[oregon-l] Interesting Comments from the Department of Justice on Ada and Technology

[Kae Seth]

The following is fromEric Bridges Acb's director of Governmental Affairs:

Below is a very interesting and exciting   excerpt from a presentation that 
Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez made last week at a law symposium at 
NFB's head quarters.



Eric

*** Excerpt***

Technology has revolutionized our economy and culture. It has made 
communicating, obtaining information, entertainment, education and goods 
easier and more efficient. But many of these technologies, from Web sites to 
cell phones, from ticket kiosks to TV set-top devices, are either in whole 
or in part inaccessible to persons who are blind and other people with 
disabilities.



And though we have seen some voluntary efforts by companies once the matter 
is brought to their attention, far too many companies choose to forgo what I 
believe must be a profitable investment in making their products and 
services accessible to all consumers. We have a population that is aging, 
and making products accessible will only increase their customer base.

The technology to make electronics accessible exists, and is relatively 
affordable to implement.







Let me be clear. It is and has been the position of the Department of 
Justice since the late 1990s that Title III of the ADA applies to Web sites. 
We intend to issue regulations under our







Title III authority in this regard to help companies comply with their 
obligations to provide equal access.







Companies that do not consider accessibility in their Web site or product 
development will come to regret that decision, because we intend to use 
every tool at our disposal to ensure that people with disabilities have 
equal access to technology and the worlds that technology opens up.