Redefining "access" - broadband for those with disabilities

FCC officials and disabilities advocates gathered at an FCC field hearing on November 6 to discuss how to make broadband accessible for those with hearing, visual, and physical disabilities.

The consensus? Broadband could provide incredible benefits to the disabled community after overcoming a few unique challenges.

The FCC is in the midst of developing a national broadband plan, and the advocates made it clear that their constituents' needs must be taken into account.

"A national broadband plan is not national if not accessible to everyone," said Michael Richert, director of public policy for the American Foundation for the Blind.

"It is all of our responsibilities to provide the tools to fix this problem," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps,"And it’s not just something nice for us to do - it's their right - I think it’s pretty much a civil right - to have this kind of access, because access denied is opportunity denied."

Broadband allows those with disabilities to work, take classes, and look for jobs from home - which is especially important now that almost 17 percent of disabled individuals have lost their jobs in the recent economic downturn.

"People, not just those with disabilities, but everyone, needs broadband to look for jobs and the digital literacy to do so," said Janis Kohe, vice president of employment services division of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas.

Throughout the hearing, panelists made sure to frame these policies in an appropriate light. "Today we do not try to explore how best to help the disabled," said FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, "rather, we endeavor to empower people with disabilities."

The hearing was held at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which serves deaf students. Renowned deaf actress Marlee Matlin, a longtime advocate for people with disabilities, was also in attendance. Appropriately, the event was simulcast online.

FCC Broadband (FCC)

Field Hearing: People With Disabilities Need Minor Modifications for Broadband to Work (Broadband Census)

Remarks of FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps (FCC)

Remarks of FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell (FCC)