FYI->New Information Sheet on the 21st Century Com & Video Accessibility Act

> FYI... this was just released today to remind folks of new
> provisions re accessibility and video...


> Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of
> 2010 - Pub. L. 111-260
>
> 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 21st century technologies, including new
> digital, broadband, and mobile innovations.  The following are
> highlights of the new law.
>
>
> Title I b 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 brampb 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 FCCbs 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 9b1b1 services by people with disabilities.
> Title II b 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).
> B7         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 b 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.
> B7         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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