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 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 
 Re:  In  the  Matter  of  Amendment  of  Part  1,  Subpart  N  of  the  Commission’s  Rules  Concerning  Non-  Discrimination  on  the  Basis  of  Disability  in  the  Commission’s 
 Programs  and  Activities 
 I  am  pleased  to  support  the  Section  504  Order  and  Handbook.  This  update  is  long  overdue,  but  all  the  more  welcome  for  that.  I  am  encouraged  that  we  are 
 updating  our  regulations  today  and  establishing  a  regular  review  of  these  rules  to  help  keep  them  up-  to-  date  in  the  future. 


 The  Commission  has  made  great  strides  over  the  past  several  years  to  improve  accessibility.  Among  other  things,  the  Commission  wrote  new  rules  to  ensure 
 that  communications  products  and  services  are  accessible  to  those  with  disabilities;  overhauled  and  updated  our  Telecommunications  Relay  Services 
 (TRS)  rules;  established  and  implemented  711  as  a  nationwide  relay  number;  took  action  on  captioning  to  ensure  that  everyone  has  access  to  televised 
 information,  including  most  importantly  warnings  about  emergency  situations;  and  allocated  spectrum  for  assistive  listening  devices. 


 But  we  must  not  rest  on  these  accomplishments;  we  must  build  on  them.  The  Commission  needs  now  to  look  at  the  important  issues  of  Internet  relay,  hearing 
 aid  compatibility  for  digital  wireless  phones,  accessibility  to  digital  and  interactive  television,  and  implementation  of  TTY  access  to  E-  911  and  video  description. 


 My  office  was  fortunate  to  have  an  intern  with  a  disability  to  work  with  us  last  summer.  The  Commission  did  an  outstanding  job  of  providing  accommodations 
 for  us,  but  I  wonder  whether  everyone  at  this  agency  is  aware  of  the  kinds  of  accommodations  the  Commission  can  –  and  indeed,  is  required  to  –  provide  for 
 our  employees  with  disabilities.  This  Handbook  is  a  good  step  to  help  us  understand,  and  to  make  us  a  model  not  only  of  compliance  --  but  of  leadership. 
 We  can  do  more.  I  would  like  to  see  this  Handbook  be  used  as  a  model  for  the  Commission  to  develop  other  handbooks  to  address  related  issues.  The 
 Commission  has  responsibilities  under  Sections  501  and  508  of  the  Rehabilitation  Act  to  provide  accommodations  to  our  employees  with  disabilities, 
 and  to  ensure  that  the  electronic  and  information  technology  that  we  use,  build,  buy,  and/  or  lease  is  accessible  to  persons  with  disabilities.  A  Section  501 
 Handbook  could  be  a  valuable  tool  for  FCC  employees,  co-  workers,  and  supervisors  of  employees  with  disabilities.  Likewise,  a  Section  508  Handbook 
 would  assist  all  of  us  at  the  Commission  who  work  with  electronic  and  information  technology  to  learn  how  to  make  decisions  when  procuring 
 technology.  It  is  not  only  the  right  thing  to  do,  it  is  the  law. 
 I  want  to  thank  the  Disability  Rights  Office  for  its  leadership  on  this  item,  particularly  those  who  spearheaded  the  Handbook.  Thank  you  for  your 
 dedication  to  your  jobs,  and  for  helping  the  Commission  to  be  accessible  to  members  of  the  public  with  disabilities. 
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