Thread Subject: Re: Section 508 and the new TCoil requirements

Note

This archival content is maintained by WebAIM and NCDAE on behalf of TEITAC and the U.S. Access Board . Additional details on the updates to section 508 and section 255 can be found at the Access Board web site.

From: Rebecca Schwartz
Date: Mon, Nov 13 2006 2:50 PM

I think this is another reason why harmomization between 508 and 255 are
so important. It would ensure that the industry and government are on
the same page.

Also, I don't want to state the obvious but someone had asked on the
call earlier what the differences between FCC 255 regs and Section 508
regs are...at least in regard to audio output Section 508 requires a
minimum of 20 Db, while Section 255 requires a minimum of 12.

To answer another question, the federal government does issue cell
phones because hill staffers get cell phones and Blackberries and most
agencies have ethics rules relating to the use of government-issued cell
phones.

Rebecca Schwartz, Esq.
Manager, Regulatory and Government Affairs
TIA
2500 Wilson Blvd. Ste. 300
Arlington, VA 22201
703.907.7477 (OFFICE)
703.395.7511 (CELL)
703.907.7727 (FAX)

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Diane
Golden
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 4:27 PM
To: 'TEITAC Telecommunications Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-telecom] Section 508 and the new TCoil requirements

Unfortunately, the 508 standards relative to hearing aid compatibility
are two of the least measurable making it very difficult for a
procurement review to judge conformance. Specifically 508 requires that
products purchased must provide -- "a means for effective magnetic
wireless coupling to hearing technologies . . . " and "interference to
hearing technologies shall be reduced to the lowest possible level . .
." Unless procurement officials are really astute and happen to know
about ANSI standards and ask vendors for that information and/or the bid
solicitation adds information about the expectation that the product
will conform to ANSI standards, conformance to the ANSI standards may or
may not be checked.

Diane

Diane Cordry Golden, Ph.D., Director
Missouri Assistive Technology
816/350-5280 (direct voice)
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
www.at.mo.gov


-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]On Behalf Of Brenda
Battat
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 3:02 PM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; TEITAC Telecommunications Subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-telecom] Section 508 and the new TCoil requirements


Does the Federal government provide employees with cell phones?

The telecoil requirement applies to digital wireless handsets. I don't
know if the Federal government procures wireless handsets for their
employees but if they do then they should procure handsets that meet
both the microphone (M3/4) and telecoil (T3/4) ratings according to ANSI
C63.19 standard. Otherwise employees who use hearing aids or cochlear
implants may not be able to use the phone as it may generate
interference with the hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Reasons for purchasing handsets according to these specifications even
though the department is not providing cell phones to all employees is
that the employee with hearing loss may not know of the problem of
interference and may assume all wireless phones have HAC built in just
like all landline phones. They will be in for a big surprise as only a
percentage of wireless phones have to meet the accessibility
requirements.







Brenda Battat
Associate Executive Director
Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly SHHH)
301-657-2248 phone
301-913-9413 fax


-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Michael R.
Burks
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 3:12 PM
To: 'TEITAC Telecommunications Subcommittee'
Subject: [teitac-telecom] Section 508 and the new TCoil requirements

All,

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether a phone has to conform to the
new Tcoil requirements that took effect on September 18, 2006 to be
Section 508
Confrorming>

Mike Burks

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