[Nfbf-l] ALERT!--YOU DID IT!--New FCC Rules Will Revolutionize TV Accessibility!

[Alan Dicey]

ALERT!--YOU DID IT!--New FCC Rules Will Revolutionize TV Accessibility!
ALERT!--YOU DID IT!
New FCC Rules Will Make TV/TV-Like Devices Accessible!
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, AFB
(202) 469-6833
MRichert at afb.net

Dear Advocates:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just announced that it will 
be publishing final regulations requiring that virtually all TV and TV-like 
devices must be accessible through audible controls, guides and menus! This 
action by the FCC is the result of an unprecedented outpouring by the vision 
loss community demanding greater accessibility. Advocates will recall that 
there had been attempts by some industry groups to thwart the intent of the 
historic Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act 
(CVAA) to revolutionize the television viewing experience for people with 
disabilities. AFB, along with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) 
successfully negotiated with leading industry advocates to craft the 
consensus that the FCC ultimately used to adopt their new rules. Under this 
consensus, virtually all TV and TV-like devices, inclusive of tablets and 
smart phones, receiving digital video programming must be accessible through 
audible controls. The rules do apply a slightly different degree of 
accessibility requirements on devices that depend on additional equipment, 
such as a so-called cable card. However, even in such instances, the devices 
must be accessible but will only be required to be provided upon request. 
All other devices must be accessible as a matter of course unless the 
manufacturer can demonstrate that accessibility was not achievable.

This rulemaking is the last of the many rulemaking proceedings implementing 
the CVAA which, along with requirements for described TV programming and 
accessible advanced communications services such as text messaging and 
email, will forever change the way people who are blind or visually impaired 
can fully use and enjoy the most ubiquitous technologies on the market 
today.

Once the final official version of the new rules has been published, there 
will be more to say about the details. As with all of the FCC's regulations, 
they will only work to the extent that our community makes use of them 
through ongoing advocacy. And if history is our guide in this regard, these 
new rules will be a tremendous success. When our community was called upon 
to make our voices heard, you were heard in no uncertain terms. Your 
advocacy made this transformative achievement possible. It will be up to all 
of us to continue to hold companies accountable for their responsibilities 
under these new rules to make their video programming devices fully 
accessible to us.

You did it! Congratulations, and thank you!
Mark


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