The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reports on the First Triennial Review of the Commission's Policies and Practices Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 4218-4220 [E8-1166]

Download as PDF 4218 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2008 / Notices Regulatory Public Docket at https:// www.regulations.gov. II. Background jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES A. Purpose of the FIFRA SAP The FIFRA SAP serves as the primary scientific peer review mechanism of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) and is structured to provide scientific advice, information and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides and pesticide-related issues as to the impact of regulatory actions on health and the environment. The FIFRA SAP is a Federal advisory committee established in 1975 under FIFRA that operates in accordance with requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The FIFRA SAP is composed of a permanent panel consisting of seven members who are appointed by the EPA Administrator from nominees provided by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. FIFRA, as amended by FQPA, established a Science Review Board consisting of at least 60 scientists who are available to the Scientific Advisory Panel on an ad hoc basis to assist in reviews conducted by the Scientific Advisory Panel. As a peer review mechanism, the FIFRA SAP provides comments, evaluations and recommendations to improve the effectiveness and quality of analyses made by Agency scientists. Members of the FIFRA SAP are scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and experience, to provide expert advice and recommendations to the Agency. B. Public Meeting The EPA is implementing an Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) in response to a 1996 Congressional mandate under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Section 408(p) of the FFDCA required the EPA ‘‘to develop a screening program, using appropriate validated test systems and other scientifically relevant information, to determine whether certain substances may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or other such endocrine effect as EPA may designate (FFDCA 21 U.S.C. 346a(p). In 1998, the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC), a panel of experts chartered pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) in response to the FFDCA, submitted a final report to advise the EPA on how to develop its Endocrine Disruptor VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:35 Jan 23, 2008 Jkt 214001 screening and testing program. The screening program was also reviewed and reported on by the EPA’s Science Advisory Board and Scientific Advisory Panel (SAB/SAP) as required by the FFDCA. Together, the EDSTAC and SAB/SAP recommended that the EPA address both human and ecological effects and examine effects on the estrogen as well as the androgen and thyroid (EAT) hormonal systems, and that a two-tiered approach be used for screening (EPA. Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee EDSTAC Final Report. August 1998.https://www.epa.gov/ scipoly/oscpendo/pubs/edspoverview/ finalrpt.htm). The purpose of Tier-1 is to identify substances that have the potential to interact with the EAT hormonal systems using a battery of screening assays. The purpose of Tier 2 testing is to identify and establish a dose-response relationship for any adverse effects that might result from the interactions identified through the Tier-1 screening battery. The EPA has validated (or anticipates completing validation in 2008) several candidate assays for the Tier-1 battery as follows: Screening assays being considered for the Tier-1 battery: In vitro • Rat uterine cytosol and human recombinant estrogen receptor (ER) binding* • Rat prostate cytosol androgen receptor (AR) binding • Human cell line (H295R) steroidogenesis* • Human placental and recombinant aromatase In vivo • Uterotrophic (rat) • Hershberger (rat) • Pubertal female (rat) • Pubertal male (rat) • Adult male (rat) • Amphibian metamorphosis (frog) • Fish short-term reproduction *Consideration of these assays will be contingent on individual assay peer review, which is expected in 2008. Following an extensive validation process, the EPA has had (or expects to have in 2008) each of these assays peer reviewed independently by a panel of scientific experts. The individual assay peer review process was done to ensure that independent scientific opinions about the candidate assays were obtained and considered. Information regarding individual assay peer review can be found in section IV.D. of the Federal Register of July 13, 2007, https:// www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2007/ July/Day-13/p13672.pdf. The EPA is now convening an independent scientific peer review of PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the Tier-1 screening battery and has chosen the FIFRA SAP process. The FIFRA SAP will be charged with commenting on whether the EPA’s proposed battery composition fulfills its purpose (i.e., to identify the potential to interact with the EAT hormone systems). The SAP will specifically be asked to comment on the strengths and limitations of the proposed battery, and to suggest improvements that could be made to the proposed battery considering candidate assays. The SAP’s advice will inform the EPA’s final decision on the composition of the EDSP’s Tier-1 screening battery. C. FIFRA SAP Documents and Meeting Minutes EPA’s background paper, related supporting materials, charge/questions to the FIFRA SAP, FIFRA SAP composition (i.e., members and ad hoc members for this meeting), and the meeting agenda will be available by late February 2008. In addition, the Agency may provide additional background documents as the materials become available. You may obtain electronic copies of these documents, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, at https:// www.regulations.gov and the FIFRA SAP homepage at https://www.epa.gov/ scipoly/sap. The FIFRA SAP will prepare meeting minutes summarizing its recommendations to the Agency approximately 90 days after the meeting. The meeting minutes will be posted on the FIFRA SAP website or may be obtained from the OPP Regulatory Public Docket at https:// www.regulations.gov. List of Subjects Environmental protection, pesticides and pests. January 17, 2008. Elizabeth Resek, Acting Director, Office of Science Coordination and Policy. [FR Doc. E8–1191 Filed 1–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [CG Docket No. 03–123; DA 07–5009] The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reports on the First Triennial Review of the Commission’s Policies and Practices Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Federal Communications Commission. