[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 69612] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-33445] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee; Meeting AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. ACTION: Notice of meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) has established an advisory committee to assist it in developing a proposed rule on accessibility standards for electronic and information technology covered by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. This document gives notice of the dates, times, and location of the next meeting of the Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee (Committee). DATES: The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for January 5 and 6, 1999, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. each day. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at 1331 F Street, NW., Washington, DC, in the third floor training room. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Wakefield, 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) 272-5434 extension 39 (Voice); (202) 272- 5449 (TTY). E-mail address: [email protected]. This document is available in alternate formats (cassette tape, Braille, large print, or computer disk) upon request. This document is also available on the Board's Internet Site at http://www.access-board.gov/notices/ eitaacmtg.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 29, 1998, the Access Board published a notice appointing 23 members to its Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee (Committee). 63 FR 51891 (September 29, 1998). The Committee will make recommendations to the Access Board on accessibility standards for electronic and information technology covered by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. The Committee is composed of Federal agencies and Federal contractors; the electronic and information technology industry; organizations representing the access needs of individuals with disabilities; and other persons affected by accessibility standards for electronic and information technology. At its first meeting on October 15 and 16, 1998, the Committee took the following actions: Added Compaq Computers, Pitney Bowes, Sun Microsystems, and the Information Technology Industry Council to the Committee; Formed three subcommittees. One subcommittee will examine the definitions needed for the recommended standards. Another subcommittee will examine the various functions that are performed by electronic and information technology. These functions include creating, processing, transmitting, and interacting with information and the technology involved. A third subcommittee will begin the process of classifying the variety of products covered by the standards into product families; Created a listserv to facilitate communications between meetings. To subscribe to the listserv send an e-mail message to: [email protected].; and Established a schedule of meeting dates. The Committee will meet again on February 8-9, 1999; March 29-30, 1999; and, May 11-12, 1999. At its second meeting on December 1 and 2, 1998, the Committee addressed the scope of the standards it will be recommending to the Access Board. This included defining the term ``electronic and information technology.'' A three person group was appointed to develop a recommended definition and present it to the Committee at its January meeting. Additionally, four subcommittees were formed. These include: installation and setup, information display, control and operation, and user information. The subcommittees will examine these specific areas and identify access barriers in each area, and recommend standards that could lower or eliminate these barriers. The subcommittees will continue their work on the listserv. The meetings are open to the public. There will be a public comment period each day for persons interested in presenting their views to the Committee. The facility is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening systems and real-time transcription will be available. Lawrence W. Roffee, Executive Director. [FR Doc. 98-33445 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8150-01-P