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The Federal Communications Commission last week approved one of the most important advances in communications technology for deaf and hard of hearing people in decades, in one of the agency's final acts under the leadership of outgoing FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.
In a move that's being hailed by accessibility advocates and leaders in the deaf and hard of hearing community as a historic step forward, the five-member FCC unanimously adopted rules to facilitate the transition from outdated, analog teletype (TTY) devices to a new, internet-based, real-time text messaging standard (RTT) compatible with the latest smart phones.
As a result of the FCC's action, the nation's wireless carriers and device manufacturers will be required to support RTT functionality, which allows real-time text messaging—without the need to hit "send"—in which the recipient can instantly see letters, characters and words as they are being typed.
[...] This innovation will facilitate more natural, conversation-friendly communication for deaf and hard of hearing people—without the need for separate, specialized hardware. It will also allow 911 operators to receive incomplete messages during an emergency, potentially saving lives. RTT technology is expected to be inter-operable across wireless networks and devices, creating the potential for unprecedented ease of communication between deaf and hearing people.
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Tuesday December 20 2016, @02:08AM
No, YOU are wrong. There are multiple ways to implement standards, as long as your approach meets the criteria. Lately, some car manufacturers have been using the new IsoFix technology to attach seats to the car chassis. Not required, but a better way. A more effective implementation of the standard.
There is a reason for regulations - it's because the market won't supply things that don't make a short-term profit for them. Case in point, compare a crash test of the least expensive Nissan car sold in Mexico vs the least expensive Nissan car sold in the USA [youtube.com]. The Mexican driver gets effed up (interior camera starts about 0:45) because Mexican law does not require airbags, amongst many other things. Leave it to the market, and a lot more US citizens would end up dead.
On your building technology question, how many office buildings do you think would install wheelchair access ramps if they were not forced to by law? How many houses would have built to a level that would comply with energy rating requirements if those requirements did not exist? Please be honest with your answers.