[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 3]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR1193.23]

[Page 512-513]
 
              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
 CHAPTER XI--ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD
 
PART 1193--TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES--Table of Contents
 
                     Subpart B--General Requirements
 
Sec. 1193.23  Product design, development, and evaluation.

    (a) Manufacturers shall evaluate the accessibility, usability, and 
compatibility of telecommunications equipment and customer premises 
equipment and shall incorporate such evaluation throughout product 
design, development, and fabrication, as early

[[Page 513]]

and consistently as possible. Manufacturers shall identify barriers to 
accessibility and usability as part of such a product design and 
development process.
    (b) In developing such a process, manufacturers shall consider the 
following factors, as the manufacturer deems appropriate:
    (1) Where market research is undertaken, including individuals with 
disabilities in target populations of such research;
    (2) Where product design, testing, pilot demonstrations, and product 
trials are conducted, including individuals with disabilities in such 
activities;
    (3) Working cooperatively with appropriate disability-related 
organizations; and
    (4) Making reasonable efforts to validate any unproven access 
solutions through testing with individuals with disabilities or with 
appropriate disability-related organizations that have established 
expertise with individuals with disabilities.