Below is a mailing I copied from another list.  I think if entertainment is
going to require video description than it must be much more important for
educational video to meet or pass the same requirements.
Norman Coombs

>Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 04:47:27 -0500
>From: Rev Clyde Shideler <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Video Description Public Notice
>Sender:
> "BLIND-DEV: Development of Adaptive Hardware & Software for the Blind/VI"
> <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>X-To: [log in to unmask]
>Reply-to:
> "BLIND-DEV: Development of Adaptive Hardware & Software for the Blind/VI"
> <[log in to unmask]>
>X-VMS-To: IN%"[log in to unmask]"
>
>** Confidential **
>
>DA Number 02-417
>Released: February 25, 2002
>
>THE CONSUMER INFOMRATION BUREAU REMINDS THE PUBLIC THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION
>OF VIDEO DESCRIPTION FOR VIDEO PROGRAMMING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE APRIL 1,
2002
>
>MM DOCKET NO. 99-339
>
>The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind the disability community and
>video programming distributors that the implementation of the Commission's
>video description rules for video programming will become effective April
>1, 2002.  Video description is the description of key visual elements in
>programming, inserted into natural pauses in the audio of programming
>designed to make television programming more accessible to the many
>Americans who have visual disabilities.  This technology enables
>individuals to "hear what they cannot see."  Video description provides the
>many benefits of television to the blind and low vision community and to
>individuals with learning disabilities.
>
>Under the new rules adopted July 21, 2000 by the Commission, broadcast
>stations and multi-channel video programming distributors must begin
>providing programming with video description no later than June 2002.   The
>Commission encouraged affected parties to make necessary arrangements to
>describe the programming, and to upgrade their equipment and infrastructure
>before the effective date arrives.
>
>FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PUBLIC NOTICE CONTACT:  Consumer
>Information Bureau, Disabilities Rights Office:  Dana Jackson (202)
>418-2247 (voice) or (202) 418-7898 (TTY) or the Consumer Information
>Bureau's Disabilities Rights Office (202) 418-2517 (voice) or (202)
>418-0189 (TTY).
>
>This document is available to individuals with disabilities requiring
>accessible formats (electronic ASCII test, Braille, large print, and audio)
>by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 (voice) or (202) 418-7365
>(TTY), or by sending an email to [log in to unmask]
>-FCC-
>
>
>---
>