---- Original Message ------
From: "Pratik Patel" <[log in to unmask]
Subject: [leadership] CEA LAUNCHES WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP 
STANDARDS FORACCESSIBILITY FEATURES IN TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS
Date sent: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 20:48:59 -0400

Dear all,



Right at the heals of the passage of S3304, the Consumer 
Electronics
Association has decided to start a working group to consider 
standards
related to accessibility features in electronic devices.  Please 
see the
linked press release below for more information.



Regards,



Pratik



http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=1
1941



FOR RELEASE


Contacts:

Sarah Myers
tel: 703-907-4368
e-mail: [log in to unmask]

Megan Pollock
tel: 703-907-7668
e-mail: [log in to unmask]




CEA LAUNCHES WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP STANDARDS FOR ACCESSIBILITY 
FEATURES
IN TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS
Standards to Focus on Enhanced Accessibility Features Including 
Tactile
Feedback

  _____


Arlington, Virginia

8/9/2010


The Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA)R Video Systems 
Committee today
announced the launch of a new working group to develop standards 
for
enhanced accessibility features in video devices.  The working 
group - called
R4 WG19 - will develop standards and guidelines focused on 
enhanced
accessibility features in video devices, providing direction for 
product
implementations that benefit the accessibility community and 
consumer
electronics manufacturers.  CEA seeks participation in the 
working group by
designers, engineers, manufacturers, users with disabilities and
accessibility design specialists.

"The video systems and home entertainment markets are driving 
forces behind
the global success of the consumer technology industry," said 
Brian
Markwalter, vice president of Research and Standards for CEA.  
"CEA's new
working group will establish standards and recommended practices 
that will
improve accessibility features in these devices and will 
ultimately lead to
more innovative and user-friendly technology products that 
benefit the
accessibility community and the CE industry as a whole."

The working group will initially focus on tactile feedback 
features of
remote controls to assist in locating and distinguishing buttons 
and
features on TV, recorder, audio and other remote-controlled 
devices.  Further
projects may include other standards surrounding accessibility 
issues in
video devices - features critically important to consumers with 
visual or
auditory impairments, for example.

CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry 
growth by
developing industry standards and technical specifications that 
enable new
products to come to market and encourage interoperability with 
existing
devices.  CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and 
flexible
standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation.  Through 
more than
70 committees, subcommittees and working groups, the CEA 
Technology and
Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where 
technical
professionals throughout the industry develop a unified 
technology roadmap
and address technical issues critical to the CE industry growth.  
For
information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit 
www.CE.org/standards.

For more information, or to join the R4 WG19 working group, 
please contact
Alayne Bell at [log in to unmask]


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