Pledges Industry Support for Accessibility through Creation of Voluntary Standards and Free Market Innovation. "Our objective is to meet the needs of disabled Americans while retaining the freedom we need to continue as the greatest innovation creator," said Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in testimony delivered today before a congressional committee. Testifying on behalf of CEA, Shapiro made his comments before a hearing held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Communications, Telecommunication and the Internet exploring, "The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009." Shapiro agreed on the value of a centralized database of all products and services for Americans with disabilities. He explained CEA's concern that H.R. 3101, by requiring all Internet connected products and services be accessible by Americans with all disabilities, would freeze technology and deter innovation and entrepreneurs. Shapiro suggested several alternatives to the end goal of providing Americans access to information, education and entertainment. "The legislation before us - H.R. 3101 - is extremely broad in its scope; chilling innovation and the entry of new products. More, it ignores the increasing number of products on the market which serve the needs of many in the disability community." Note: while we disagree with this argument, we are posting this article in the interest of giving the NCDAE community the full scope of this critical issue

Source: http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4198347

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