[NFB-Idaho] Fwd: [NFB-DB] Senator Markey, Rep. Eshoo Introduce Legislation to Ensure Accessibility of Video, Communication, and Emerging Technologies

[Frank Skogsberg]

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> From: Scott Davert via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Date: November 17, 2022 at 2:14:51 PM MST
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NFB-DB] Senator Markey, Rep. Eshoo Introduce Legislation to Ensure Accessibility of Video, Communication, and Emerging Technologies
> Reply-To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Passing along FYI.
> 
> Washington (November 17, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a
> member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and
> author of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
> (CVAA), and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), senior member of the
> House Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced the
> Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA). The
> CVTA updates and amends the CVAA to keep pace with the proliferation
> of emerging technologies that have come online since Senator Markey’s
> 2010 bill was passed with bipartisan support, and will ensure that
> people with disabilities have full access to the range of mainstream
> communication products and services that are necessary to participate
> equally in professional, educational, recreational, and civic
> contexts, while laying a foundation for accessibility in future
> technologies.
> “Since I authored the 21st Century Communications and Video
> Accessibility Act, technologies have changed. What hasn’t changed is
> our obligation to make sure that everyone – including people with
> disabilities – has equal access to the services and technologies they
> need to thrive,” said Senator Markey. “That is why I am introducing
> the Communications, Video, and Accessibility Technology Act, to update
> current laws on the books so that we can meet the technological moment
> and ensure opportunity, independence, and equal access for all.”
> “As technology has rapidly evolved over the last two decades, much of
> our economy and day-to-day lives have moved online. Unfortunately,
> accessibility standards have stayed largely the same, leaving people
> with disabilities behind. In 2020, 38% of people who were blind or had
> low vision reported issues with at least one of the technologies
> needed to do their jobs, and in 2021 as many as 70% of students who
> are deaf or hard of hearing reported technology challenges in the
> educational environment,” said Rep. Eshoo. “I’m proud to introduce
> legislation with Senator Markey to update current laws so people with
> disabilities have full access to modern technology that is necessary
> to participate equally in the 21st century.”
> “Accessibility means equal opportunity to create, participate, and
> communicate—and promoting accessible technology is an important part
> of our agency’s mission,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “To
> do so effectively we need to keep up with emerging technologies. This
> legislation will help us do just that, by ensuring that people with
> disabilities have full access to communication products and services
> that are necessary to participate equally in today’s world, while
> laying a foundation for accessibility in future technologies.”
> Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.),
> Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tammy Duckworth
> (D-Ill.) are cosponsors.
> 
> Since Congress enacted the CVAA in 2010, accessibility requirements
> for people with disabilities have not kept pace with changing
> technologies. As a result, individuals with disabilities do not have
> full access to many communication and video tools that are essential
> today. For example, the majority of video programming lacks audio
> descriptions for people who are blind or low vision, accuracy issues
> plague closed captioning on both online and televised video
> programming for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, video
> conferencing services do not have adequate functionality for people
> with disabilities, and deaf individuals who use sign language face
> significant barriers to access emergency services.
> To address these and other issues, the CVTA would:
> 1.    Improve and expand closed captioning and audio description
> standards for television programming and online video streaming
> platforms to ensure that people with disabilities have equitable
> access to the wide range of programming available to the general
> public;
> 2.    Update current requirements to ensure viewers can easily activate
> and select preferred settings for closed captions and audio
> description on their video programming devices, such as televisions,
> smart phones, laptops, and tablets;
> 3.    Improve access to video programming for people who are deaf and use
> sign language;
> 4.    Empower the FCC to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with
> emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and augmented
> or virtual reality platforms.
> The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act is
> endorsed by Access Living, Access Ready, American Council of the
> Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, Association of Assistive
> Technology Act Programs, Blinded Veterans Association,
> CommunicationFIRST, Carroll Center for the Blind, Communication
> Service for the Deaf, Hearing Loss Association of America, National
> Association of the Deaf, National Federation of the Blind,
> Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Inc., Perkins
> School For The Blind, and United Spinal Association.
> “For people with disabilities, accessible information and
> communication technology is a necessity, not a luxury or convenience,
> that fosters independence, economic self-sufficiency, and active,
> meaningful participation in civic life,” said Douglas George Towne,
> Chairman and CEO of Access Ready. “Access Ready is proud to endorse
> this legislation to build on the achievements of the CVAA to open up,
> protect, expand, and improve existing and emerging information and
> communication technologies to all people with disabilities,” said Doug
> Towne, Chair and CEO, Access Ready.
