President Barack Obama on Friday signed a bill intended to provide those with disabilities greater access to today's technology.

The new law requires makers of smartphones and other consumer electronics to ensure that their technologies are accessible to those with vision or hearing loss.

"The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind or live with a visual impairment to do what many of us take for granted - from navigating a TV or DVD menu to sending an email on a smartphone," Obama said at the bill signing.

Specifically, it would require accessible Web browsers on smartphones, audible descriptions of on-screen TV action, TV program guides that are accessible to the blind, captions for online TV programming, remote controls with easy access to closed captioning, and VoIP equipment that is compatible with hearing aids.

The bill also sets aside $10 million to help low-income Americans with hearing or vision loss to purchase accessible Internet and telecom services.

The Federal Communications Commission will oversee the bill's enactment.

The Americans with Disabilities Act "mandated physical ramps into buildings. Today, individuals with disabilities need online ramps to the Internet so they can get to the Web from wherever they happen to be," said Rep. Edward Markey, the bill's sponsor.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said the bill is the "most significant disability law in two decades," and that many of its provisions were included in the commission's national broadband plan.

"The new law will ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind and can share fully in the economic and social benefits of broadband," Genachowski said.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland echoed those sentiments. "The Internet is an essential medium for communications, whether for employment purposes or leisure," he said in a statement. "The enactment of this legislation today is a significant step forward to ensure that Americans with disabilities can more fully participate in society and enjoy all that new technologies have to offer, especially Internet-based and mobile services."

The bill also gained the support of the wireless industry; CTIA said it was "pleased" by the bill's passage. "We commend Representative Markey and Senators Pryor, Kerry and Ensign for their commitment to ensuring that every American has access to cutting-edge wireless products and services," CTIA president and CEO Steve Largent said.

In a separate statement, Verizon senior vice president of public policy Kathryn Brown said that bill "will ensure that millions of Americans with disabilities have greater access to new broadband services and technologies."