President Obama to Sign the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

On Friday, October 8, President Barack Obama will sign the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 into law and deliver brief remarks on the impact of this law on people with disabilities. This event in the East Room will be open press and streamed on www.whitehouse.gov/live.

The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 will update current law to increase access to internet, television and telecommunications technologies using such tools as closed captioning and video description. The Act also will help improve delivery of emergency information during a disaster or crisis to ensure that no person with a disability is without the necessary information. It also will help increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. On Tuesday, the President signed into law Rosa’s Law. Rosa’s Law replaces the term “mentally retarded” with “an individual with an intellectual disability” and “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability,” where applicable in federal statutes. Rosa’s Law does not alter eligibility of services nor lead to a diminution of rights for these individuals. WHAT: President Obama Signs the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 and delivers brief remarks WHERE: East Room WHEN: Friday, October 8, 2010, at 2:00 PM (Pre-Set 1:00 PM, Final Gather 1:30 PM, North Doors of the Palm Room. Reporters should enter the White House grounds through the Northwest gate on Pennsylvania Ave) RSVP: Press who do not have a White House hard pass should send their full name, outlet, date of birth, Social Security number and citizenship if not U.S. to no later than Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10 AM. While this event is open press, riser space is limited.