Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)

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Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996

On February 8, 1996, the President Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility guidelines in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under section 255(e) of the Act for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment.

Section 255 provides that a manufacturer of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment shall ensure that the equipment is designed, developed, and fabricated to be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable. A provider of telecommunications services shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable. Whenever either of these is not readily achievable, a manufacturer or provider shall ensure that the equipment or service is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access, if readily achievable. People with disabilities will have access to a broad range of products and services - such as telephones, cell phones, pagers, call-waiting, and operator services.

Section 255(f) provides that the FCC shall have exclusive jurisdiction in any enforcement action under section 255. It also precludes an individual’s private right of action to enforce any requirement of section 255 or any regulation issued pursuant to section 255. However, a person with a disability may file a complaint with the FCC if he or she does experience problems with a manufacturer or service provider of telecommunication equipment.

Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 and Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996

Another Federal law that increases accessibility for persons with disabilities is the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990. Television Decoder Circuitry Act requires that since July of 1993, all television sets sold in the United States with screens 13 inches or larger (measured diagonally) to have built-in decoder circuitry for closed captioning.

In addition, under Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC has adopted rules requiring closed captioning of most, though not all, television programming. The rules became effective January 1, 1998. The rules create transition periods during which the amount of closed-captioned programming will gradually increase. Under the rules, there are two categories of programming: new programming and pre-rule programming. Certain exemptions from the captioning requirements apply to both categories of programming.

Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act)

The intent of the HAC Act is to ensure reasonable access to telephone service by persons with hearing disabilities. As of August 16, 1989, all telephones manufactured or imported for use in the U.S. have been required to be hearing aid compatible. Cordless telephones manufactured or imported for use in the U.S. have also been required to be hearing aid compatible since August 16, 1991. Secure telephones are exempt, as are telephones used with public mobile services or private radio services.

For more information on Assistive Technology, please contact:

  • Jill Sherman-Pleasant, Project Director
    Arizona Technology Access Program
    Institute for Human Development
    Northern Arizona University

AzTAP provides support to five Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) in Arizona. These RRCs provide direct assistive technology services to persons with disabilities, and are available to help consumers select the most appropriate devices, and advocate for themselves in order to acquire funding for devices and services.

  • ASSIST! To Independence
    • Contact Person: Ann O'Connor
      PO Box 4133
      Tuba City, AZ 86045
      Email: assist01@frontiernet.net
      Voice/TTY: (928) 283-6261
      Toll-Free:    (928) 523-4909
  • IHD Assistive Technology Center
    Institute for Human Development
    Northern Arizona University
    • Building 27, Room 171
      PO Box 5630
      Flagstaff, AZ 86011
      Email: Janis.Doneski-Nicol@nau.edu
      Voice:  (928) 523-5878
      TTY:    (928) 523-1695
      Fax:     (928) 523-9127
      Toll-Free: (928) 523-4909
  • Southwest Human Development
    • 2850 N. 24th Street
      Phoenix, AZ 85008
      Website :     http://www.swhd.org
      Voice/TTY: (602) 266-5976 ext. 4125
  • Technology Access Center of Tucson (TACT)
    • 4710 E. 29th Street, PO Box 13178
      Tucson, AZ 85732-3178
      Email :  tact1@qwestoffice.net
      Voice:  (520) 519-1776
The mission of the Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP) is to increase access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individual with disabilities and their families through systems change and advocacy. Program staff work with consumers, service providers, state agencies, private industry, legislators, and other interested individuals to facilitate the development of a statewide system of AT services.

This document was developed by the Arizona Technology Access Program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H224A40002. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR or the U.S. Department of Education, and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Please contact the AzTAP office for a copy of this material in an alternate format. Rev. 07/05