National Association of the Deaf

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued four Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to revise their ADA regulations. The covered topics are:

• Accessibility of Web Information and Services Provided by Entities Covered by the ADA
• Movie Captioning and Video Description
• Accessibility of Next Generation 9-1-1
• Equipment and Furniture

The DOJ needs your input in how to ensure accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in each of these areas. There are two upcoming public hearings where the public can share their thoughts, experiences, ideas, and comments:

• December 16, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, at the United States Access Board, 1331 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
• January 10, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., PST, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, 55 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

There are three different ways you can make a difference by submitting your public comments:

1. Attend one of the hearings in person: Register to present your comments ASAP by calling the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (Voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY);
2. Participate in one of the hearings through the telephone or videophone: Register to present your comments ASAP by calling the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (Voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY);
3. Submit your comments anytime before January 26, 2011:

• Federal eRulemaking website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the website’s instructions for submitting comments.
• Regular U.S. mail: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 2885, Fairfax, VA 22031-0885.
• Overnight, courier, or hand delivery: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1425 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 4039, Washington, D.C. 20005.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) strongly encourages the deaf and hard of hearing community to send in public comments regarding each of the four topic areas.  The more comments from the deaf and hard of hearing community, the more consideration the DOJ will give to our unique accessibility concerns.

More information about each of the covered areas is available at:
http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/anprm2010.htm

Review the public hearings here:
http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/anprm_nov-jan_2010.htm

Instructions for submitting public comments electronically or via U.S. Mail:
http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/anprm2010_comment.htm