Policy Links

Advocacy

American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) website contains extensive resources and information on advocacy to help individuals and organizations take action to ensure that government programs and policies meet the needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Information is presented on legislation affecting persons with visual impairments along with resources to help individuals work more effectively with public officials. Information about AFB's advocacy efforts, including statements to Congress and regulatory agencies, can be found here.  AFB’s primary focus is federal and state programs affecting education and rehabilitation of blind persons, as well as laws that relate to economic status and civil rights.

American Association of People with Disabilities

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD works in coalition with other disability organizations for the full implementation and enforcement of disability nondiscrimination laws, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technologies                                                                                                                            

COAT is a new coalition of disability  organizations that advocates for legislative and regulatory safeguards that will ensure full access by people with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and other Internet protocol (IP) technologies.

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Telecommunications and Technology Task Force

The CCD is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. The Telecommunications and Technology Task Force deals with issues related to access to telecommunications and assistive technology in education, employment and independent living.

Hearing Loss Association of America

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s largest organization for people with hearing loss. HLAA exists to open the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA has 12 state organizations in the states of CA, NC, NJ, NY, FL, WI, OR, GA, TX, MI, WA and PA. Six states hold state or regional conferences. PA and NJ hold leadership trainings. The conferences generate revenue for the state organization, raise awareness of HLAA in each state and bring in new members. Rather than conferences on general hearing loss information, some states chose to focus on specific topics such as assistive technology, employment and leadership.

National Organization on Disability

The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.  The NOD fulfills its mission to expand the participation and contribution of Americans with disabilities in all aspects of life through programs that raise disability awareness, encourage physical and attitudinal accessibility, create community partnerships, and provide opportunities for employment and growth.

United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) has joined forces with The Arc of the United States in establishing the Disability Policy Collaboration. This Collaboration focuses on legislative and legal supports to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. The Disability Policy Collaboration staff interact with Congress and the Administration to meet the goal of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.
From the ADA to Direct Care Personnel, from Education to Health, from Housing to Labor-HHS-Education, from Social Security to Technology—UCP advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities.  UCP's online Action Center allows citizens to send a personalized or pre-written message to their members of Congress, thus increasing the volume of messages supporting various positions on an issue.

World Institute on Disability

The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a nonprofit research, public policy and advocacy center dedicated to promoting the civil rights and full societal inclusion of people with disabilities. WID's work focuses on four areas: employment and economic development; accessible health care and Personal Assistance Services; inclusive technology design; and international disability and development.

Legislative

THOMAS (Library of Congress)

THOMAS was launched in January of 1995, at the inception of the 104th Congress. The leadership of the 104th Congress directed the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. Since that time THOMAS has expanded the scope of its offerings to include: bills and resolutions, activity in Congress, the Congressional Record, Congressional schedules and calendars, treaties, presidential nominations additional government and teacher resources. 

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce
maintains principal responsibility for legislative oversight relating to telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health, air quality and environmental health, the supply and delivery of energy, and interstate and foreign commerce in general. This jurisdiction extends over five Cabinet-level departments and seven independent agencies--from the Energy Department, Health and Human Services, the Transportation Department to the Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration, and Federal Communications Commission—and sundry quasi-governmental organizations.

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is composed of 10 Subcommittees, which together oversee for the vast range of issues under it jurisdiction. These issues range from communications, highways, aviation, rail, shipping, transportation security, merchant marine, the Coast Guard, oceans, fisheries, climate change, disasters, science, space, interstate commerce, tourism, consumer issues, economic development, technology, competitiveness, product safety, and insurance.

U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has a broad jurisdiction over the operation of the nation’s health care, schools, employment and retirement programs.

Federal

The Access Board

The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. It operates with about 30 staff and a governing board of representatives from Federal departments and public members appointed by the President. Key responsibilities of the Board include: developing and maintaining accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and standards enforcing accessibility standards for federally funded facilities. Note especially the section on compliance with Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Section 255), which requires access to new telecommunications and customer premises equipment where "readily achievable."

Department of Homeland Security: Interagency Coordinating Council on People with Disabilities

The Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities was established to ensure that the Federal government appropriately supports safety and security for individuals with disabilities in disaster situations.

