BOB DOLE UNITED STATES SENATE May 13, 1995 Dear Dr. Bowe, Just a brief note to thank you for your support for telecommunications deregulation and your advocacy on its behalf in the disability community. As you know better than most, it is both good public policy and good for people with disabilities--by increasing affordability and innovation in telecommunications. And the provisions in the Senate bill for people with disabilities are but a first down payment on a future where people with disabilities will be at the leading edge of a telecommunications revolution. I also appreciate the assistance you have provided to my staff on this issue. I look forward to your advice in the future, and please let me know if I can be helpful in any way. With best regards, Sincerely, BOB DOLE Dr. Frank G. Bowe 23 Copper Beech Lawrence, New York 11559 From Internet [1442] From: Bill McGarry at Internet 4/24/95 8:15 AM (15914 bytes: 480 ln)To: L-HCAP@vml.nodak.edu at Internet Subject: Handicap Digest # 3813 Message Contents Subject: Telecom Action -Advocacy Needed From: SERFGB@vaxc.hofstra.edu (Frank Bowe) FRANK BOWE 23 Copper Beech Lawrence, NY 11559 FAX 516-374-4649 Internet: serfgb@vaxc.hofstra.edu Memo to: Fellow Advocates for Access to the Information Age Date: 4-18-95 Re: Update and Call to Action The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted 17-2 on March 23 to approve the "Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1995" the bill sponsored by Committee Chairman Larry Pressler (R-SD). S.652 is expected to go to the Senate floor for a vote very early in May. By May 1, YOU should contact BOTH your Senators AND the Clinton Administration with a message to support S.652. There is a problem: the Clinton Administration has sent signals to the Senate that have slowed the bill. Vice President Al Gore, in particular, by discussing his concerns with the bill, has really slowed momentum in the Senate. Gore wants changes in cable regulation. That's fine --but the effect of the squabble between the Administration and the Senate is to endanger the bill. There might be no bill at all! We'd lose in that case. So it is important that advocates send letters/faxes to Gore and to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in the Commerce Department, telling them that we need telecommunications legislation ­this year. That is because the Pressler bill contains access language which will enhance our ability to "ride" on the fast-coming "Information Superhighway." The Pressler bill contains new disability access language drafted by Senate staff members. While it is not perfect, it deserves our support. The new language requires all providers of new information services and all manufacturers of new products to make sure their offerings are accessible to/useable by people with disabilities, if readily achievable. Video (including cable and Blockbuster-type rental movies) must be captioned, if readily achievable. However, it is my understanding that there will be an amendment to strengthen the captioning language. And a study of descriptive video service is to be done by the FCC. What YOU can do to help: o Write Your Senators. Tell your two Senators that the Pressler bill [S.652] is one you support --ask for a "Yes" vote on the Senate floor in early May. The disability access language, together with full and open competition as soon as possible will benefit all people with disabiiities. The time to write to your two Senators is NOW. Your Senators may be reached at: The Honorable [insert name], United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510. o Write to Vice President Gore and to the NTIA NOW! Vice President Gore and the NTIA should be told (in YOUR words): "We need telecommunications legislation this year. S.652, Senator Pressler's Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1995, deserves support. We urge you to speed up, not slow down, Senate consideration of S.652." Vice President Al Gore, The Old Executive Office Building, The White House, Washington, DC 20501. Larry Irving, NTIA, US Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. IMPORTANT: I visit Washington regularly, to talk with key staff members on the Hill and in the Administration. It helps a great deal if I can bring with me evidence that "folks back home" in the States support what I'm saying. So ­PLEASE -when you write to your two Senators and to Gore and Irving, mail or fax copies to me. My address and fax number are at the top of the first page. THANKS!