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The Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC) has now met three times in Washington, D.C. (September '06, November '06, February '07) and will meet again in May and July '07. The Committee is charged with providing recommendations to the U.S. Access Board for standards for electronic and information technology under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines for telecommunications products under Section 255 of the Communications Act. AAPD is a voting member of this federal advisory committee, along with 42 other representatives from other disability groups, industry, government and international entities. Well-known disability groups on the Committee include the American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, Association of Tech Act Programs, Communication Service for the Deaf, Easter Seals, Hearing Loss Association of America, National Federation of the Blind, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, among others. A valuable offshoot of the Committee's work are the relationships built between disability representatives and representatives from industry, government and other entities. The Committee is organized into eight subcommittees looking at standards for "web and software," "desktops/portable," "interfaces," "telecommunications," "audio/video," "self contained/closed," "subpart A," and "documentation." Themes or issues each subcommittee must look at include cognitive disability, economic impact, emerging products and components, external standards by reference, harmonization , interoperability with assistive technology, maintaining and updating the standards, testability, and usability of the standards. The upcoming meetings will focus on the work of the subcommittees. The July meeting will end with a plenary discussion and decision about a delivery date for a final report, likely due in September or November. The TEITAC meets in plenary sessions and between sessions meets via teleconference and through circulation of information through listservs and the committee's interactive website at http://www.teitac.org. Members of the public are permitted to offer recommendations about accessibility to the subcommittees and to attend the full committee meeting. As a federal advisory committee, there is always time set aside for public comment and questions. For further information, please contact or the TEITAC website.
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