[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR7.7]

[Page 652]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PART 7--ACCESS TO VOICEMAIL AND INTERACTIVE MENU SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES--Table of Contents
 
         Subpart C--Obligations--What Must Covered Entities Do?
 
Sec. 7.7  Product design, development, and evaluation.

    (a) Manufacturers and service providers shall evaluate the 
accessibility, usability, and compatibility of equipment and services 
covered by this part and shall incorporate such evaluation throughout 
product design, development, and fabrication, as early and consistently 
as possible. Manufacturers and service providers shall identify barriers 
to accessibility and usability as part of such a product design and 
development process.
    (b) In developing such a process, manufacturers and service 
providers 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.