KRS 163.485: Legislative findings and declarations relating to accessible electronic

information for the disabled.

The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Approximately eight hundred seventy -four thousand (874,000) Kentuckians have

disabilities and, of t his number, approximately three hundred thousand (300,000)

are blind or visually impaired or have other print impairments that prevent them

from using conventional print material;

(2) Kentucky fulfills an important responsibility by providing books and mag azines

prepared in Braille, audio, and large -type formats to eligible blind and disabled

persons;

(3) The technology, transcription methods, and means of distribution used for these

materials are labor -intensive and cannot support rapid dissemination to in dividuals

in rural and urban areas throughout the state;

(4) Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers,

magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time -sensitive

materials limits educational, employment, and in dependent opportunities, literacy,

and full participation in society by blind and disabled persons;

(5) This limitation can be overcome through the use of high-speed computer, radio, and

telecommunications technology, combined with customized software, pro viding a

practical cost-effective way to convert electronic text-based information into human

or synthetic speech suitable for statewide distribution and accessible through radio,

a touch-tone telephone, and modern telecommunications technology;

(6) Radio, telecommunications, and voice -based information systems are cost -efficient

information delivery systems for this state;

(7) Federal funds have been used to develop the technology and infrastructure needed

for statewide toll -free access to daily newspapers and other timely information of

local, state, and national interests, providing an efficient and cost-effective means of

reader registration, content acquisition, and intrastate telecommunications support;

and

(8) Use of this accessible electronic information service will enhance Kentucky's efforts

to meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens for access to information that is

otherwise available in print, thereby reducing isolation and supporting full

integration and equal access for such individuals.