context->filename = 'n:\utility\503500258\5006214298\5006214298.pdf'

 *Pages 1--1 from  n:\utility\503500258\5006214298\5006214298.pdf*
 1301  S.  Capitol  Blvd,  Suite  C  Boise,  ID  83706-  2926 
 (208)  343-  1377,  336-  5333  Gfax) 
 March  16,  2ooO 


 Magalie  Roman  Salas  Office  of  the  Secretary 
 Federal  Communications  Commission  445  Twelfth  Street,  SW,  TWX325 
 Washington,  DC  20554 
 RE:  MM  Docket  No.  99-  339 
 Dear  Ms.  Salas: 
 I  am  writing  to  support  the  position  of  the  National  Federation  of  the  Blind  regarding  audio  descriptions  of  visual  images  on  television  for  blind  people.  The  letter  sent  to  you  by 
 James  Gashel  expresses  very  well  the  complexities  with  this  issue  and  the  real  needs  of  the  blind.  Most  entertainment  featured  on  television  is  expressed  both  verbally  and  visually.  The 
 verbal  and  visual  reinforce  one  another.  When  this  is  not  the  case,  a  little  imagination  will  often  take  care  of  filling  in  the  gaps. 


 When  printed  letters  or  numbers  are  used  to  save  time  and  are  not  verbalized,  this  is  a  different  story.  This  is  when  audio  descriptions  to  explain  part  of  what  is  on  the  television 
 screen  really  matters,  because  there  is  no  way  to  know  a  name,  a  phone  number,  or  a  brand  of  merchandise  if  it  is  not  announced  If  the  FCC  wants  to  get  into  this  area,  then  it  should 
 address  the  real  problem,  not  the  periphery. 
 I  will  save  you  the  time  of  re-  reading  the  things  in  James  Gashel’s  letter.  He  covered  the  matter  well.  Please  consider  the  &  needs  of  the  blind  when  you  make  rules  regarding 
 Secondary  Audio  Programming  (SAP). 
 Very  truly  yours, 


 RW/  tmo  Ramona  Walhof  No.  of  Copies  r&  d  List  ABCDE 
1