Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines; Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, 19839-19840 [E6-5761]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
necessary to allow intergovernmental
organizations such as ECAC as well as
members of industry sufficient time to
analyze the impact of the proposed rule
and is granting a 60-day extension,
which we expect will result in more
thorough comments to the docket than
might otherwise be possible.
Accordingly, the Department finds that
good cause exists to extend the
comment period on the proposed rule
from April 24, 2006, to June 24, 2006.
Issued in Washington, DC this 11th day of
April, 2006, under authority assigned to me
by 14 CFR 385.17 (c).
Neil Eisner,
Assistant General Counsel for Regulation and
Enforcement, U.S. Department of
Transportation.
[FR Doc. E6–5717 Filed 4–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
ARCHITECTURAL AND
TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS
COMPLIANCE BOARD
36 CFR Parts 1193 and 1194
[Docket No. 2006–1]
Telecommunications Act Accessibility
Guidelines; Electronic and Information
Technology Accessibility Standards
Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish
advisory committee.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board (Access Board) announces its
intent to establish an Advisory
Committee (Committee) to make
recommendations for revisions and
updates to accessibility guidelines for
telecommunications products and
accessibility standards for electronic
and information technology. The Access
Board requests applications from
interested organizations for
representatives to serve on the
Committee.
DATES: Applications should be received
by May 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent
to the Office of Technical and
Information Services, Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20004–1111. Fax
number (202) 272–0081. Applications
may also be sent via electronic mail to
the Access Board at the following
address: creagan@access-board.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Timothy Creagan, Office of Technical
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:02 Apr 17, 2006
Jkt 208001
and Information Services, Architectural
and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000,
Washington, DC 20004–1111.
Telephone number (202) 272–0016
(Voice); (202) 272–0082 (TTY).
Electronic mail address:
creagan@access-board.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On February 8, 1996, the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 was
enacted. The Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board (Access Board) 1 was given the
responsibility for developing
accessibility guidelines for
telecommunications equipment and
customer premises equipment in
conjunction with the Federal
Communications Commission. The
Board was also instructed to review and
update the guidelines periodically. The
Board published the guidelines on
February 3, 1998. 63 FR 5608 (February
3, 1998); 36 CFR part 1193. The
guidelines were based on
recommendations from a
Telecommunications Access Advisory
Committee that the Board had created.
On August 7, 1998, the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998, which includes
the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of
1998, was signed into law. Section 508
of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments
generally requires that when Federal
departments or agencies develop,
procure, maintain, or use electronic and
information technology, they must
ensure that the technology is accessible
to people with disabilities, unless an
undue burden would be imposed on the
department or agency. Section 508
required the Access Board to publish
standards setting forth a definition of
electronic and information technology
and technical and functional
performance criteria for such
technology. In developing the standards,
the Board was instructed to consult with
various Federal agencies 2, the
1 The Access Board is an independent Federal
agency established by section 502 of the
Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 792) whose primary
mission is to promote accessibility for individuals
with disabilities. The Access Board consists of 25
members. Thirteen are appointed by the President
from among the public, a majority of who are
required to be individuals with disabilities. The
other twelve are heads of the following Federal
agencies or their designees whose positions are
Executive Level IV or above: The departments of
Health and Human Services, Education,
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development,
Labor, Interior, Defense, Justice, Veterans Affairs,
and Commerce; the General Services
Administration; and the United States Postal
Service.
2 The Access Board is required to consult with the
Secretary of Education, the Administrator of
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
19839
electronic and information technology
industry, and appropriate public or
nonprofit agencies or organizations,
including organizations representing
individuals with disabilities. The Board
was also required to periodically review
and, as appropriate, amend the
standards to reflect technological
advances or changes in electronic and
information technology. The Board
published the standards on December
21, 2000. 65 FR 80500 (December 21,
2000); 36 CFR part 1194. The standards
were based on recommendations from
an Electronic and Information
Technology Access Advisory Committee
that the Board had created to assist it in
developing the standards.
It has been over eight years since the
Board issued the Telecommunications
Act Accessibility Guidelines and over
five years since the Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility
Standards were issued. Technology has
changed during that time. Additionally,
several organizations have asked the
Board to update its Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility
Standards so that they are harmonized
with efforts taking place around the
globe. The telecommunications
provisions in the Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility
Standards are based on and are
consistent with the
Telecommunications Act Accessibility
Guidelines. Therefore, updating and
revising the Electronic and Information
Technology Accessibility Standards and
the Telecommunications Act
Accessibility Guidelines could be done
together.