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2008 / Notices ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In this document, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau) reports on its review of the Commission’s policies and practices under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Commission’s rules mandate that it conduct a review of its current policies and practices in view of advances in relevant technology and achievability every three years. The report concludes that during the past three years, the Commission has successfully provided access to its programs and activities for people with disabilities in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Mason, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office at (202) 418–7126 (voice), (202) 418–7828 (TTY), or e-mail Diane.Mason@fcc.gov. This is a summary of the Commission’s document DA 07–5009, released December 17, 2007, in CG Docket No. 03–123. A copy of document DA 07– 5009 will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418–0270. Document DA 07–5009 also may be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor at its Web site, https://www.bcpiweb.com, or by calling (800) 378–3160. Document DA 07–5009 also may be found by searching the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ cgb/ecfs (insert CG Docket No. 03–123 into the Proceeding block). To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Synopsis Pursuant to 47 CFR 1.1810, every three years the Commission must undertake a self-evaluation of its compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794. The year 2007 marked the end of the first triennium. The Bureau releases this report accordingly, which reviews disability access services provided during the past three years, considers VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:35 Jan 23, 2008 Jkt 214001 comments from consumers served, and replies to the single filing submitted in response to the Public Notice seeking comment on the Commission’s section 504 policies and practices, The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks Comment on the Commission’s Policies and Practices Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, CG Docket No. 03–123, DA 07–1396, published at 72 FR 19502, April 18, 2007. The report concludes that during the past three years, the Commission has successfully provided access to its programs and activities for persons with disabilities in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Background By way of background, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities under any program or activity receiving federal funds. In 1978, the Act was amended to include any program or activity conducted by an Executive Branch agency or the United States Postal Service. The 1978 amendments also required covered agencies to establish regulations to implement section 504’s mandates. In 2003, the Commission released an order amending its section 504 rules, Amendment of Part 1, Subpart N of the Commission’s Rules Concerning NonDiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in the Commission’s Programs and Activities, FCC 03–48 (2003 Section 504 Order), published at 68 FR 22315, April 28, 2003. These amendments updated terminology to be consistent with current statutory language, supplied specifications for filing in alternative formats, outlined procedures for requesting reasonable accommodations, and established a triennial selfevaluation. Concurrent with the release of the 2003 Section 504 Order, the Commission also produced and distributed the Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook (Section 504 Handbook). Since the Section 504 Handbook functions as a centralized source for both disability information and accessibility best practices, it was also made available to the public via the Commission’s Web site, at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/ section_504.html. Paper copies were supplied upon request. In order to ensure that consumers with disabilities know how to request the access services they need, instructions for requesting reasonable accommodations are included on the Commission Web site, in most public PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4219 documents, and in all consumer fact sheets and advisories. Requests for services are generally received via the Commission’s FCC504 mailbox (FCC504@fcc.gov), the Disability Access telephone line (both voice and TTY), or by direct contact with the Commission’s Section 504 Officer. The report examines the access services provided by the Commission in the following eight forms from July 2004 through June 2007: sign language interpreting; captioning; CART (Computer Assisted Realtime Translation); re-voicing; Braille; large print; electronic formats (e.g., text, PDF); and audio (e.g., MP3 files, CDs). For each form of accommodation, the Commission attempts to acquire the best services available under the circumstances. When the Commission has received consumer reports of dissatisfaction with service providers (e.g., regarding turnaround times for Braille documents, sign language interpreters who have difficulty understanding specific deaf consumers), it has been able to work with the consumers to make sure that their preferences are noted when subsequent requests for accommodations are made. Overall, consumer feedback has been positive. The report concludes that the Commission does not need to modify its accessibility policies and practices at this time, but will continue to address specific accessibility issues as they arise. Sorenson Communications, Inc. (Sorenson) filed comments on May 22, 2007, focusing on Video Relay Service (VRS) access issues. Sorenson notes that the Commission’s public videophone located near the Commission Meeting Room on the TW level of the Portals II Building ‘‘appears to be dedicated to Federal Relay.’’ Sorenson asserts that ‘‘[t]he Commission’s current practice of restricting on-premises callers to Federal Relay denies those callers the full access mandated’’ by section 504. Contrary to Sorenson’s assertion, the Commission’s public videophone does not require callers to use Federal Relay Service. Calls can be made peer-to-peer or through any VRS provider. Sorenson also recommends that the information about VRS in the Commission’s Section 504 Handbook be updated to reflect changes in the services offered through VRS providers—specifically, that VRS calls may now be initiated by hearing callers and that ASL-to-Spanish VRS services are available. These changes will be reflected in the next edition of the Section 504 Handbook. E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 4220 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2008 / Notices Federal Communications Commission. Nicole McGinnis, Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. E8–1166 Filed 1–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of the Comptroller of the Currency FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Joint Comment Request Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Treasury; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice of information collections to be submitted to OMB for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. AGENCIES: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the OCC, the Board, the FDIC, and the OTS (collectively, the agencies) may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. On September 25, 2006, the agencies, under the auspices of the Federal Financial Institutions Council (FFIEC), requested public comment on a proposal to implement new regulatory reporting requirements for banks 1 that qualify for and adopt the Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework to calculate their risk-based capital requirement or are in the parallel run stage of qualifying to 1 For simplicity, and unless otherwise indicated, this notice uses the term ‘‘bank’’ to include banks, savings associations, and bank holding companies (BHCs). The terms ‘‘bank holding company’’ and ‘‘BHC’’ refer only to bank holding companies regulated by the Board and do not include savings and loan holding companies regulated by the OTS. For a detailed description of the institutions covered by this notice, refer to Part I, Section 1, of the final rule entitled Risk-Based Capital Standards: Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:35 Jan 23, 2008 Jkt 214001 adopt this framework (71 FR 55981). The agencies have made certain modifications to the proposed reporting requirements as described in this notice both in response to comments received and to reflect requirements of the final rule implementing the Advanced Capital Adequacy Framework (72 FR 69288, referred to hereafter as the final rule). The FFIEC, of which the agencies are members, has approved publication of these reporting requirements and the agencies are submitting these reporting requirements to OMB for review and approval. Upon approval, OMB control numbers will be obtained. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 25, 2008. These reporting requirements are effective April 1, 2008, and institutions subject to these requirements must begin reporting data at the end of the first quarter in which they have begun their parallel run period. ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to any or all of the agencies. All comments, which should refer to the OMB control number(s), will be shared among the agencies. OCC: Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Public Information Room, Mail Stop 1–5, Attention: 1557–NEW, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219. In addition, comments may be sent by fax to (202) 874–4448, or by electronic mail to regs.comments@occ.treas.gov. You may personally inspect and photocopy comments at the OCC’s Public Information Room, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. For security reasons, the OCC requires that visitors make an appointment to inspect comments. You may do so by calling (202) 874–5043. Upon arrival, visitors will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification and submit to security screening in order to inspect and photocopy comments. Board: You may submit comments, which should refer to ‘‘FFIEC 101’’ by any of the following methods: • Agency Web Site: https:// www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the https://www.federalreserve.gov/ generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov. Include docket number in the subject line of the message. • FAX: 202–452–3819 or 202–452– 3102. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Mail: Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20551. All public comments are available from the Board’s Web site at https:// www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/ foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons. Accordingly, your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper in Room MP–500 of the Board’s Martin Building (20th and C Streets, NW.) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. FDIC: You may submit comments, which should refer to ‘‘FFIEC 101,’’ by any of the following methods: • https://www.FDIC.gov/regulations/ laws/federal/notices.html. • E-mail: comments@FDIC.gov. Include ‘‘FFIEC 101’’ in the subject line of the message. • Mail: Valerie Best (202–898–3907), Supervisory Counsel, Attn: Comments, Room F–1070, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 550 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20429. • Hand Delivery: Comments may be hand delivered to the guard station at the rear of the 550 17th Street Building (located on F Street) on business days between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Public Inspection: All comments received will be posted without change to https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/ federal/notices.html including any personal information provided. Comments may be inspected at the FDIC Public Information Center, Room E– 1002, 3501 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22226, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on business days. OTS: You may submit comments, identified by ‘‘FFIEC 101’’ by any of the following methods: • E-mail address: infocollection.comments@ots.treas.gov. Please include ‘‘FFIEC 101’’ in the subject line of the message and include your name and telephone number in the message. • Fax: (202) 906–6518. • Mail: Information Collection Comments, Chief Counsel’s Office, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552, Attention: ‘‘FFIEC 101.’’ • Hand Delivery/Courier: Guard’s Desk, East Lobby Entrance, 1700 G Street, NW., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on business days, Attention: Information Collection Comments, Chief Counsel’s Office, Attention: ‘‘FFIEC 101.’’ Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and OMB E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4218-4220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1166]


