[Ohio-Talk] passing along, has anyone seen this?

[delcenia at prodigy.net]

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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