Advisory Committee
At its November 9, 2005 meeting, the
Access Board voted to form a Federal
Advisory Committee (Committee) to
revise and update its
Telecommunications Act Accessibility
Guidelines and Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility
Standards in one rulemaking and that
the committee should include
representation from other countries and
international standards setting
organizations in addition to other
groups. The Access Board will begin the
process of updating its
Telecommunications Act Accessibility
Guidelines and Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility
Standards by establishing an Advisory
Committee. The establishment of the
Committee is in the public interest and
General Services, the Secretary of Commerce, the
Chairman of the Federal Communications
Commission, the Secretary of Defense, and the head
of any other Federal department or agency that the
Access Board determines to be appropriate.
E:\FR\FM\18APP1.SGM
18APP1
hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with PROPOSALS
19840
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 74 / Tuesday, April 18, 2006 / Proposed Rules
will assist the Board in meeting its
obligation for broad consultation with
Federal agencies, the
telecommunications and electronic and
information technology industry,
organizations representing individuals
with disabilities, and others in the
update and revision of the guidelines
and standards. The Committee will
make recommendations to the Access
Board on issues such as:
• Types of products to be covered;
• Barriers to the use of such products
by persons with disabilities;
• Solutions to such barriers, if
known, and research on such barriers;
• Harmonization with international
standards efforts in this area; and
• Contents of the revised and updated
guidelines and standards.
The Committee will be expected to
present a report with its
recommendations to the Access Board
within 10 months of the Committee’s
first meeting. The Access Board requests
applications for representatives of the
following interests for membership on
the Committee:
• Federal agencies;
• The telecommunications and
electronic and information technology
industry, including manufacturers;
• Organizations representing the
access needs of individuals with
disabilities;
• Representatives from other
countries and international standards
setting organizations; and
• Other organizations affected by
these accessibility guidelines and
standards.
The number of Committee members
will be limited to effectively accomplish
the Committee’s work and will be
balanced in terms of interests
represented. Organizations with similar
interests are encouraged to submit a
single application to represent their
interest. Although the Committee will
be limited in size, there will be
opportunities for the public to present
information to the Committee,
participate through subcommittees, and
to comment at Committee meetings.
Applications should be sent to the
Access Board at the address listed at the
beginning of this notice. The application
should include the name of the
organization; person who will represent
the organization (and an alternate); title;
address, telephone number, and e-mail
address; a statement of the interests
represented; and a description of the
representative’s qualifications,
including engineering, technical, and
design expertise and knowledge of
making telecommunications products or
electronic and information technology
accessible to individuals with
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:02 Apr 17, 2006
Jkt 208001
disabilities. Committee members will
not be compensated for their service.
The Access Board may, at its own
discretion, pay travel expenses for a
limited number of persons who would
otherwise be unable to participate on
the Committee. Committee members
will serve as representatives of their
organizations, not as individuals. They
will not be considered special
government employees and will not be
required to file confidential financial
disclosure reports.
After the applications have been
reviewed, the Access Board will publish
a notice in the Federal Register
announcing the appointment of
Committee members and the first
meeting of the Committee. The first
meeting of the Committee is tentatively
scheduled for September 6–7, 2006 in
Arlington, VA. The Committee will
operate in accordance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app
2. All Committee meetings will be held
in the Washington, DC metropolitan
area. Each meeting will be open to the
public. A notice of each meeting will be
published in the Federal Register at
least 15 days in advance of the meeting.
Records will be kept of each meeting
and made available for public
inspection.
Availability of Copies and Electronic
Access
Single copies of this notice may be
obtained at no cost by calling the Access
Board’s automated publications order
line (202) 272–0080, by pressing 2 on
the telephone keypad and then 1. Please
record your name, address, telephone
number and request the advisory
committee notice. Persons using a TTY
should call (202) 272–0082. This notice
is available in alternate formats upon
request. Persons who want this notice in
an alternate format should specify the
type of format (cassette tape, Braille,
large print, or ASCII disk). This notice
is also available on the Board’s Web site
(https://www.access-board.gov).
