*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 5706.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 00- 2692 Released: November 30, 2000 FCC REQUESTS NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE CONSUMER/ DISABILITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE At the 10 th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Torch Relay, in Los Angeles, California, Chairman William E. Kennard announced the Commission’s intention to form a Consumer/ Disability Telecommunications Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee will make recommendations to the Commission regarding consumer and disability issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission in order to facilitate the participation of consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations) in proceedings before the Commission. The Committee will be organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U. S. C., App. 2 (1988) (FACA). FUNCTIONS The Committee will provide general guidance to the Commission, and will make specific recommendations on issues and questions presented to it through the Commission's Consumer Information Bureau (CIB). The issues or questions referred to the Committee will include, but are not limited to, the following topic areas: x Consumer Protection and Education (e. g., cramming, slamming, consumer friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, Lifeline/ Linkup programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing abuses, and outreach to underserved populations). x Access by People with Disabilities (e. g., telecommunications relay services, video description, captioning, accessible billing, and access to telecommunications products and services). x Impact of New and Emerging Technologies (e. g., availability of Broadband, digital television, cable, satellite, low power FM, and the convergence of these and emerging technologies). It is anticipated that the Committee will meet a minimum of two times per year in Washington, D. C., and that approximately three informal subcommittees will be established to facilitate the Committee’s work between meetings of the full Committee. Each Committee meeting will be open to the public. A notice of each meeting will be published in the Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting. Records will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public inspection. 1 MEMBERSHIP The Commission seeks applications from interested individuals or organizations from both the public and private sectors that wish to be considered for membership on the Committee. Selections will be made on the basis of factors such as expertise and viewpoints that are necessary to address effectively the questions presented to the Committee. Members should be recognized experts in their fields, including, but not limited to, consumer advocacy organizations, organizations representing persons with disabilities, representatives of underserved populations, equipment manufacturers, telecommunications service providers (including wireless), broadcast/ cable providers, state/ local regulators, and/ or other qualified persons serving in their individual capacities. Members must be willing to commit to a two- year term of service, should be willing and able to attend a minimum of two (2) one- day meetings per year of the Committee held in Washington, D. C., and are also expected to participate in deliberations of at least one subcommittee. The Commission is unable to pay per diem or travel costs. APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP/ DEADLINE Applications should be received by the Commission no later than January 15, 2001, and should be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, Attn. Scott Marshall, 445 12 th Street S. W. Washington, DC 20554 or can be sent via email to smarshal@ fcc. gov. Applications should include the representative’s name (and for organizations, the name of an alternate), title, address and telephone number, a statement of the interests represented and the consumer and/ or disability issues of interest to the applicant; and a description of the applicant's qualifications. The application should further be supported by a statement indicating a willingness to serve on the Committee for a two year period of time; to attend a minimum of two (2) one- day meetings per year in Washington DC; and a commitment to work on at least one subcommittee; at the applicant's own expense. Members will have an initial and continuing obligation to disclose any interests in, or connections to, persons or entities that are, or will be, regulated by or have interests before the Commission. After the applications have been reviewed, the Commission will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the appointment of the Committee members and the first meeting date of the Committee. It is anticipated that the first Committee meeting will take place in March of 2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Marshall, Consumer Information Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554. Telephone 202- 418- 2809 (voice) or 202- 418- 0179 (TTY). - FCC - 2