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

[Christine Boone]

Excellent information Fred.  Thanks for sharing.  

CB

On Mar 18, 2011, at 2:12 PM, fred olver wrote:

> 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--
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
>> ___
>> Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
>> If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
>> copy to the list as well.
>> 
>> To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
>> braillenote-unsubscribe at list.humanware.com
>> To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
>> http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Electronics-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/goodfolks%40charter.net
> _______________________________________________
> nfbmi-talk mailing list
> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nfbmi-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/christine_boone%40comcast.net