Status of Senate Bill S2686 on Video Description

Here is the latest status on Senate bill S2686, calling for reinstatement of the FCC's authority to call for video description. PLEASE TAKE THE ACTION REQUESTED!

From: "Day Al-Mohamed" <dalmohamed@acb.org>
To: <deleted>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 19:18:24 -0400

From the Desk of Day Al-Mohamed, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

Target Senators and External Video Description Action Alert

A number of members of ACB leadership have contacted the National Office with questions as to whether or not their senator was in favor of S. 2686 which has video description language as a part of the legislation (in addition to some other disability provisions). Unfortunately, much of the support and opposition, as well as the critical negotiation, is being done behind closed doors.

Success will require significant, consistent, ongoing calls, emails and faxes to all of the Senate membership. However, we have discovered a few of the Members who have expressed doubts however, because of the critical nature of the legislation, honestly, we can count on true commitment from no one (with the possible exception of the sponsors - Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye). Below please find the list of the targeted senators who need to be made aware of the important disability access provisions and video description in S. 2686. In addition, you will also find the text for an additional Video Description - Action Alert that may be sent not only to ACB members but also to groups and organizations not directly affiliated with ACB who might have an interest in and be willing to support video description. We can do this! Good luck!

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI)
Mike DeWine, (R-OH)
Jim Talent (R-MO)
Lieberman (CT)
Ken Salazar (CO)
Clinton (NY)
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Alexander (TN)
Graham (SC)
Gregg (NH)
Bunning (KY)

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S. 2686 and Video Description ACTION ALERT

What is Video Description?

In our society, individuals rely primarily on television as a means of not only entertainment, but also as a way of obtaining crucial news, weather and current event information. The ability for individuals who are blind and visually impaired to access information through TV is enhanced by a specialized feature known as video description. Equivalent to closed captioning for the deaf, video description is audio narration which describes the visual elements in a broadcast. Video description can make it possible for a person who is blind or visually impaired to know what emergency warning information is being scrolled across the bottom of the screen as well as when scenes change in television shows.

Senate Bill 2686

Senate Bill 2686, the Senate Communications Act of 2006, was introduced to the Senate May1st by Senator Ted Stevens. A comprehensive communications bill, S. 2686 covers a wide array of issues and services, but what is of specific interest is the incorporation of the Senate video description bill (S. 900) into this larger bill. S. 2686 is now perhaps the best opportunity for the video description provisions to eventually pass into law.