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Original Message --------
Subject: [BCT] Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act is passed
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:46:34 -0500
From: Neal Ewers <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: Bct <[email protected]>
*Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
- Pub. L. 111-260*
On October 8, 2010, President Obama signed the Twenty-First Century
Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) into law. The CVAA
updates federal communications law to increase the access of persons
with disabilities to modern communications. The CVAA makes sure that
accessibility laws enacted in the 1980s and 1990s are brought up to date
with 21^st century technologies, including new digital, broadband, and
mobile innovations. The following are highlights of the new law.
*__*
*_Title I – Communications Access_*
* Requires advanced communications services and products to be
accessible by people with disabilities. Advanced communications
services are defined as (1) interconnected voice over Internet
protocol (VoIP) service; (2) non-interconnected VoIP service; (3)
electronic messaging service; and (4) interoperable video
conferencing service. This includes, for example, text messaging,
e-mail, instant messaging, and video communications.
* Requires access to web browsers on mobile devices by people who
are blind or visually impaired (a “ramp” to the Internet on mobile
devices).
* Creates industry recordkeeping obligations; requires changes to
complaint and enforcement procedures; tightens deadlines for the
FCC to respond to consumer complaints; requires biennial reporting
by the FCC to Congress; and directs the Comptroller General to
issue a five-year report on the FCC’s implementation.
* Requires an FCC clearinghouse on accessible communications
services and equipment.
* Applies the hearing aid compatibility mandates to telephone-like
equipment used with advanced communications services.
* Updates the definition of telecommunications relay services (TRS)
to include people who are deaf-blind and to allow communication
between and among different types of relay users.
* Requires interconnected and non-interconnected VoIP service
providers to contribute to the Interstate TRS Fund.
* Directs the allocation of up to $10 million per year from the
Interstate TRS Fund for the distribution of specialized equipment
to low-income people who are deaf-blind, to enable these
individuals to access telecommunications service, Internet access
service, and advanced communications.
* Authorizes FCC action to ensure reliable and interoperable access
to next generation 9‑1‑1 services by people with disabilities.
*_Title II – Video Programming _*
* Restores video description rules promulgated by the FCC in 2000
and authorizes some expansion of those obligations over the next
10+ years.
* Requires video programming that is closed captioned on TV to be
closed captioned when distributed on the Internet (does not cover
programs shown only on the Internet).
·Establishes deadlines for the FCC to respond to requests for exemption
from the closed captioning rules.
* Requires video programming distributors, providers, and owners to
convey emergency information a manner that is accessible to people
who are blind or visually impaired.
* Expands the requirement for video programming equipment (equipment
that shows TV programs) to be capable of displaying closed
captions, to devices with screens smaller than 13 inches (e.g.,
portable TVs, laptops, smart phones), and requires these devices
to be able to pass through video descriptions and emergency
information that is accessible to people who are blind or visually
impaired, if technically feasible and achievable.
* Requires devices designed to record TV programs to pass through
closed captions, video description, and emergency information so
viewers are able to turn on/off the closed captions and video
description when the TV program is played back, if achievable.
* Requires interconnection mechanisms (cables) to carry (from the
source device to the consumer equipment – e.g., TV set) the
information necessary to permit the display of closed captions and
make video description and emergency information audible.
* Requires user controls for TVs and other video programming devices
to be accessible, and to have a button, key, icon, or comparable
mechanism designated for easily activating closed captioning and
video description.
·Requires on-screen text menus and program guides displayed on TV by
set-top boxes to be accessible to people who are blind or visually
impaired and requires set-top boxes to have a button, key, icon, or
comparable mechanism to allow easy activation of closed captioning (when
built-in to the set-top box) and video description.
--FCC--
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