such devices are currently being tested
without the participation of blind consumers; and
WHEREAS, digital set-top boxes and similar devices are
substantially inaccessible to blind persons; and
WHEREAS, the designers and manufacturers of these devices have
not sought to obtain advice from experts on blindness and access
technology in order to produce a product which complies with
Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which requires
that telecommunications equipment and services be made accessible
to blind persons; this Act is administered by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC); and
WHEREAS, designers and manufacturers of set-top boxes including:
IBM, Visual Information Services Corporation, Microsoft
Corporation, Sony Corporation, and Philips Corporation have made
no effort to work with the National Federation of the Blind in
particular in designing their equipment to be accessible and
useable by blind persons; and
WHEREAS, within a few years, digital interactive set-top boxes
and similar digital technologies will be required in order to
receive virtually all informational services, and lack of access
for blind persons will lead to isolation from the mainstream
channels of communication open to every one else; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind, in
convention assembled this tenth day of July, 1998, in the city of
Dallas, Texas, that this organization call upon designers and
manufacturers of digital set-top boxes and similar equipment to
design their products to be accessible to and usable by blind
persons; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization declare its desire
and willingness to consult with the industry on this important
issue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization take all necessary
steps to ensure that set-top boxes and similar devices are
accessible to and usable by the blind--including, but not limited
to, consulting with designers and manufacturers of set-top boxes
and similar technologies; seeking administrative remedies
available under the Telecommunications Act of 1996; and, as a
last resort, litigation as may be necessary.
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