- From: Kynn Bartlett <kynn@idyllmtn.com>
- Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 20:35:33 -0800
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
This is _definitely_ politics, U.S. politics in specific. I just read a report from the U.S. Internet Industry Association, which analyzes the Bush strategy regarding the Internet. Here is a URL which links to that white paper, with some further explanation: http://www.business2.com/content/insights/dailyinsights/2000/12/15/23759 The white paper states: "… Implement Significant New Support for Disabled Access to the Internet. The Bush program will differ from current initiatives, which focus on new laws mandating access. Bush will instead push for a tripling of funding for Rehabilitative Engineering Research Centers; creation of a new "Technology Transfer Fund" to help bring assistive technology to market; a tenfold increase the funding for low-interest loan programs to help people with disabilities purchase assistive technology; and the provision of $75 million annually in tax incentives and a new $20 million low interest loan program to help people with disabilities telework." Now, I never believe anything about legal policy relating to the 'net without hearing from Cynthia Waddell first, but I believe that it's very possible that the idea that the ADA and related laws will somehow be the white horse "savior" of the web may not be as certain as we had thought. There may be an increase in "incentives" -- the carrot -- and a decrease in legislation -- the stick. How essential to web accessibility is the notion that the government will somehow step in and legislate and make it all okay? In a "worst case scenario", there may be no enforcement of laws which promote web accessibility, and no new laws of that type, for the next four years (at least). Would this be a dreadful thing, a minor setback, or not really a big deal at all? Discuss among yourselves. --Kynn -- Kynn Bartlett <kynn@idyllmtn.com> http://www.kynn.com/
Received on Friday, 15 December 2000 23:39:32 UTC