Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination Listening Session, Washington DC, Gallaudet U.

On September 14, 2023, the FCC's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination hosted the latest in a series of listening sessions to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session was to continue the Commission's outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.

The listening session took place from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. The program agenda included presentations from the Task Force, local leaders, and stakeholders, and included an opportunity for members of the public to share their broadband access experiences in furtherance of the Commission's goals to create a framework for addressing digital discrimination.

Date:
September 14, 2023, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Location:
Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC 20002
Student Academic Center (SAC) Multi-Purpose Room

Agenda

9:00 AM: Doors 

9:30 AM:

• Welcome – D'wana R. Terry, FCC Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination
• Opening Remarks – FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel
• Greetings – Roberta "Bobbi" Cordano, President, Gallaudet University
• FCC Digital Equity Overview – Alejandro Roark, FCC Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination

10:00 AM:

• Panel Discussion #1: Broadband Access Experiences of the Disability Community
  • Facilitator:
    • Diane Burstein, Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
  • Panelists:
    • Henry Claypool, AAPD
    • Stephanie Enyart, American Foundation for the Blind
    • AnnMarie Killian, TDI CEO
    • Shea Tanis, University of Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
    • Bob Williams, Communications First

10:45 AM: Break

11:00 AM:

• Panel Discussion #2: Next Steps and Potential Solutions for Enhancing Disability Access to Broadband
  • Facilitator:
    • Suzy Rosen Singleton, Chief, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
  • Panelists:
    • David Bahar, Director of Telecommunications Access of Maryland
    • Julie Jean-Louis, Project Lead for the Partnership of Employment and Accessible Technology
    • Jonathan Lazar, Professor, College of Information Studies, University of Maryland
    • Christian Vogler, Director, Technology Accessibility Program, Gallaudet University

11:50 AM:

• Session Synopsis - Sanford Williams, FCC Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination
• Closing Remarks – FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks

Download Agenda: Word | PDF

Download Listening Session Transcript: Word | PDF

On December 21, 2022, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking looking to implement provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act pertaining to the prevention and elimination of digital discrimination. The Act establishes various requirements for the prevention and elimination of digital discrimination and tasks the FCC to adopt rules to facilitate equal access to broadband internet access service. This series of listening sessions will help to inform the FCC as it develops these new rules.

Additional information about the listening sessions and the Task Force's work can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/task-force-prevent-digital-discrimination. To contact or request a meeting with the Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination, email PreventDigitalDiscrimination@fcc.gov.