The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) Larry Goldberg, Director WGBH National Center for Accessibility (NCAM)

Brief history of the CVAA  Video description mandate overturned (2002)  Consumer activism grows ( )  Bill introduced, fails (2008)  Cong. Ed Markey spearheads new effort ( )  COAT (Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology) formed – takes off!  Grassroots and orgs bring industry to the table  ADA 20 th anniversary majordriver  Negotiations proceed ( )  Win some, lose some  Bill passes House (bi-partisan vote) (July 2010)  Bill passes Senate by unanimous consent (Aug. 2010)  Pres. signs bill at White House ceremony (Oct. 2010) 2 © 2010 WGBH

Provisions of the CVAA Title I - Communications Access (1)  Advanced communications services and products — Interconnected and non-interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service — Electronic messaging service — Interoperable video conferencing service — Text messaging, , instant messaging, and video communications  Web browsers on mobile devices  Enhanced recordkeeping, complaint and enforcement procedures  FCC clearinghouse on accessible communications services and equipment [more] 3 © 2010 WGBH

Provisions of the CVAA Title I - Communications Access (2)  Hearing aid compatibility  Telecommunications relay services (TRS) for deaf-blind  Communication between and among different types of relay users  VoIP service providers to contribute to Interstate TRS Fund  $10 million per year for distribution of equipment to low- income people who are deaf-blind  Access to next generation 9 ‑ 1 ‑ 1 services (N911)  Establishes Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) 4 © 2010 WGBH

Provisions of the CVAA Title II – Video Programming (1)  Restores video description rules (NPRM open now for comments: )  Captions for web-based video (“previously captioned for TV”)  Access to on-screen emergency information  Pass-through requirements for all devices (CC and DX)  Carriage of access data via interconnection mechanisms (the HDMI problem)  User interface and guide accessibility  Easy access controls for CC, DX  Establishes Video Programming Access Advisory Committee (VPAAC) 5 © 2010 WGBH

Contact me Larry Goldberg, Director The Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH (NCAM) One Guest Street Boston, MA (voice/fax) (TTY) ncam.wgbh.org 6 © 2010 WGBH