[Nfbmd] FW: Important FCC Updates
Powers, Terry (NIH/NCI) [E]
Terry.Powers at nih.gov
Thu Jun 18 13:49:34 UTC 2015
From: Hill, Debby (NIH/NIAAA) [E]
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 8:46 AM
To: List 3_BLIND_MICE
Subject: FW: Important FCC Updates
Good Morning All,
I got this from the Washington Ear. I thought you might find it interesting. I can't wait to get an easy way to get to the SAP channel.
Have a good day!
Debby
From: Sylvia Rosenthal [mailto:sylvia at washear.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2015 4:22 PM
To: sylvia at washear.org<mailto:sylvia at washear.org>
Cc: neely at washear.org<mailto:neely at washear.org>
Subject: Important FCC Updates
Dear Listeners:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its Chairman have taken several actions recently that we thought you should know about. Below is a list of the actions followed by detailed information with links to the official documents and statements.
IMPORTANT FCC ACTIONS
1. FCC Expands Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements
2. FCC Addresses Two Petitions for Waiver of Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements
3. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler released a set of comprehensive proposals to restructure and modernize the FCC's Lifeline program in include broadband and make it more available to low-income consumers.
4. FCC proposed rules to make permanent the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect"
5. iCanConnect Partnership Information
The first two actions relate to rules adopted by the FCC in 2013, which require emergency information that appears visually during a non-news program (such as in a text crawl displayed during a regularly scheduled program) to be provided aurally on the secondary audio stream. These requirements stem from the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2010.
1. FCC Expands Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements
On May 21, 2015, the FCC expanded its rules to make sure individuals who are blind or visually impaired get critical details about emergencies shown on television.
The new rules adopted by the FCC require that emergency information be made accessible on a secondary audio stream on "second screens," such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and similar devices when subscription television providers, such as cable and satellite operators, permit consumers to access scheduled programming over their networks using an app on these devices. In addition, the new rules require that the equipment used to receive and play back television programming, such as set-top boxes, have a simple and easy-to-use mechanism to switch from the main program audio to the secondary audio stream to hear audible emergency information.
The FCC also seeks comments on additional issues related to the accessibility of emergency information for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. They will announce the deadlines for comments and reply comments after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
The following are links to the Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Press Release, and the statements of Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O'Rielly.
Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-56A1.doc
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-56A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-56A1.txt
Press Release
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A1.doc
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A1.txt
Statement of Chairman Wheeler
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A2.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A2.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A2.txt
Statement of Commissioner Clyburn
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A3.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A3.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A3.txt
Statement of Commissioner Rosenworcel
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A4.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A4.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A4.txt
Statement of Commissioner Pai
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A5.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A5.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A5.txt
Statement of Commissioner O'Rielly
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A6.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A6.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333600A6.txt
2. FCC Addresses Two Petitions for Waiver of Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements
On May 26, 2015, the FCC's Media Bureau addressed two petitions that asked the FCC to waive the FCC's rules requiring emergency information provided visually during non-news programs to be audibly accessible on the secondary audio stream.
First, the Media Bureau granted the request of the American Cable Association (ACA) to allow certain digital/analog hybrid cable systems to comply with these FCC's emergency information accessibility rules by providing free equipment to their analog service customers who are blind or visually impaired to enable access to the digital service secondary audio stream. It also granted ACA's request to extend the deadline for compliance with these emergency information accessibility rules for analog-only cable systems until June 12, 2018.
Second, the Media Bureau granted the request of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to extend the deadline for broadcasters to comply with the requirement to make emergency information accessible through the secondary audio stream for six months, until November 30, 2015. The Media Bureau also granted NAB's request to waive the requirement to aurally describe visual but non-textual emergency information, such as maps or other graphic displays, for 18 months. Finally, the Media Bureau granted NAB's request to allow broadcasters to exclude school closings information from the above accessibility requirements while the FCC reconsiders this requirement as part of the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (described in the announcement above).
Links to the Memorandum Opinion and Order
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-632A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-632A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-15-632A1.txt
For further information, contact Evan Baranoff, Media Bureau, at 202-418-7142 or e-mail Evan.Baranoff at fcc.gov<mailto:Evan.Baranoff at fcc.gov>.
3. FCC Chairman's proposals to restructure and modernize the FCC's Lifeline program to include broadband and make it more available to low-income consumers.
On May 28, 2015, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler released a statement and blog announcing that he has shared with his fellow Commissioners a set of comprehensive proposals to restructure and modernize the FCC's Lifeline program in include broadband and make it more available to low-income consumers. The Lifeline program was established in 1985 to help low-income Americans afford access to telephone services. The proposals for Lifeline reform specifically recognize the benefits of broadband for Americans, including Americans with disabilities.
The following are links to the Chairman's statement and blog:
Statement: https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-seeks-comment-modernizing-reforming-lifeline-broadband
Blog: https://www.fcc.gov/blog/lifeline-low-income-americans
4. FCC proposed rules to make permanent the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect"
On May 21, 2015, the FCC proposed rules to make permanent its program that distributes communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind. The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called "iCanConnect," provides equipment, such as Braille-enabled devices, magnifiers, and vibrating alerts, to individuals who are deaf-blind for access to communication services. We will announce the deadlines for comments and reply comments after the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the Federal Register.
The FCC also adopted an Order extending the current pilot program one year beyond its June 30, 2015 expiration date, to June 30, 2016.
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, signed by President Obama in 2010, authorized the FCC to provide up to $10 million annually from the Telecommunications Relay Service Fund to support the NDBEDP. The pilot program, launched in July 2012, has helped thousands of Americans with combined hearing and vision loss to connect with family, friends, and others in their communities.
For further information, contact Rosaline Crawford, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at 202-418-2075 or e-mail Rosaline.Crawford at fcc.gov<mailto:Rosaline.Crawford at fcc.gov>, or Jackie Ellington, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office, at 202-418-1153 or e-mail Jackie.Ellington at fcc.gov<mailto:Jackie.Ellington at fcc.gov>.
The following are links to the Order extending the pilot program, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Press Release, and the statements of Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O'Rielly.
Order
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-57A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-57A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-57A1.txt
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-58A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-58A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-58A1.txt
Press Release
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A1.doc
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A1.txt
Statement of Chairman Wheeler
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A2.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A2.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A2.txt
Statement of Commissioner Clyburn
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A3.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A3.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A3.txt
Statement of Commissioner Rosenworcel
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A4.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A4.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A4.txt
Statement of Commissioner Pai
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A5.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A5.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A5.txt
Statement of Commissioner O'Rielly
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A6.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A6.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-333591A6.txt
5. iCanConnect Partnership
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) is proud to be the official NDBEDP distributor for Washington DC<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1090273930&msgid=31765242&act=152Z&c=57979&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icanconnect.org%2Fdistrict-columbia>. To learn more about this FREE government program, visit iCanConnect.org<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1090273930&msgid=31765242&act=152Z&c=57979&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iCanConnect.org>, or call (202) 454-6422 for details.
Sylvia Rosenthal
Listener Services Coordinator
The Metropolitan Washington Ear
Sylvia at washear.org<mailto:Sylvia at washear.org>
________________________________
To unsubscribe from the 3_BLIND_MICE list, click the following link:
http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=3_BLIND_MICE&A=1
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbmd_nfbnet.org/attachments/20150618/8f36e6bb/attachment.html>
More information about the NFBMD
mailing list