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Senator Markey Demands Musk Reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team

Published: 2023-02-27
Author: Senator Edward J. Markey - Contact: markey.senate.gov
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Synopsis: Senator Markey demands Elon Musk reinstate Twitter's accessibility team and online features for users with disabilities. In his letter to the company, Senator Markey highlighted various devastating changes under Musk's leadership for disabled Twitter users, including Twitter Spaces no longer offering automatic closed captions, which prevents users who are deaf or hard of hearing from engaging with Spaces.

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Markey's letter to Musk: "All of these changes under your leadership signal a disregard for the needs of disabled people."

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Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) is calling on Chief Executive Officer of Twitter Elon Musk to reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team and support the development and implementation of critical online features so that users with disabilities can fully access and utilize the social media platform. In his letter to the company, Senator Markey highlighted a variety of devastating changes under Musk's leadership for disabled Twitter users, including Twitter Spaces no longer offering automatic closed captions, which prevents users who are deaf or hard of hearing from engaging with Spaces.

"Twitter has a responsibility to ensure that its platform is open and accessible to disabled users," wrote Senator Markey. "Yet, you recently eliminated Twitter's Accessibility Team, which played a crucial role in developing and implementing essential features for Twitter users with disabilities. Not surprisingly, since you shut down Twitter's Accessibility Team, disabled users have reported increased difficulty and frustration using Twitter. I urge you to immediately reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team and take all necessary steps to promote accessibility for disabled Twitter users."

The Senator continued:

"All of these changes under your leadership signal a disregard for the needs of disabled people. Consequently, Twitter users with disabilities are questioning their ability to continue to use the platform, and many have already left it entirely."

In the letter, Senator Markey requested Twitter provide answers to the following questions by March 17, 2023:

Senator Markey is the author of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), which mandates accessibility of devices and services for the millions of Americans with disabilities and enables the use of a wide range of devices and services needed in the digital era. In November 2022, Senator Markey introduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act, which updates and amends the CVAA to keep pace with the proliferation of emerging technologies that have come online since Senator Markey's 2010 bill was passed with bipartisan support. The new legislation would:

Last November, following Musk taking control of Twitter, Senator Markey called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and enforce Twitter's privacy consent decree and to investigate the company's violation of any consumer protection laws. In the same month, after a Washington Post reporter obtained the Twitter handle "@realedmarkey" with a purchased blue verification check, Senator Markey demanded accountability and highlighted that the company's lax verification practices undermine the ability for users to be critical consumers of news and information on the platform.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed article relating to our Disability Groups and Communities section was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "Senator Markey Demands Musk Reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team" was originally written by Senator Edward J. Markey, and published by Disabled-World.com on 2023-02-27. Should you require further information or clarification, Senator Edward J. Markey can be contacted at markey.senate.gov. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

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Cite This Page (APA): Senator Edward J. Markey. (2023, February 27). Senator Markey Demands Musk Reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team. Disabled World. Retrieved September 26, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/communication/community/markey-musk.php

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