Lawrence W. Roffee,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E6–5761 Filed 4–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8150–01–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Standards for Mailing Sharps and
Other Regulated Medical Waste
Postal Service.
Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is
proposing new standards for mailing
sharps and other regulated medical
waste containers. Our proposal includes
changes to the packaging, the package
testing, and the process for authorizing
and suspending authorization.
DATES: We must receive your comments
on or before May 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written
comments to the Manager, Mailing
Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 3436,
Washington, DC 20260–3436. You may
inspect and photocopy all written
comments at USPS Headquarters
Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th
Floor N, Washington, DC between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bert
Olsen, 202–268–7276.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Customers
requesting authorization to mail sharps
and other medical waste containers
must submit to the Postal Service the
results of package testing performed by
an independent testing facility. In the
past, we have found that container
testing methods were not applied
consistently. This proposal provides
pass/fail criteria to support uniform
testing methods for all sharps and
medical waste containers and new
standards to enhance the integrity of
these mailpieces.
In many cases, we authorize
containers for vendors who distribute
them to third parties. This proposal
would require that vendors provide the
name and address of their distributors,
and update that information on a
quarterly basis. We also clarify that
vendors, as part of the application
process, must accept responsibility for
the containers they distribute and cover
disposal or cleanup costs if spills occur
while the containers are in our
possession.
All currently authorized sharps and
other regulated medical waste
containers will maintain their
authorization until it expires: 24 months
from the most recent approval, or when
a change is made to the container or
mailpiece. Customers applying for
authorization or reauthorization after
the effective date of this change must
follow the new standards.
Although we are exempt from the
notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C.
553(b), (c)] regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we
invite public comment on the following
proposed revisions to Mailing Standards
of the United States Postal Service,
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM),
E:\FR\FM\18APP1.SGM
18APP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19839-19840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5761]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD
36 CFR Parts 1193 and 1194
[Docket No. 2006-1]
Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines; Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility Standards
AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
ACTION: Notice of intent to establish advisory committee.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) announces its intent to establish an Advisory Committee
(Committee) to make recommendations for revisions and updates to
accessibility guidelines for telecommunications products and
accessibility standards for electronic and information technology. The
Access Board requests applications from interested organizations for
representatives to serve on the Committee.
DATES: Applications should be received by May 18, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent to the Office of Technical and
Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-
1111. Fax number (202) 272-0081. Applications may also be sent via
electronic mail to the Access Board at the following address:
creagan@access-board.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Creagan, Office of Technical
and Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-
1111. Telephone number (202) 272-0016 (Voice); (202) 272-0082 (TTY).
Electronic mail address: creagan@access-board.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On February 8, 1996, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was
enacted. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) \1\ was given the responsibility for developing
accessibility guidelines for telecommunications equipment and customer
premises equipment in conjunction with the Federal Communications
Commission. The Board was also instructed to review and update the
guidelines periodically. The Board published the guidelines on February
3, 1998. 63 FR 5608 (February 3, 1998); 36 CFR part 1193. The
guidelines were based on recommendations from a Telecommunications
Access Advisory Committee that the Board had created.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Access Board is an independent Federal agency
established by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 792)
whose primary mission is to promote accessibility for individuals
with disabilities. The Access Board consists of 25 members. Thirteen
are appointed by the President from among the public, a majority of
who are required to be individuals with disabilities. The other
twelve are heads of the following Federal agencies or their
designees whose positions are Executive Level IV or above: The
departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Interior, Defense, Justice,
Veterans Affairs, and Commerce; the General Services Administration;
and the United States Postal Service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On August 7, 1998, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which
includes the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, was signed into
law. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments generally
requires that when Federal departments or agencies develop, procure,
maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they must
ensure that the technology is accessible to people with disabilities,
unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency.
