ADA Internet Hearing Set

["Paul W. Schroeder" <pws@afb.net>]

Dear Colleagues:

Well, it's official. The ADA/Internet hearing is set, and the witness
lists look like they're set too. Please distirube this info as widely as
you can.

I encourage those in the DC area to attend. We need to show the interest
of the disability community in Internet access. I also encourage our
friends in the Internet industry to make it known that Internet access is
not burdensome to achieve. 

Whatever your feelings might be about ADA applicability to the Internet
or INternet regulation in general, I think it would be unfortunate and
inaccurate if this hearing produced a feeling that INternet access for
people with disabilities is difficult, unimportant or not practical. We
now have two sets of recommended guidelines from the W3 and a third well
on its way. The foundation for access is there, we just need to build on
that and not let the "noise" that might be generated from this
hearing distract us from that.     

Here are a few particulars on the hearing.

---------

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION
NOTICE OF MEETING
Oversight hearing on 
"The Applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to
Private
Internet Sites"

Date:     Wednesday, February 9, 2000
Time:     1:00 p.m.
Location: 2237 Rayburn House Office Building

Majority Witnesses:

Dennis Hayes, U.S. Internet Industry Association, and creator of the
Hayes modem. 

Susan Conway, U.S. Internet Industry Association, Web Designer

Walter Olson, Manhattan Institute, Attorney

Elizabeth Domeny, the Federalist Society, Attorney

Glen Lipke, web designer 

The Minority Witnesses are:

Judy Brewer, World Wide Web, Web Accessibility Initiative

Gary Wunder, NFB Misouri, blind user 

Peter Blanck, Professor, Univ. of Iowa, College of Law, Attorney

---------

Paul W. Schroeder
Director, National Technology Program
American Foundation for the Blind