[nfbmi-talk] 21st century communications act becomes law.

[fred olver]

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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