{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-163.485","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 163.485","heading":"Legislative findings and declarations relating to accessible electronic","body":"information for the disabled.\nThe General Assembly finds and declares that:\n(1) Approximately eight hundred seventy -four thousand (874,000) Kentuckians have\ndisabilities and, of t his number, approximately three hundred thousand (300,000)\nare blind or visually impaired or have other print impairments that prevent them\nfrom using conventional print material;\n(2) Kentucky fulfills an important responsibility by providing books and mag azines\nprepared in Braille, audio, and large -type formats to eligible blind and disabled\npersons;\n(3) The technology, transcription methods, and means of distribution used for these\nmaterials are labor -intensive and cannot support rapid dissemination to in dividuals\nin rural and urban areas throughout the state;\n(4) Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers,\nmagazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time -sensitive\nmaterials limits educational, employment, and in dependent opportunities, literacy,\nand full participation in society by blind and disabled persons;\n(5) This limitation can be overcome through the use of high-speed computer, radio, and\ntelecommunications technology, combined with customized software, pro viding a\npractical cost-effective way to convert electronic text-based information into human\nor synthetic speech suitable for statewide distribution and accessible through radio,\na touch-tone telephone, and modern telecommunications technology;\n(6) Radio, telecommunications, and voice -based information systems are cost -efficient\ninformation delivery systems for this state;\n(7) Federal funds have been used to develop the technology and infrastructure needed\nfor statewide toll -free access to daily newspapers  and other timely information of\nlocal, state, and national interests, providing an efficient and cost-effective means of\nreader registration, content acquisition, and intrastate telecommunications support;\nand\n(8) Use of this accessible electronic information service will enhance Kentucky's efforts\nto meet the needs of blind and disabled citizens for access to information that is\notherwise available in print, thereby reducing isolation and supporting full\nintegration and equal access for such individuals.","path":["KRS Chapter 163"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=4144","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:51:13Z","sha256":"a8902555c9cc20c202a4712134657bf36293e90ab12c276cb78919625f55fff8","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-163.480","next":"us-ky/krs-163.487"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}