Announcing July 17 FCC Event on Accessing Social Media

Event page:  http://fcc.us/AccSocMedia

Twitter hashtag:  #AccSocMedia

The FCC's Accessibility and Innovation Initiative will host a public event, titled "Accessing Social Media," on Thursday, July 17, 2014, from 9 AM to 4 PM at the FCC Headquarters (445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC).  The purpose of the event is to facilitate a collaborative, cross-sector exchange of information about making social media tools and content accessible to people with disabilities, including information about authoring tools, client apps, and best practices.

The event will be held in the FCC's Commission Meeting Room and will include panels of industry, consumer, and government representatives.  We will also have technology demonstrations in an exhibit area on the same floor.

Speakers from the following organizations have confirmed their attendance:
* Ability Magazine
* Adobe Systems
* American Association of People with Disabilities
* Autistic Self Advocacy Network
* Brick Advantage
* Danya International
* Hearing Loss Association of America
* Lead On Update
* National Association of the Deaf
* National Council  on Disability
* National Federation of the Blind
* U.S. Department of Labor
* U.S. General Services Administration
* University of Maryland - Baltimore County
* US Business Leadership Network

The meeting will be webcast with open captioning at www.fcc.gov/live<http://www.fcc.gov/live>.

Although this event is open to the public, we encourage sending us an RSVP in advance for our planning purposes.  An RSVP is needed only for in-person attendance, not for the webcast.  To RSVP, please send your name and organization affiliation, if any, in an email to AccSocMedia@fcc.gov<mailto:AccSocMedia@fcc.gov>.

The meeting site is fully accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.  Sign language interpreters, open captioning, and assistive listening devices will be provided on site.  Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.  Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information.  Make your request as early as possible.  Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill.  Send an e-mail to: fcc504@fcc.gov<mailto:fcc504@fcc.gov> or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

For more information, call Jamal Mazrui at 202-418-0069 or email jamal.mazrui@fcc.gov; or call Kelly Jones at 202-418-7078 or email kelly.jones@fcc.gov<mailto:kelly.jones@fcc.gov>.