/PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- Disability Power and Pride (DPP), with support from AT&T*, is hosting Apps4Access on Capitol Hill, an event highlighting the important role that applications play in improving accessibility.

Apps4Access, hosted in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, will showcase applications, across a variety of platforms, that are designed to improve accessibility. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience firsthand how innovations improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Representatives from a range of companies will demonstrate apps and discuss the bright future that apps will bring for improved accessibility.

Following the showcase, there will be a moderated panel discussion on what steps can be taken to improve quality and increase awareness of existing applications. The panel will feature experts from the disability community as well as the telecom and applications industries and representatives from Federal agencies are expected to play a critical role.

"Access to technology is critical to members of the disability community and our society as a whole," said Tony Coelho, Chairman of DPP, former Majority Whip of the House of Representatives and a leader in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. "The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) played a critical role in breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. In the last 20 years there have been great technological advancements that provide new opportunities - and challenges. As we look towards the future, accessible applications will play a critical role in providing new 'electronic curb-cuts' to millions of Americans with disabilities."

CDPP's mission is to change public perceptions of disabilities by promoting leadership and empowerment.New accessible technologies, such as those shown at Apps4Access will play a key role in furthering this effort.

"We are pleased to be working with another accessibility leader like Disability Power and Pride and to be participating in an event that focuses on new opportunities for improving accessibility," said Cindy Brinkley, AT&T SVP - Talent Development & Chief Diversity Officer. "Throughout our history, AT&T has operated with the understanding that accessibility is more than a word; it is a commitment - to connecting all people with their worlds. That commitment drives innovation at AT&T; it reminds us to rethink possible - and it will continue to define our company and culture for decades to come."

AT&T's commitment to innovation and accessibility has led to the development, by the AT&T Labs and AT&T's business partners, of a series of industry-changing products and services. These innovations include Alexander Graham Bell's telephone in 1876, the self contained "Electronic Larynx" in 1960, hearing aid-safe handsets in 1975, TALKS in 2004, the industry leading WATSON speech recognition technology, and many others. Through initiatives such as the AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging, AT&T continues to form relationships with leading members of the disabilities community, such as DPP. These advisors provide valuable insight which helps shape the development of accessible products and services for customers with disabilities.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.

About CDPP
Disability Power & Pride is a campaign to engage the full spectrum of the disability community to be an organized, visible, and powerful constituency. The Committee on Disability Power & Pride is a not-for-profit organization with a small volunteer board of directors. The full committee consists of dedicated and inspired volunteer disability leaders throughout the US. To find out more, visit www.mypowerandpride.org.

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