=======================================================================
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CG Docket No. 03-123; DA 07-5009]


The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reports on the First 
Triennial Review of the Commission's Policies and Practices Under 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

[[Page 4219]]


ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau 
(Bureau) reports on its review of the Commission's policies and 
practices under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The 
Commission's rules mandate that it conduct a review of its current 
policies and practices in view of advances in relevant technology and 
achievability every three years. The report concludes that during the 
past three years, the Commission has successfully provided access to 
its programs and activities for people with disabilities in accordance 
with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Mason, Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office at (202) 418-7126 (voice), 
(202) 418-7828 (TTY), or e-mail Diane.Mason@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document DA 07-5009, released December 17, 2007, in CG Docket No. 03-
123. A copy of document DA 07-5009 will be available for public 
inspection and copying during regular business hours at the FCC 
Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 
CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554, (202) 418-0270. Document DA 07-5009 also 
may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor at its 
Web site, https://www.bcpiweb.com, or by calling (800) 378-3160. 
Document DA 07-5009 also may be found by searching the Commission's 
Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs (insert 
CG Docket No. 03-123 into the Proceeding block).
    To request materials in accessible formats for people with 
disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), 
send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental 
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

Synopsis

    Pursuant to 47 CFR 1.1810, every three years the Commission must 
undertake a self-evaluation of its compliance with section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794. The year 2007 marked the end 
of the first triennium. The Bureau releases this report accordingly, 
which reviews disability access services provided during the past three 
years, considers comments from consumers served, and replies to the 
single filing submitted in response to the Public Notice seeking 
comment on the Commission's section 504 policies and practices, The 
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks Comment on the 
Commission's Policies and Practices Under Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, CG Docket No. 03-123, DA 07-1396, published 
at 72 FR 19502, April 18, 2007. The report concludes that during the 
past three years, the Commission has successfully provided access to 
its programs and activities for persons with disabilities in accordance 
with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Background

