Society is increasingly dependent on e-mail, cell phones, voicemail and the Internet for work and communication, but people with disabilities can be left out when these technologies are not accessible. WID laid the public policy groundwork for Section 255 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which requires telecommunications companies to make their products and services accessible to consumers with disabilities. WID also was an important advocate for the 1998 amendments to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federal government agencies to comply with the Section 508 accessibility standards when procuring, developing, maintaining or using electronic and information technologies.

WID now advises the information technology and telecommunications industry on how to make their products and services accessible. WID develops public policy recommendations, identifies best practices and offers training on assisting consumers to find accessible technology.
 

For more information, contact Kathy Martinez, Executive Director, at kathy@wid.org.