TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AudioEye, Inc.
(OTCQB: AEYE) ("AudioEye") today announced that the U.S.
Access Board (the Board) has released for public comment a proposed
rule updating accessibility standards for information and
communication technology (ICT) in the federal sector covered by
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The refresh also covers
guidelines for telecommunications equipment subject to Section 255
of the Communications Act.
"The Board's proposal is responsive to widespread changes and
innovations in the IT and communication industries," states Sachin
Dev Pavithran, Vice Chair of the Access Board. "It is important
that the 508 Standards and 255 Guidelines stay abreast of the
ever-evolving technologies they cover so that accessibility for
people with disabilities is properly addressed."
The proposed refresh updates various requirements to address
fundamental shifts and trends in the market, such as the
convergence of technologies and the increasingly multi-functional
capabilities of products like smart phones. Another key goal of
this update is to promote consistency with other requirements in
the United States and abroad in
order to improve accessibility and to facilitate compliance. A
leading reference, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG),
is incorporated into the rule and applied to web-based content as
well as to offline documents and software.
The proposed rule specifies the technologies covered and
contains performance-based criteria as well as technical
requirements for hardware, software, and support documentation and
services. Access is addressed for all types of disabilities,
including those pertaining to vision, hearing, color perception,
speech, manual dexterity, reach and strength. The proposed rule is
based on recommendations from the Board's Telecommunications and
Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee (TEITAC)
which is comprised of a broad cross-section of stakeholders
representing industry, disability groups, government agencies and
other countries. It also incorporates public feedback the Board
received through the release of two advance drafts of the rule.
In addition to public-facing content - as outlined in existing
508 standards, the proposed rule also establishes new requirements
related to a federal agency's dissemination of various types of
"digital electronic content that constitutes agency official
business or that falls within any of these categories: emergency
notifications; initial or final decisions adjudicating
administrative claims or proceedings; internal or external program
or policy announcements; notices of benefits, program eligibility,
employment opportunities or personnel actions; formal
acknowledgements or receipts; questionnaires or surveys; templates
or forms; and educational or training materials." These
categories broadly expand the application of web accessibility best
practices not only to the federal agencies themselves, but also on
the countless federal contractors and software tool providers that
service them. "This is significant development to our
business and a validation of our strategy to create leading edge
technology to address accessibility, usability and compliance,"
stated Nathaniel Bradley, Chief
Executive Officer of AudioEye. "We are the most cost-effective and
complete solution for our government and corporations to address
the mandates of web and mobile accessibility."
Public comments on the rule, as well as on a preliminary
assessment of its estimated costs and benefits, are due in 90 days.
The Board also will hold public hearings on the rule in
San Diego on March 5 and in Washington, DC on March
11. In addition, the Board will conduct a public webinar to
review the proposal on March 31.
Further information on this rulemaking, including a summary of
the rule, is available on the Board's website at
www.access-board.gov.
Additional, forthcoming and equally significant rulings are
anticipated from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that will likely
outline similar web accessibility requirements as they pertain to
businesses and to state and local governments. In previous
public filings, the DOJ has stated that their notice of proposed
rule making for these will be published as early as May of this
year.
About AudioEye, Inc.
Incorporated in 2005, AudioEye focuses on achieving web access
equality and usability for all people through technological
expertise and innovation.
The AudioEye Web A11y Management Platform™
provides publishers full control over the accessibility of their
web assets and web environments, allowing the publisher to
recognize, remediate, and report its real-time accessibility
status.
AudioEye is the creator of the world's most inclusive,
cloud-based, cross-platform/cross-browser, audible reader solution
for accessible web browsing. AudioEye's flagship product improves
the user-friendliness of the web for all users, regardless of their
unique abilities.
Whether an individual seeking improved access and usability, or
a publisher looking to ensure the highest level of accessibility
compliance and reach across electronic information technologies,
AudioEye is Your Web Accessibility Ally™.
AudioEye's common stock trades on the OTCQB under the symbol
"AEYE". Please visit www.audioeye.com for more information.
The company maintains offices in Tucson, New
York, Atlanta and
Washington, D.C.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements contained
within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All
statements regarding AudioEye's expected future financial position,
results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business
strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth
opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future
operations, as well as statements that include words such as
"anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect,"
"intend," "may," "could," "should," "will" and other similar
expressions, are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking
statements involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of
which are beyond AudioEye's control, which may cause actual
results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from
anticipated results, performance, or achievements. Factors that may
cause actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements include those set forth in AudioEye's
Form 10-K and other report filings with the SEC. AudioEye is under
no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to)
update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
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SOURCE AudioEye, Inc.