Dear AccessWorld readers,
On May 21, I went to Las Vegas to attend CTIA 2013, the Wireless Association conference. I participated in the 2013 CTIA roundtable, "Wireless Accessibility: Building Bridges, Defining Needs, and Interpreting Policy." This roundtable was hosted by Matthew Gerst, CTIA Director, State Regulatory and External Affairs, and moderated by Mary Brooner, President of MB Consulting LLC. Other roundtable participants were: Anita Aaron, Executive Director of the World Institute on Disability, Brenda Battat, Executive Director at Hearing Loss Association of America, Christian Vogler, Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University, and John Morris, Georgia Institute of Technology, Wireless RERC.
As part of the CTIA Accessibility Outreach Initiative, member company representatives were invited to join leading accessibility experts and stakeholders in a roundtable discussion about the ways individuals with disabilities increasingly use wireless services and devices. As part of the discussion, questions were asked and answered concerning how people with varying disabilities used wireless devices and accessed information. Answers to questions about the expectations of people with disabilities were also addressed as were the expected results of pending legislation.
In addition to the moderated discussion, attendees received an FCC regulatory overview and update from Krista Witanowski, CTIA Assistant Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, and heard closing remarks from Jamie Hastings, CTIA Vice President for External and State Affairs.
It was quite an experience participating on the accessibility roundtable, attending CTIA 2013, and learning more about what the leaders in the wireless industry are thinking and where they are looking to move the future of wireless technology. Attending this conference, listening to the keynote speakers, touring the exhibit hall, and interacting with attendees puts into perspective just how fast wireless technology is moving and how it will affect us all. Without a doubt this movement will bring challenges for, among other things, personal identity, security of information, and, certainly, accessibility.
I am happy CTIA has recognized accessibility as a valid consideration in the development and implementation of wireless technology, and I encourage the organization to collaborate closely with disability advocates and accessibility experts to ensure all people can benefit from these truly unbelievable technologies on the horizon.
Keep reading AccessWorld as the team will be working to keep you up to date on advances and access to all things "technology."
Sincerely,
Lee Huffman, AccessWorld Editor-in-Chief
American Foundation for the Blind
