[Nfbnet-members-list] Update on E-Reader Accessibility Efforts

[McLarney, Lauren]

Hello Federationists,

I wanted to follow-up with everybody about our 
efforts to urge the FCC to make e-readers 
accessible under the Twenty-First Century 
Communications and Video Accessibility Act by 
rejecting the Coalition of E-Reader 
Manufacturer’s Petition for Waiver.  I know many 
of you had problems opening the attachments that 
I sent in my original email, which included our 
official comments and a skeleton letter.  When we 
got word of these glitches, Valerie Yingling and 
our Access Technology Team acted fast to 
re-circulate the message.  I know the second 
method of transmission was still slightly 
problematic, but we were pressed for time and 
hopeful it would be enough for our members.  Sure 
enough – it was!  We got a whopping 125 letters 
by the deadline, and we submitted each and every 
one to the FCC.  This is a very strong number, 
and I am continually impressed by the strength of 
our grassroots movement.  We also got 22 
additional organizations of and for people with 
print disabilities to sign on to the official NFB comments.

Our advocacy has paid off.  Within 24 hours of 
submitting our comments and your letters, the FCC 
called Dr. Maurer requesting an in-person follow 
up meeting!  We are coordinating with 
representatives of the other groups and hope to 
have a meeting in two weeks.  If the FCC does 
reject the petition, it will be a direct result 
of your letters and our collective 
action.  Please stay tuned to find out if the FCC makes the right decision.

Lauren

Lauren McLarney
Government Affairs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells St.
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659 9314 ext. 2207
<mailto:lmclarney at nfb.org>lmclarney at nfb.org



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