Remarks of Chairman Tom Wheeler
As Prepared for Delivery
Association of University Centers on Disabilities 
Washington, D.C.
November 17, 2015
Thank you, Liz, for that introduction.
Thank you to AUCD for welcoming me tonight. I am truly delighted to be here. Most
importantly, thank you for your advocacy on behalf of people living with intellectual or other 
cognitive disabilities.
Also, congratulations to tonight’s award winners. 
There are over 28 million Americans with cognitive disabilities – They are our parents, 
our children, our coworkers and our fellow citizens.  
We are living in a unique period in time where technology is creating new tools for the 
diverse population of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.  A broadband 
connection coupled with the capabilities of Internet Protocol-based technology has created a 
magnificent moment when we can apply new technologies to attack the challenges of individuals 
with disabilities like never before.
The forces of technology and networks have aligned. I was impressed when I learned of 
the Arc’s toolbox; a search engine to discover appropriate online applications.  That is the 
opportunity.  We must seize the opportunity.  And we must do this, not just because it is the right 
thing to do; it’s the law. 
Today’s technology is so much more powerful, and our understanding of accessibility 
issues is so much greater.  This is our moment.  I have seen up close and personal the power of 
Internet applications to help individuals with cognitive disabilities learn and achieve 
independence.
With the broadband revolution, we have an opportunity to get in on the ground floor as 
technologies are being developed. Accessibility must be a first thought, not an afterthought.
The recent report on technology by the President’s Committee on People with Intellectual 
Disabilities highlighted some of this potential.  And we all know that President Obama appointed 
Liz Weintraub to PCPID.
At the FCC, we are determined to seize this new opportunity.
We too often receive complaints from individuals with cognitive disabilities about 
barriers to their access to telecommunications.  One individual may not be able to use email, 
because he has difficulty remembering a unique password. Another may face challenges in 
using new telephone equipment or understanding service plans or pricing.  Some are unable to 
navigate the confusing menus of service providers’ web sites.  Others complain of service 
personnel who are insensitive, refuse to address their concerns, and who even make fun of their 
disabilities.  
So what are some of the actions the FCC has taken to address challenges such as these?
We have rules in place requiring companies to provide access to telecommunications and 
advanced communications services and equipment – including access to phones, laptops, tablets 
and cell phones – and those rules apply as equally to protect individuals with cognitive 
disabilities as they do to protect people with any other types of disabilities.  
We have undertaken initiatives to ensure that federal agencies improve such access in 
their own telecommunications systems so that they can have better daily interactions with these 
citizens.  
We have helped find accessible telecommunications solutions for veterans with brain 
injuries, directed companies to provide consumers with better explanations of their telephone 
services, and helped people find equipment that is easier for them to operate and, therefore, more 
accessible.
I am especially proud of what we have done at the Commission to advance the 
integration and independence of people with cognitive disabilities.  
The FCC is trying to build a prototypical program for federal agency employment of 
people with intellectual disabilities thanks to the leadership of Mindy Ginsburg, our Assistant 
Managing Director.  In just under a year, we went from an idea to successful employment
opportunities.  Working closely with partners the Arc and St. John’s Community Services, we 
have five new colleagues who have been a great match for our needs.  We have also begun an 
intern program with George Mason’s LIFE program, providing young students with cognitive 
disabilities much needed experience in an office environment.  To support our entire workforce, 
we developed in-house training designed to make all of us more sensitive to the needs of our 
colleagues.  In addition, just this summer, USAC, the administrator of the Commission’s $8 
billion Universal Service program, hired two people with cognitive disabilities who have quickly 
integrated into their fast-paced and challenging work place.  The next step is to help our 
contractors stand up to their responsibilities.
Other federal agencies, seeing what we’ve done, have started to implement our model 
and employ people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities.  
Insofar as policy development, we formed the Disability Advisory Committee.  This team 
of 40 consumer, industry, government, and academic stakeholders has a simple mandate – to 
provide the Commission with actionable recommendations on policies to improve 
communications access.  In fact, I understand that several committee members are here today.  
We thank you for your contributions.
So that’s a quick overview of what the Commission has already done to address the 
communication needs of people with cognitive disabilities. Now, let’s look ahead to what’s 
next. 
Just a few weeks ago, the Commission held a Summit on the communications needs of 
people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities.  We had some of the thought leaders from 
around the country come to the Commission and share ideas for how to ensure that 
telecommunications products and services are accessible.  Over the years, policy makers –
including us at the Commission – have focused less on access for individuals with I/DD and 
more for those with physical disabilities.  By bringing together this collection of experts, we got 
a greater understanding of the communication and technology needs of the I/DD population, so 
that we can work together to find ways that the Commission can better address these needs.
To be clear, this Summit was not some intellectual exercise. Its purpose was to inform 
and inspire action, and that’s exactly what happening. 
The Summit identified two pressing challenges: first, the lack of equipment and services 
that meet the unique and varied needs of people with cognitive disabilities; and, second, the lack 
of awareness across government and the private sector about accessibility rights and enforcement 
mechanisms. 
Drawing from these lessons learned, we have charted out next steps. 
It starts with a more comprehensive needs assessment to determine the types of 
accessibility features needed to advance the current state-of-play. We look forward to working 
with you, telecommunications companies, our Disability Advisory Committee, and other 
stakeholders to convene a roundtable for this purpose.
Next, we will begin targeted outreach efforts in early 2016 not only to educate 
individuals with cognitive disabilities about their rights to communications products and 
services, but also to engage individuals who can help.
Then we plan to step up engagement with other agencies, with requests for expanded 
research on these issues. 
By mid-2016, our goal is to have a Cognitive Accessibility Pledge for 
telecommunications carriers, service providers, and government stakeholders that outlines 
principles for an inclusive ICT ecosystem and a commitment to greater engagement for 
policymaking and innovation. 
We will expand the Commission’s Advancements in Accessibility Awards, given out 
each June, to recognize pioneering efforts to empower people with cognitive disabilities by 
ensuring they have the communications tools they need to become independent and productive. 
To culminate these efforts, we are pointing to issuing a white paper next fall that 
compiles the lessons of these activities.  This of course, will inform further progress.
My favorite expression when dealing with disabilities issues is, “This is only the 
beginning.”  The issues related to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are 
now on our agenda.  We are open for business.
With continuing advances in technology, I believe that if we can imagine it, we can do it. 
So let’s ask ourselves, “What do we want the world to look like for individuals with cognitive 
disabilities in 30 years? 20 years? 10 years?” Then let’s push to realize that vision and expand
opportunities for individuals with cognitive disabilities . . . and then push some more. Working 
together, anything is possible. Let’s make it happen.
Thank you.