NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th 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).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
For Immediate Release:                                          News Media Contact:
July 15, 2010                                                           Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511
 e-mail: rosemary.kimball@fcc.gov
 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION KICKS OFF YEAR-LONG 
CELEBRATION OF 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 
WITH NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES ON JULY 19
Events to Reflect Theme of “Empowering Americans with Disabilities Through Technology” to 
Include Technology Showcase, ADA Celebration Program, Brainstorming Session, and Launch 
of Accessibility and Innovations Forum
Washington, DC – On July 19, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission will be 
kicking off its year-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act.  
The day’s festivities will begin at 11 AM, with a Technology Showcase which will run 
until 3 PM at the Commerce Department Main Foyer.  More than 50 exhibitors have been invited 
to demonstrate their accessible technologies.  (This program had originally been scheduled to be 
held at the FCC.)  
From 1 PM to 2 PM, an ADA Celebration Program in the Commerce Department 
Auditorium will include welcoming remarks from FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the 
launch of a new FCC Accessibility and Innovation Forum, presentation of an original video 
chronicling personal stories about the impact of technology on people with disabilities, 
performances by Gallaudet University performers, and a reception.  
Both the Technology Expo and the ADA Program are free and open to the public and 
press.   
 
Following these events there will be a brainstorming discussion by technology developers 
and persons with disabilities to identify and prioritize technology barriers to people with 
disabilities and explore possible solutions to those barriers.  This event is by invitation only and 
is closed to the public and press.  
The Accessibility and Innovation Forum, which will be launched on the 19th, is a means 
to promote collaborative problem-solving among a wide variety of stakeholders, including the 
disability community, industry, academics, government representatives, third-party developers, 
innovators, students, and assistive technology vendors.
Through workshops, field events, facilitated dialogues, and online tools, including blog 
posts covering a wide range of communication technology access issues, the Forum will seek to 
foster accessible and affordable communications technologies solutions.  
The Forum will also include the “Chairman’s AAA Awards,” Awards for Advancements 
in Accessibility.  The first of these awards will be given out on the next anniversary of the ADA 
to recognize efforts in the private and public sector -- as well as public-private partnerships --
that advance accessibility.
The Department of Commerce is at 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC.  
Access to the Technology Showcase, including wheelchair accessibility, is via the Aquarium 
entrance, which is just a few feet from the Main Foyer.  The Aquarium entrance is on 14th 
Street, NW, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW.
Sign language interpreters and computer aided real-time transcription (CART) will be 
provided.  
- FCC -