CTIA-The Wireless Association® Statement on Accessibility Initiatives Announced by FCC

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement after the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s speech where he announced several accessibility initiatives for persons with disabilities as part of the National Broadband Plan:
 
“CTIA and the wireless industry appreciate Chairman Genachowski’s and the Broadband team’s dedication to developing the National Broadband Plan which recognizes the tremendous potential that wireless broadband services offer. Mobile Internet to the person significantly improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through new opportunities in employment, education, health care, and public safety. CTIA and our member companies agree with the FCC that all Americans should have equal access to wireless communications. This is why we’re committed to providing consumers with disabilities an array of products and services to meet their needs.
 
“As we have said many times before, the innovation and competition within the U.S. wireless ecosystem ensures all consumers benefit, including the accessibility community. As wireless carriers compete with each other on service plans and mobile devices for individuals with disabilities, they are providing this community with innovative offerings – such as built-in accessibility features, compatibility with Assistive Technology (“AT”) or downloadable applications to replace expensive, immobile assistive communication devices at significantly lower prices. 
 
“Most importantly, due to the wireless industry’s commitment to key accessibility issues, a recent survey showed that we’ve seen the prior barriers for people with disabilities’ adoption of wireless lowered and their satisfaction with wireless services and products increase. When the Commission recommended that government entities offer incentives to make wireless devices, services, and applications more accessible to individuals with disabilities, they clearly recognized the important contribution wireless technologies have provided this community.
 
“The wireless industry looks forward to working with the Chairman, the Administration, Congress, and the accessibility community to ensure people with disabilities have the equal opportunities and benefits from the most competitive and innovative industry in the world.”

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CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.