Justice Department seeks public input to bridge the gap between disabled people and Internet

DOJ seeks to bridge gap between disabled, Internet

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is seeking ideas from the public on how to make the Internet more accessible to people with disabilities.

The department is planning to write rules for accessibility to the Internet as part of an effort to modernize the Americans with Disabilities Act. This year is that law’s 20th anniversary.

The department also wants public comment on how to make it easier for the disabled to access next generation 9-1-1 call centers that allow Internet emergency calls by voice, text or video.

Another proposal is aimed at creating accessibility requirements for closed captioning and video description in movie theaters.

Justice Department officials also want to improve accessibility to equipment and furniture, like ATM machines and interactive kiosks.

Online:

Justice’s planned rules: www.ada.gov/anprm2010.htm