{"635304":{"#nid":"635304","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Technology and Disability Policy Highlights - April 2020","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band available for unlicensed use to help the deployment of WiFi 6. According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the agency suggests the use of the 6 GHz band for low-power devices like \u0026quot;accessibility technology for Americans with disabilities, virtual reality gaming, augmented reality glasses, in-vehicle systems, and other emerging technologies.\u0026quot; However, while some actively await the opportunity of WiFi 6, other organizations have raised concerns. The opinions of those in favor and those against the FCC\u0026#39;s decision are discussed in the newsletter. Also on the FCC docket is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to expand video description regulations. Starting on January 1, 2021, and continuing annually for four years, the NPRM proposes that ten additional designated market areas be added; the FCC invites comment on this proposal, specifically seeking, among other things to understand the economic impact of COVID-19 on the reasonableness of the proposed expansion requirements. Also related to COVID-19, the FCC released a Report and Order [\u003Cstrong\u003E85 FR 19892; 47 CFR 54\u003C\/strong\u003E] establishing a COVID-19 Telehealth Program and a Connected Care Pilot Program.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn Wireless RERC news, we have extended the deadline for paper proposal submissions for a special issue of the \u003Cem\u003EAssistive Technology\u003C\/em\u003E journal to May 15, 2020. Read the full \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.wirelessrerc.gatech.edu\/call-papers-wireless-inclusive-rerc-state-technology-forum-2020\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ecall for papers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E for details. We also continue data collection for our \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/bit.ly\/wRERC-SUN2020\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2020 Survey of User Needs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. If you haven\u0026#39;t already, please take the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/bit.ly\/wRERC-SUN2020\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Esurvey\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Finally, the Wireless RERC submitted comments to the FCC in response to their Public Notice \u003Cem\u003EIn the Matter of the Accessibility of Communications Technologies for the 2020 Biennial Report Required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act\u003C\/em\u003E [\u003Cstrong\u003ECG Docket No. 10-213\u003C\/strong\u003E].\u0026nbsp;Overall, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.wirelessrerc.gatech.edu\/wireless-rerc-record-accessibility-new-communications-technologies-and-lifeline-provided-mobile\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ethe comments\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E indicated the industry\u0026#39;s growth in the accessibility and affordability of advanced communications technologies, as evidenced by the increasing presence and richness of new accessibility features on Lifeline-provided mobile devices. However, some access gaps remain, particularly regarding new communications technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis issue also includes news about video relay service, I-Connect Plus, Autism Spectrum Disorder, the Tech Access Initiative, Text-to-911, Smart Home Tech, and more.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band available for unlicensed use to help the deployment of WiFi 6. According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the agency suggests the use of the 6 GHz b"}],"uid":"35301","created_gmt":"2020-05-12 16:18:06","changed_gmt":"2020-05-12 16:18:06","author":"jmckinney38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-05-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-05-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.wirelessrerc.gatech.edu\/technology-and-disability-policy-highlights-february-2020","title":"TDPH April 2020"}],"groups":[{"id":"47427","name":"Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP)"}],"categories":[{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@cacp.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}