What We Do:

Technology

We live in a wireless, touch-screen, online world where technology evolves almost daily. AAPD’s Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative (TTPI) works to ensure that technological advances and federal policy benefit people with disabilities equally. TTPI monitors accessibility, usability and affordability within all technology, including communications and assistive technologies.

54% of adults living with a disability use the internet, compared with 81% of adults without disabilities.
41% of adults living with a disability have broadband at home, compared with 69% of those without a disability.

We promote positive change for people with disabilities in the following technology areas:

Inclusive Information & Communications Technology for People with Disabilities

Assistive and adaptive technology
Closed captioning on television
Video description on television for persons with vision loss
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) for persons with hearing and speech disabilities
Usable wireless connection to medical and other service devices
Internet website accessibility
Affordability of telecommunications products and services
Affordability and availability of advanced medical devices
Accessibility of health information technologies and systems
Accessible and usable interfaces on consumer electronics products
Promoting greater broadband usage by persons with disabilities

Legislation

There are several federal laws that address technology accessibility for people with disabilities, including the American with Disabilities Act, the Communications Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities also includes several provisions on access to technology. Link to policy primer.

AAPD supports accessible, usable and affordable Internet technologies and telecommunication devices, and rigorous enforcement of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act and the new law, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

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Coalitions

AAPD is a member of several coalitions that promote access to evolving technologies for people with disabilities.

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Communications

AAPD monitors implementation of new laws and regulations to ensure that telephone, television, Internet and broadband and other types of technology are accessible to people with disabilities.

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