Wireless Association® to Focus on Accessibility and Disability Issues

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CTIA-The Wireless Association® and the wireless industry have been leaders in driving an ever-growing range of choices and opportunities for all consumers, including persons with disabilities, because wireless devices are uniquely positioned to meet these needs. In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, CTIA has dedicated the July edition of "Wonder of Wireless" (WOW) webcast and our blog (www.ctia.org/blog) to focus on accessibility and disability issues.

Many wireless users are challenged by visual or hearing impairments, but specialized and mainstream wireless applications are becoming more accessible thanks to innovative wireless services. In this month's "Industry Insider," CTIA talks with Wireless Rehabilitation and Engineering Research Center Project Director Jim Mueller about the newest developments in this area.

In July's "Wireless at Work," segment, we see a demonstration of an application that's designed for smart phones that uses recognition technology to identify objects for visually impaired or blind wireless users, and then "tells" what the object is to the user. It can even transmit images, such as a street intersection, to another wireless user, who can in turn provide information about the user's location!

The wireless industry has a long history of developing and supporting services for the disabled community, and this month's WOW "Policy Point" takes a look at some of those measures.

The January 2010 earthquake in Haiti was a horrific catastrophe, but wireless communications played a vital role in the rescue efforts that saved thousands of lives. The Coast Guard Auxiliary's Ryan Bank is featured in the "Wireless Lifesaver" for his development of a social media wireless application that was successfully implemented in the Haitian relief efforts.

To watch the July WOW webcast, please visit: www.ctia.org/consumer_info/wow/index.cfm/2010/7/.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless trade-shows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.