The Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC) met at the National Science Foundation in Arlington , Va. on July 16-18 for a full committee meeting. TEITAC's report and discussion on telecommunications took place Tuesday afternoon and focused on real-time text; interactive voice response; caller status and information; and how VoIP will be affected by these recommendations in light of the uncertainty of its regulatory classification.

In preparation for the meeting, the subcommittees meet via conference call weekly and the subcommittees came together every three months to report on their working drafts to the whole committee.

he final report is expected in late 2007. TEITAC will use these suggestions to make recommendations to the Access Board on updates of accessibility standards issued under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines under section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 .  However, these are only recommendations and the Access Board does not have to accept them (nor does the FCC).  It is thought likely, however, that both agencies will rely heavily on the recommendations.

TEITAC, organized July 6, 2006 by the U.S. Access Board is tasked with providing recommendations for updates of accessibility standards issued under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and guidelines under section 255 of the Telecommunications Act . Committee members represents more than 40 industry, disability groups and standard-setting bodies in the United States and abroad, and government agencies, among others. TEITAC is composed of several sub-committees and taskforces, including a Telecommunication Subcommittee; TIA is represented by Mary Brooner of Motorola and Fred Lucas of FAL Associates.

< Back to Top >