FCC Committee Calls for Greater Focus on Those With Cognitive Disabilities

The FCC Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) approved a recommendation Thursday saying all information and communications technology (ICT) stakeholders should stay informed about the needs of people with cognitive disabilities as communications technologies evolve. “Where appropriate, ICT stakeholders” should follow and participate in research, “learning about emerging standards and guidance from knowledgeable organizations,” the resolution said. ICT companies also should attend cognitive disability conferences and follow the discussions in online communities of people with disabilities and their caregivers, the resolution said. The FCC held a summit last October on communications difficulties faced by people with cognitive disabilities (see 1510280037). The DAC also got a report on potential problems with Apple’s new operating system, IOS 10.0.1, which offers text telephone (TTY) capabilities used by some with hearing disabilities. Toni Dunne, external affairs manager at Intrado, said 911 calls made using the service come through as “silent calls” at call centers. “IOS TTY does not send TTY tones to activate the TTY equipment at the 911 center,” she said. Christian Vogler, DAC member from Gallaudet University, confirmed the report. “Apple does know there are issues with the iOS; however, I don't know what their plan is at this time and I don’t know what your expectations are, but there are issues,” Vogler said. Apple didn’t comment. "With iOS 10 and a cellular connection on your iPhone, you can make TTY calls without any extra hardware," said an Apple support webpage. "You can also find transcripts of your previous TTY calls.”