> "With telecommunication accessibility standards lagging technology
> advances, I am not surprised the unemployment rate for blind and
> visually impaired persons of working age remains close to 70 percent.
> The CVTA Act will help address this lag by filling in the gaps and
> helping ensure that people with disabilities have full access to the
> range of mainstream communication products and services that are now
> necessary to participate equally in employment such as video
> conferencing.  Most significantly, it will provide a proactive
> solution by laying a foundation for accessibility in future
> technologies. The Blinded Veterans Association thanks Senator Markey
> and Congresswoman Eshoo for their leadership by sponsoring this vital
> legislation," said James Vale, National Service Director, Benefits &
> Policy, Blinded Veterans Association
> “The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
> laid the foundation for accessible technology and inclusive media for
> people who are blind, low vision, and Deafblind. Thanks to the CVAA,
> people who are blind, low vision, and Deafblind have access to
> accessible telecommunications technology, mobile web browsers, and
> accessible video content. Since the CVAA was signed into law, we have
> witnessed unparalleled technological innovation and widespread
> adoption of new communications and video distribution models, by
> content creators and consumers alike. For these reasons, it is
> necessary for Congress to reaffirm our nation’s commitment to
> accessible communications and video technologies. The American Council
> of the Blind commends Sen. Markey and Rep. Eshoo for introducing the
> Communications, Video, Technology Accessibility Act,” said Eric
> Bridges, Executive Director, ACB. “Once passed, the CVTA will ensure
> that critical communications technologies are accessible to people who
> are blind, low vision, and Deafblind and reiterate our nation’s
> commitment to accessible media and video content, regardless of how or
> where it is viewed by consumers.”
> “The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
> catalyzed more than a decade of substantial improvements in access to
> telecommunications services and video programming. However, there is
> still a long way to go before people who are blind, deafblind, or have
> low vision can watch any program with the same access as people
> without disabilities and fully access new and emerging communications
> services. We urge Congress to keep this progress going by passing the
> Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2022,” said
> Stephanie Enyart, Chief Public Policy and Research Officer, American
> Foundation for the Blind.
> “The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision
> rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges
> of vision loss and often other disabilities. With the rapid
> advancement of emerging technologies, we witness everyday how critical
> it is to ensure that today’s tools, systems and devices are accessible
> and inclusive to all.  For those with disabilities, accessible
> technology is essential for success in their day-to-day-lives, whether
> in school, work, home, and community. The Carroll Center for the Blind
> proudly endorses and applauds the CVTA bill that will undoubtedly
> further ensure an inclusive world for all,” said Greg Donnelly,
> President and CEO, The Carroll Center for the Blind.
> “CommunicationFIRST deeply thanks Senator Edward Markey and
> Representative Anna Eshoo for authoring and introducing the
> Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act. The bill
> strengthens current laws by assuring ALL people with disabilities have
> full access to the range of communication products and services needed
> to participate equally in every facet of life. It will also lay a
> foundation for accessibility in future technologies. The bill tasks
> the Federal Communications Commission together with the U.S. Access
> Board on identifying and pursuing solutions to ensure that new and
> emerging communications and video technology and services are
> accessible to all people with disabilities, including individuals who
> use augmentative and alternative communication devices to effectively
> communicate. Thanks to Senator Markey and Representative Eshoo’s
> leadership, this bill would ensure access to the same technology and
> services most take for granted a reality for those of us who rely on
> AAC, ” said Bob Williams, Policy Director, CommunicationFIRST.”
> “Communication Service for the Deaf, the largest non-profit
> organization in the US devoted to serving deaf communities, stands
> fully behind these amendments to the 21st Century Communications and
> Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The CVAA has gone a long way toward
> achieving communication equity and digital inclusivity, but must be
> made contemporaneous if its intended spirit is to be fully realized.
> The race to introduce new technologies often happens without the
> disability community’s participation, negatively impacting the
> quality-of-life for this population,” said Christopher Soukup, CEO,
> Communication Service for the Deaf. “The Video, Communications, and
> Technology Accessibility Act will ensure that no one is left behind,
> effectively close critical gaps in communication and video programming
> technologies that have occurred over the past 12 years, and enable all
> Americans with disabilities to benefit equally as new innovations are
> developed.”
