Summary#
This bill updates the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. It directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise rules so more video and communication services are accessible to people with disabilities. Key items include new or updated requirements for closed captioning and caption quality for online video and consumer-generated media; expanded audio description rules for television and online video; rules to keep sign language interpretation visible; accessibility requirements for video playback devices and navigation devices; new accessibility features and standards for interoperable video conferencing; updates to relay services including definitions for communication facilitators and Deaf interpreters and support for direct video calling services; an increase in funding for the national DeafBlind equipment distribution program to $20,000,000 with annual inflation adjustments; creation of a Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign Language Advisory Committee to make technical recommendations; regular FCC reporting and rulemaking on emerging technologies and accessibility; stronger enforcement language allowing FCC forfeitures for accessibility violations; and regular complaint and progress reporting to Congress.
What it means for you#
- If you are a viewer who is deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, DeafBlind, or who relies on sign language, the bill aims to make more TV shows, streaming videos, and video services easier to use by expanding captions, audio description, and sign language visibility.
- If you create or host online videos (including platforms with user-uploaded videos), you may need to provide authoring tools, notices, or meet deadlines to add captions and audio description, per new FCC rules.
- If you make or sell video devices or navigation equipment, those devices must include accessible controls, prompts for accessibility settings, and, where achievable, hardware or audio tracks for audio description and compatibility with assistive technology.
- If you provide video conferencing services or equipment, you may have to add features like voice recognition for people with speech disabilities, simplified interfaces, visual interpretation services, screen-reader support, and braille display compatibility.
- Emergency and relay services will include expanded sign language support, options for direct video calling with call centers, and requirements to send location information to emergency authorities when using video relay or direct video calling.
Expenses#
- The bill raises the appropriation for the national DeafBlind equipment distribution program from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 and directs the FCC to adjust that amount annually for inflation.
- No publicly available information on total expected federal costs, private-sector compliance costs, or savings beyond the program funding change is provided in the bill text or metadata.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states the proponents' arguments or policy statements.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata states opponents' arguments or policy statements.