For Immediate Release
Contact: Giselle Barry 202-225-2836
March 2, 2011
http://markey.house.gov/
Markey Receives Award from American Council of the Blind
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Malden), author of the
21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, has received the
James
R. Olsen Award for Community Service from the American Council of the Blind.
Named after Jim Olsen, who first served as the Council's elected Treasurer
and then was employed by the Council for over 25 years, the award was
created to recognize individuals or organizations that have made significant
contributions
to the advancement of opportunities for people who are blind and visually
impaired. Signed into law last year by President Obama and authored by Rep.
Markey,
the 21st Century Communications andVideo Accessibility Act is landmark
legislation will make it easier for individuals who are blind, deaf or both
deaf
and blind to access the Internet, smartphones, television programming and
other communications and video technologies.
"I am honored to receive this award from the American Council of the Blind,
and I look forward to continuing my work to fight for equal access to
technology
for all Americans," said Rep. Markey upon receiving the award. "Whether it's
a Braille reader or a broadband connection, access to technology is not a
political issue- it's a participation issue. Americans with disabilities
need access to the latest 21st century communications and video tools to
compete
in the job market and engage in daily activities that increasingly rely on
the technology. I am proud that the 21st Century Communications and Video
Accessibility
Act is now the law of the land, and I know we will continue to make great
strides so all individuals can more fully participate in society."
The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization
of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind
Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States,
the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually
impaired
Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society.
"Representative Markey has played an instrumental roll over the last four
years in not just introducing the 21st Century Communications and Video
Accessibility
Act but leading the blind community through some very difficult negotiations
so that a landmark bill could be signed in to law. We sincerely thank him
for all of his efforts in ensuring that the blind community will be able to
gain access to important information that is conveyed on television or
through
a smart phone," said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American council of
the Blind.
Rep. Markey's 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
significantly increases accessibility for Americans with disabilities to the
indispensable
telecommunications and video technology tools of the 21st century by:
• Increasing access to the Web for Americans who
are blind through improved user interfaces for smart phones
• Enabling Americans who are blind to enjoy TV
more fully through audible descriptions of the on-screen action
• Making TV program guides and selection menus
accessible to people with vision loss
• Providing Americans who are deaf the ability to
watch new TV programs online with thecaptions included
• Mandating that remote controls have a button or
similar mechanism to easily access the closed captioning on broadcast and
pay
TV
• Requiring that telecom equipment used to make
calls over the Internet is compatible with hearing aids
• For low-income Americans who are both deaf and
blind, providing a share of a total $10 million per year to purchase
accessible
Internet access and telecom services.
###
From: Eric Bridges <
[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 15:38:42 -0500
To: Giselle Barry <
[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
Here's the quote.
"Representative Markey has played an instrumental roll over the last 4 years
in not just introducing the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility
Act but leading the blind community through some very difficult
negotiations so that a landmark bill could be signed in to law. We
sincerely thank
him for all of his efforts in ensuring that the blind community will be able
to gain access to important information that is conveyed on television or
through asmart phone." Said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American
council of the Blind.
Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
[email protected]
www.acb.org
From: Barry, Giselle [
mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 2:29 PM
To: Eric Bridges
Subject: Re: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
No problem. Thanks for the additional information.
From: Eric Bridges <
[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 14:16:14 -0500
To: Giselle Barry <
[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
Each year ACB holds its legislative seminar to educate our members on the
legislative imperatives for that year.
At the end of the seminar ACB members take the organization's imperatives to
Capitol Hill to seek support from members of Congress.
I'm still working on a quote.
Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
[email protected]
www.acb.org
From: Barry, Giselle [
mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 1:33 PM
To: Eric Bridges
Subject: Re: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
Eric -
Thanks for the information. Do you have a quick blurb about why the Council
was on CapitolHill yesterday. It would make a nice backdrop for the award.
And
let me know if you think the quote will work out.
And attached is a great photo from yesterday!
Giselle
Giselle Barry
Communications Director
Congressman Edward J. Markey (MA-07)
2108 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2836 office
(202) 510-3240 mobile
(202) 226-0092 fax
http://markey.house.gov/
twitter: @MarkeyMemo
From: Eric Bridges <
[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 12:17:43 -0500
To: Giselle Barry <
[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
Giselle:
Good to meet you too.
This award was named after Jim Olsen who first served as ACB's elected
Treasurer, and then joined our staff, and was employed by ACB for over 25
years.
The award was created in his honor to recognize individuals or
organizations who have made significant contributions to the advancement of
opportunities
for people who are blind and visually impaired.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is the largest consumer-based organization
of blind and visually impaired Americans advocating for the rights of blind
Americans. Comprised of more than 70 affiliates across the United States,
the organization is dedicated to making it possible for blind and visually
impaired
Americans to participate fully in all aspects of American society.
I hope this helps.
Eric
Eric Bridges
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201
[email protected]
www.acb.org
From: Barry, Giselle [
mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 10:54 AM
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Congressman Markey and Olsen Award
Eric -
Good to meet you. I'm the Communications Director for Congressman Markey and
I was hoping to put together a press release today on the fantastic award
you
gave to my boss yesterday. I know it wasn't an "official" ceremony, but we
thought a release would be a fitting way to recognize the Council and the
great
work done on the 21st Century Accessibility Act. I was hoping to ask for
your help and some materials to support the release.
List of 2 items
. Is there a description of the award? I know it it not given out on a
regular basis, so it would be helpful to describe the award, it's namesake,
and the
Council's work more largely.
. Would it be possible to get a quote from Mr. Pomerantz indicating why you
all decided on Congressman Markey for the award? I would include that along
with a quote from my boss.
list end
I'm happy to forward the final draft of the release to you all so you could
either post on your website (we would do the same) and include in any
newsletters
or email outreach you do. Again, we'd like to do the same. My contact
information is below ifyou'd like to talk more. Thanks so much.
Giselle
Giselle Barry
Communications Director
Congressman Edward J. Markey (MA-07)
2108 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2836 office
(202) 510-3240 mobile
(202) 226-0092 fax
http://markey.house.gov/
twitter: @MarkeyMemoArdis Bazyn
For inspirational speaking, business coaching, or writing:
www.bazyncommunications.com
newsletter: http://www.bazyncommunications.com/newsletter.php
Ask about Yoga cd package especially for blind and visually impaired
Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org
You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers
to us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at
the above address.
_______________________________________________
ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.)
A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind
http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
