Following, in its entirety, is a public notice seeking nominations for
membership on the Consumer/Disability Telecommunications Advisory
Committee.  This public notice can also be found on the Disabilities Rights
Office website at www.fcc.gov/cib/dro/  in text and Microsoft word formats
for downloading.
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DA 00-2692
 Released: November 30, 2000
FCC REQUESTS NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE CONSUMER/DISABILITY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
At the 10th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Torch
Relay, in Los Angeles, California, Chairman William E. Kennard announced
the Commission's intention to form a Consumer/Disability Telecommunications
Advisory Committee (Committee).  The Committee will make recommendations to
the Commission regarding consumer and disability issues within the
jurisdiction of the Commission in order to facilitate the participation of
consumers (including people with disabilities and underserved populations)
in proceedings before the Commission. The Committee will be organized
under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 2 (1988) (FACA).

FUNCTIONS
The Committee will provide general guidance to the Commission, and will
make specific recommendations on issues and questions presented to it
through the Commission's Consumer Information Bureau (CIB).  The issues or
questions referred to the Committee will include, but are not limited to,
the following topic areas:

* Consumer Protection and Education (e.g., cramming, slamming, consumer
friendly billing, detariffing, bundling of services, Lifeline/Linkup
programs, customer service, privacy, telemarketing abuses, and outreach to
underserved populations).
* Access by People with Disabilities (e.g., telecommunications relay
services, video description, captioning, accessible billing, and access to
telecommunications products and services).
* Impact of New and Emerging Technologies (e.g., availability of Broadband,
digital television, cable, satellite, low power FM, and the convergence of
these and emerging technologies).

It is anticipated that the Committee will meet a minimum of two times per
year in Washington, D.C., and that approximately three informal
subcommittees will be established to facilitate the Committee's work
between meetings of the full Committee.  Each Committee meeting will be
open to the public.  A notice of each meeting will be published in the
Federal Register at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting.
Records will be maintained of each meeting and made available for public
inspection.

MEMBERSHIP
The Commission seeks applications from interested individuals or
organizations from both the public and private sectors that wish to be
considered for membership on the Committee. Selections will be made on the
basis of factors such as expertise and viewpoints that are necessary to
address effectively the questions presented to the Committee.  Members
should be recognized experts in their fields, including, but not limited
to, consumer advocacy organizations, organizations representing persons
with disabilities, representatives of underserved populations, equipment
manufacturers, telecommunications service providers (including wireless),
broadcast/cable providers, state/local regulators, and/or other qualified
persons serving in their individual capacities.  

Members must be willing to commit to a two-year term of service, should be
willing and able to attend a minimum of two (2) one-day meetings per year
of the Committee held in Washington, D.C., and are also expected to
participate in deliberations of at least one subcommittee.  The Commission
is unable to pay per diem or travel costs.  

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP/ DEADLINE
Applications should be received by the Commission no later than January 15,
2001, and should be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer
Information Bureau, Attn. Scott Marshall, 445 12th Street S.W. Washington,
DC 20554 or can be sent via email to [log in to unmask]  

Applications should include the representative's name (and for
organizations, the name of an alternate), title, address and telephone
number, a statement of the interests represented and the consumer and/or
disability issues of interest to the applicant; and a description of the
applicant's qualifications. The application should further be supported by
a statement indicating a willingness to serve on the Committee for a two
year period of time; to attend a minimum of two (2) one-day meetings per
year in Washington DC; and a commitment to work on at least one
subcommittee; at the applicant's own expense.  Members will have an initial
and continuing obligation to disclose any interests in, or connections to,
persons or entities that are, or will be, regulated by or have interests
before the Commission.  

After the applications have been reviewed, the Commission will publish a
notice in the Federal Register announcing the appointment of the Committee
members and the first meeting date of the Committee.  It is anticipated
that the first Committee meeting will take place in March of 2001. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Marshall, Consumer Information
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington,
D.C. 20554. Telephone 202-418-2809 (voice) or 202-418-0179 (TTY). 

- FCC -
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If you have questions, concerns or need assistance in regard to disability
issues, please do not hesitate to contact us at [log in to unmask] 
            The Disabilities Rights Office