Section 508 required the Access Board to publish standards setting
forth a definition of electronic and information technology and
technical and functional performance criteria for such technology. In
developing the standards, the Board was instructed to consult with
various Federal agencies \2\, the electronic and information technology
industry, and appropriate public or nonprofit agencies or
organizations, including organizations representing individuals with
disabilities. The Board was also required to periodically review and,
as appropriate, amend the standards to reflect technological advances
or changes in electronic and information technology. The Board
published the standards on December 21, 2000. 65 FR 80500 (December 21,
2000); 36 CFR part 1194. The standards were based on recommendations
from an Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee
that the Board had created to assist it in developing the standards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The Access Board is required to consult with the Secretary
of Education, the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary
of Commerce, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission,
the Secretary of Defense, and the head of any other Federal
department or agency that the Access Board determines to be
appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been over eight years since the Board issued the
Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines and over five years
since the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards
were issued. Technology has changed during that time. Additionally,
several organizations have asked the Board to update its Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility Standards so that they are
harmonized with efforts taking place around the globe. The
telecommunications provisions in the Electronic and Information
Technology Accessibility Standards are based on and are consistent with
the Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines. Therefore,
updating and revising the Electronic and Information Technology
Accessibility Standards and the Telecommunications Act Accessibility
Guidelines could be done together.
Advisory Committee
At its November 9, 2005 meeting, the Access Board voted to form a
Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) to revise and update its
Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines and Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility Standards in one rulemaking and
that the committee should include representation from other countries
and international standards setting organizations in addition to other
groups. The Access Board will begin the process of updating its
Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines and Electronic and
Information Technology Accessibility Standards by establishing an
Advisory Committee. The establishment of the Committee is in the public
interest and
[[Page 19840]]
will assist the Board in meeting its obligation for broad consultation
with Federal agencies, the telecommunications and electronic and
information technology industry, organizations representing individuals
with disabilities, and others in the update and revision of the
guidelines and standards. The Committee will make recommendations to
the Access Board on issues such as:
Types of products to be covered;
Barriers to the use of such products by persons with
disabilities;
Solutions to such barriers, if known, and research on such
barriers;
Harmonization with international standards efforts in this
area; and
Contents of the revised and updated guidelines and
standards.
The Committee will be expected to present a report with its
recommendations to the Access Board within 10 months of the Committee's
first meeting. The Access Board requests applications for
representatives of the following interests for membership on the
Committee:
Federal agencies;
The telecommunications and electronic and information
technology industry, including manufacturers;
Organizations representing the access needs of individuals
with disabilities;
Representatives from other countries and international
standards setting organizations; and
Other organizations affected by these accessibility
guidelines and standards.
The number of Committee members will be limited to effectively
accomplish the Committee's work and will be balanced in terms of
interests represented. Organizations with similar interests are
encouraged to submit a single application to represent their interest.
Although the Committee will be limited in size, there will be
opportunities for the public to present information to the Committee,
participate through subcommittees, and to comment at Committee
meetings.
Applications should be sent to the Access Board at the address
listed at the beginning of this notice. The application should include
the name of the organization; person who will represent the
organization (and an alternate); title; address, telephone number, and
e-mail address; a statement of the interests represented; and a
description of the representative's qualifications, including
engineering, technical, and design expertise and knowledge of making
telecommunications products or electronic and information technology
accessible to individuals with disabilities. Committee members will not
be compensated for their service. The Access Board may, at its own
discretion, pay travel expenses for a limited number of persons who
would otherwise be unable to participate on the Committee. Committee
members will serve as representatives of their organizations, not as
individuals. They will not be considered special government employees
and will not be required to file confidential financial disclosure
reports.
After the applications have been reviewed, the Access Board will
publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing the appointment of
Committee members and the first meeting of the Committee. The first
meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for September 6-7,
2006 in Arlington, VA. The Committee will operate in accordance with
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app 2. All Committee
meetings will be held in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Each
meeting will be open to the public. A notice of each meeting will be
published in the Federal Register at least 15 days in advance of the
meeting. Records will be kept of each meeting and made available for
public inspection.
Availability of Copies and Electronic Access
Single copies of this notice may be obtained at no cost by calling
the Access Board's automated publications order line (202) 272-0080, by
pressing 2 on the telephone keypad and then 1. Please record your name,
address, telephone number and request the advisory committee notice.
Persons using a TTY should call (202) 272-0082. This notice is
available in alternate formats upon request. Persons who want this
notice in an alternate format should specify the type of format
(cassette tape, Braille, large print, or ASCII disk). This notice is
also available on the Board's Web site (https://www.access-board.gov).
Lawrence W. Roffee,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. E6-5761 Filed 4-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8150-01-P
