Commission members wish to explore the gamut of issues raised in order to develop policy recommendations to appropriate government agencies and other organizations. Members of the public are welcome to attend. While the Commission has chosen as the site of the hearing one of the nation's foremost educational facilities for the deaf, the focus of this event goes far beyond individuals with hearing disabilities. Commission members wish to hear from individuals with disabilities of all types, as well as from legislators, educators, parents, library and information service professionals, representatives from national associations and organizations, volunteers, physicians, and researchers. Electronic text can be manipulated in ways that print cannot to assist persons with disabilities.
Information technology can also help to eliminate distance and physical barriers.
Libraries and librarians perform an indispensable role in connecting disabled individuals to the information resources they need to lead productive, independent lives. Written comments will be accepted before, during, or up to 30 days after the hearing. The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to appraise the adequacies and deficiencies of current library and information resources and services and to advise the President and Congress on national and international library and information policies and plans.