> “Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) commends Senator Edward
> Markey and Representative Anna Eshoo for their leadership in
> introducing the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility
> Act (CVTA),” said Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, Hearing Loss
> Association for America (HLAA). “This update to the groundbreaking
> 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act takes into
> account how rapidly technology is changing. For example, CVTA will
> ensure people will have access to video conferencing platforms with
> built-in accessibility features, such as automatic captioning
> functions that will allow people with hearing loss to be fully part of
> the conversation. That's real progress.”
> “Since the original 21st Century Communication and Video Accessibility
> Act (CVAA) was passed in 2010, there have been incredible advances in
> technology and telecommunications that require updates in the law to
> ensure equal access for everyone, including Deaf, DeafBlind,
> DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing people. The proposed bill includes
> new language that continues to improve on captioning of Internet
> streaming videos and adds visual access to sign language interpreting
> on television and other video formats. We urge immediate passage of
> this bill so that no one is left behind with each innovation,” said
> Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO, National Association of the Deaf.
> “As video content, online communication, and digital technology play
> an ever-increasing role in all of our lives, it is critical that
> accessibility regulations keep pace with this rapidly evolving
> landscape,” said Mark Riccobono, President, National Federation of the
> Blind. “These regulations must include the promotion of audio
> description and captioning, and the ability to easily access these
> services, across all platforms and devices. Audio description and
> captioning provide blind and deafblind people with equal access not
> only to education and employment but also to culture and
> entertainment. Access to our culture is no less crucial, since it
> allows us all to participate in the national and global conversation
> and is therefore part of our ultimate goals of full integration and
> living the lives we want. We therefore commend Senator Markey and
> Congresswoman Eshoo for this forward-thinking legislation, and we urge
> their colleagues to work with them — and with the blind, deafblind,
> and disabled communities — toward its ultimate passage.”
> "The Communications and Video Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) is
> ground-breaking legislation that will empower people with disabilities
> to communicate effectively in all aspects of their lives. I applaud
> Senator Ed Markey and Representative Anna Eshoo for their leadership
> in championing this legislation that will help ensure that the Federal
> Communications Commission continues to protect access to evolving
> technologies for all people with disabilities. As a long time
> disability rights advocate and in my current role working with
> Voiceitt Inc., a company that has achieved a breakthrough and
> affordable Artificial Intelligence speech generation technology, I
> look forward to working with the disability community, Congress,
> Federal agencies, and the private sector so that everyone with a
> speech disability, atypical speech, or non-standard speech will be
> able to communicate independently and be understood by others,” said
> Ralph G. Neas, former Executive Director, Leadership Conference on
> Civil and Human Rights; incoming board member and Senior Strategy
> Advisor to the CEO, Voiceitt, Inc.
> “The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) of
> 2010 was a historical landmark law that strengthened accessibility in
> Information and Communications Technology (ICT); however, as
> technology continued to rapidly evolve, so has accessibility barriers
> for people with disabilities which has created a digital inequity gap.
> The Amendment toward CVAA is a critical lever to address those
> barriers and in achieving digital inclusion and equity,” said Thomas
> Horejes, Director for Policy & Advocacy, TDI.
> “As more and more of our daily lives are conducted through
> communications and video technologies, truly equitable access for all
> people with disabilities is non-negotiable. The Communications, Video,
> and Technology Accessibility Act of 2022 will help ensure that more
> people with disabilities are able to achieve the full benefit of these
> critical services,” said Dave Power, President & CEO, the Perkins
> School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. “We applaud Senator Markey and
> Representative Eshoo for recognizing the wide range of disabilities
> that can impact communication access and strengthening the iCanConnect
> Program to allow individuals with cortical/cerebral visual impairment
> and auditory processing disorders to access the assistive technology
> they need.”
> “The CVTA represents a landmark step toward equitable access for
> video, communications, and technology for a wide range of communities
> of people with disabilities. The Samuelson-Glushko Technology Law &
> Policy Clinic is proud to have contributed to the drafting of the bill
> on behalf of our client, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of
> Hearing, Inc. (TDI), and is grateful for the opportunity to
> collaborate with the bill’s broad coalition of advocates,” said Blake
> E. Reid, Director, Samuelson-Glushko Technology Law & Policy Clinic.
> 
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