Disabilityinfo.gov

DisabilityInfo.gov is the federal government's one-stop Web site for information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and many others. To support the goals of the New Freedom InitiativePresident George W. Bush directed federal agencies to create DisabilityInfo.gov in order to connect people with disabilities to the information and resources they need to pursue their personal and professional ambitions - delivering on America's promise of equal access to opportunity for all. The technology section of the website provides information on accessibility, assistive and adaptive technology and laws and regulations related to technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, is a United States federal agency tasked with ending employment discrimination in the United States.  The EEOC enforces Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Title I of the ADA prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Federal Communication Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

The FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) develops and implements the Commission’s consumer policies, including disability access. It serves as the public face of the Commission through outreach and education, as well as through its Consumer Center, which is responsible for responding to consumer inquiries and complaints. CGB also maintains collaborative partnerships with state, local, and tribal governments in such critical areas as emergency preparedness and implementation of new technologies.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) continuing mission within the Department of Homeland Security is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.  FEMA provides information for people with disabilities or special needs in the event of an emergency. 

Federal Labs Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC)

06.06 - The Federal Labs Consortium for Technology Transfer(FLC) is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking the laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace. Formally chartered in 1986, the FLC today includes hundreds of federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies. The FLC's driving mission is to promote and facilitate the rapid movement of federal laboratory research results and technologies into the mainstream of the United States (U.S.) economy. Among its many objectives includes working with assistive technology researchers and developers to find ways and opportunities to transfer federal technologies for use by that community.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that studies how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. GAO advises Congress and the heads of executive about ways to make government more effective and responsive. GAO evaluates federal programs, audits federal expenditures, and issues legal opinions. When GAO reports its findings to Congress, it recommends actions. Its work leads to laws and acts that improve government operations, and save billions of dollars.

Health and Human Services Office on Disability

The Health and Human Services Office on Disability oversees the coordination, development and implementation of programs and special initiatives within HHS that impact people with disabilities.

Interagency Committee on Disability Research

Established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Interagency Committee on Disability Research promotes coordination and cooperation among federal departments and agencies conducting rehabilitation research programs; identifies, assesses, and seeks to coordinate all federal programs, activities, and projects, and plans for such programs, activities, and projects with respect to the conduct of research related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities; receives input from individuals with disabilities and/or their representatives in pursuance of its mission; and submits an annual report to the president and to appropriate committees of the Congress on recommendations with respect to coordination of policy and the development of objectives and priorities for all federal agencies related to disability and rehabilitation research.

National Council on Disability (NCD)

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The NCD was established to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all people with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and to empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

NIDRR, created in 1978, is a national leader in sponsoring research, and one of three components of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education. NIDRR operates in concert with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). NIDRR generates, disseminates and promotes new knowledge to improve the options available to disabled persons. NIDRR's focus includes research in areas such as employment; health and function; technology for access and function; independent living and community integration; and other associated disability research areas. Webpage on legislation and policy in general.

Industry Associations and Publications

The Benton Foundation

The Benton Foundation is a  private foundation, an institutional hybrid, bridging the worlds of philanthropy, public policy and community action. Benton acts as a nonpartisan knowledge broker, convener, public interest advocate and policy analyst.  Benton publishes Communications-Related Headlines, a free, daily news summary service on the latest communications news. The news summary keeps readers informed of developments in the world of media and telecommunications.

Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)

CTIA - The Wireless Association®, is an international organization representing all sectors of wireless communications – cellular, personal communication services and enhanced specialized mobile radio. 

Warren Communications Daily

Warren Communications News, Inc was originally established to cover the emerging new medium of "television," WCN has constantly expanded its expertise to embrace new communications fields. Today the company is acknowledged as the leading publisher of hard news, analysis and research in the fields of telecom, broadcasting, the Internet, satellites, consumer electronics and related industries. Warren newsletters include Communications Daily, Communications Business Daily, Washington Internet Daily, Consumer Electronics Daily, Washington Telecom NewsWire, Telecom A.M., Television A.M., The State Telephone Regulation Report and Satellite Week, among others. 

Wireless Week

Wireless Week is a wireless-industry site with in-depth coverage and breaking news on mobile business, technology, regulations, information, analytics and data as well as m-commerce, e-commerce and community features.

Other

Burton Blatt Institute

The Burton Blatt Institute, located at Syracuse University, will build the premier organization to advance civic, economic, and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society by creating a collaborative environment—with entrepreneurial innovation and best business practices—to foster public-private dialogue, and create the capacity to transform policy, systems, and people through inclusive education, the workforce, and communities.

The Law, Health Policy and Disability Center: University of Iowa

The Law, Health Policy, and Disability Center is an emerging leader in law, technology, education and research. We are focused on improving the quality of life for persons living with disabilities. Based at the University of Iowa College of Law, with offices in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, the center concentrates on public policy and its impact on persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on employment, self-determination and self-sufficiency.