*Pages 1--2 from  Microsoft Word - 7705.doc*
 NEWS  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974). 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  News  Media  contact::  March  19,  2001  Rosemary  Kimball  at  (202)  418-  0511  (voice) 
 (202)  418-  0179  (TTY)  email:  rkimball@  fcc.  gov 


 CONSUMER/  DISABILITY  TELECOMMUNICATIONS  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE  TO 
 HOLD  FIRST  MEETING  ON  MONDAY,  MARCH  26 


 Washington,  DC  –  The  FCC  will  receive  an  important  new  tool  to  assist  it  in  serving  consumers,  including  those  with  disabilities,  when  the  Consumer/  Disability 
 Telecommunications  Advisory  Committee  holds  its  first  meeting  on  Monday,  March  26. 
 Chairman  Powell,  Commissioners  Ness,  Furchtgott-  Roth  and  Tristani  will  offer  welcoming  remarks. 


 The  Committee  is  composed  of  40  distinguished  representatives  of  business, 
 academia,  consumer  and  disability  organizations,  Hispanic  groups,  Indian  country,  and  the  public.  It  will  be  chaired  by  nationally-  known  consumer  advocate  Shirley  Rooker, 


 President  of  the  “Call  For  Action,”  the  international  network  of  radio  and  television  stations  that  support  consumer  hotlines.  A  list  of  the  Committee  members  is  attached. 


 The  FCC  announced  the  establishment  of  the  Committee  on  November  30, 
 2000.  Organized  under  the  provisions  of  the  Federal  Advisory  Committee  Act  at  the  FCC,  it  will  play  a  large  role  in  keeping  the  Commission  apprised  of  the  needs  and 


 concerns  of  consumers.  It  will  make  recommendations  to  the  Commission  regarding  consumer  and  disability  issues  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Commission  and  facilitate 
 the  participation  of  consumers,  including  people  with  disabilities  and  underserved  populations,  in  proceedings  before  the  Commission. 


 The  Committee  will  be  divided  into  three  subcommittee  working  groups: 
 Consumer  Protection  and  Education;  Access  by  People  with  Disabilities;  and  Availability  and  Affordability  of  Telecommunications  Products  and  Services.  A  list  of 


 these  working  groups  with  the  subjects  that  they  may  be  exploring  is  attached.  Additional  subject  matters  may  be  covered  at  the  discretion  of  the  Committee. 


 The  meeting  will  be  held  at  FCC  Headquarters,  445  12  th  St.,  SW,  in  the 
 Commission  Meeting  Room,  and  is  open  to  the  public.  It  will  begin  at  9:  00  AM  and  conclude  at  4:  30  PM.  The  agenda  is  attached. 
1
 The  meeting  will  be  broadcast  on  the  Internet  in  Real  Audio/  Real  Video  format  with  captioning  at  www.  fcc.  gov/  cib/  cdtac.  The  meeting  will  be  sign  language  interpreted 
 and  realtime  transcription  will  also  be  available.  Meeting  agendas  and  handout  material  will  also  be  provided  in  accessible  formats.  The  meeting  site  is  fully  accessible  to 
 people  with  disabilities. 
 -  FCC  – 
 Consumer  Information  Bureau  contact:  Scott  Marshall  at  (202)  418-  2809  (voice)  or  (202)  418-  0179  (TTY);  email:  cdtac@  fcc.  gov 
2