    By way of background, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities under any 
program or activity receiving federal funds. In 1978, the Act was 
amended to include any program or activity conducted by an Executive 
Branch agency or the United States Postal Service. The 1978 amendments 
also required covered agencies to establish regulations to implement 
section 504's mandates. In 2003, the Commission released an order 
amending its section 504 rules, Amendment of Part 1, Subpart N of the 
Commission's Rules Concerning Non-Discrimination on the Basis of 
Disability in the Commission's Programs and Activities, FCC 03-48 (2003 
Section 504 Order), published at 68 FR 22315, April 28, 2003. These 
amendments updated terminology to be consistent with current statutory 
language, supplied specifications for filing in alternative formats, 
outlined procedures for requesting reasonable accommodations, and 
established a triennial self-evaluation.
    Concurrent with the release of the 2003 Section 504 Order, the 
Commission also produced and distributed the Federal Communications 
Commission Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook 
(Section 504 Handbook). Since the Section 504 Handbook functions as a 
centralized source for both disability information and accessibility 
best practices, it was also made available to the public via the 
Commission's Web site, at: https://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section_
504.html. Paper copies were supplied upon request.
    In order to ensure that consumers with disabilities know how to 
request the access services they need, instructions for requesting 
reasonable accommodations are included on the Commission Web site, in 
most public documents, and in all consumer fact sheets and advisories. 
Requests for services are generally received via the Commission's 
FCC504 mailbox (FCC504@fcc.gov), the Disability Access telephone line 
(both voice and TTY), or by direct contact with the Commission's 
Section 504 Officer.
    The report examines the access services provided by the Commission 
in the following eight forms from July 2004 through June 2007: sign 
language interpreting; captioning; CART (Computer Assisted Realtime 
Translation); re-voicing; Braille; large print; electronic formats 
(e.g., text, PDF); and audio (e.g., MP3 files, CDs). For each form of 
accommodation, the Commission attempts to acquire the best services 
available under the circumstances. When the Commission has received 
consumer reports of dissatisfaction with service providers (e.g., 
regarding turnaround times for Braille documents, sign language 
interpreters who have difficulty understanding specific deaf 
consumers), it has been able to work with the consumers to make sure 
that their preferences are noted when subsequent requests for 
accommodations are made. Overall, consumer feedback has been positive. 
The report concludes that the Commission does not need to modify its 
accessibility policies and practices at this time, but will continue to 
address specific accessibility issues as they arise.
    Sorenson Communications, Inc. (Sorenson) filed comments on May 22, 
2007, focusing on Video Relay Service (VRS) access issues. Sorenson 
notes that the Commission's public videophone located near the 
Commission Meeting Room on the TW level of the Portals II Building 
``appears to be dedicated to Federal Relay.'' Sorenson asserts that 
``[t]he Commission's current practice of restricting on-premises 
callers to Federal Relay denies those callers the full access 
mandated'' by section 504. Contrary to Sorenson's assertion, the 
Commission's public videophone does not require callers to use Federal 
Relay Service. Calls can be made peer-to-peer or through any VRS 
provider.
    Sorenson also recommends that the information about VRS in the 
Commission's Section 504 Handbook be updated to reflect changes in the 
services offered through VRS providers--specifically, that VRS calls 
may now be initiated by hearing callers and that ASL-to-Spanish VRS 
services are available. These changes will be reflected in the next 
edition of the Section 504 Handbook.


[[Page 4220]]


Federal Communications Commission.
Nicole McGinnis,
Deputy Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau.
 [FR Doc. E8-1166 Filed 1-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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