TIA Hails Enactment of the '21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act'

Washington, D.C.â€" The Telecommunications Industry Association today hailed the enactment of the "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act," thanking President Obama for signing the legislation into law.

TIA earlier thanked the U.S. Congress for the passing the bill, which was improved in committee to ensure that it met the goal of continued availability of accessible technology without hampering the technological innovation that is the hallmark of America's information and communications technology (ICT) industry. The bill included consensus language on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) that TIA negotiated with the accessibility community late last year.

TIA has a long history of working closely with the Hearing Loss Association of America and Gallaudet University to develop standards, including the TIA-1083 standard that reduces noise and interference in digital cordless phones when used by people with T-Coil-equipped hearing aids or Cochlear implants. The standard has been updated to apply to newer technologies with digital interfaces, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and USB.

About TIA The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.