Better Access for Deaf, Blind

Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor is planning to propose legislation today that would require technology companies, phone manufacturers and Web vendors to adapt their products to deaf or blind customers. The Democrat chairs the Senate subcommittee on consumer affairs. The Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act would require smartphones like the Blackberry and iPhone to be compatable with hearing aids. DVRs and mp3 players would also have to support closed captioning. Teachers and students from the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock joined Pryor for a news conference on the bill yesterday.