FCC IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO ACCESSIBILITY ACT Pub. L FCC Agenda Meeting November 30, 2010

Disability protections enacted by Congress and implemented by the FCC during the 1980s and 1990s have not kept pace with emerging technologies –Focus was on telecom products and services –Applied to legacy analog technologies New Act addresses accessibility challenges of 21 st century technologies –Broadband, digital, and mobile innovations Historic Role for the Commission

Implementation of the National Broadband Plan Recommendation 9.10 – Congress and the FCC “should modernize accessibility laws” –36 million Americans with disabilities with hearing loss –25 million Americans with disabilities with significant vision loss 42% of Americans with disabilities have broadband at home, compared with national average of 65% Non-adoption in large part due to physical barriers

Advances Core Goals: –Addresses Consumer Needs: Enables access to 21 st Century technologies needed for employment, education, civic participation –Promotes Innovation: Encourages industries to innovate for accessibility; allows industry flexibility –Encourages Competition: Promotes competition to win disability market share Promotes accessibility during design stages Fills accessibility gaps in current laws Accessibility has benefits for all consumers The Act Fulfills Commission Goals

Title I – Communications Access Requires access to advanced telecommunications (all VoIP, electronic messaging, interoperable video conferencing) Requires accessible Internet browsers on mobile devices Applies hearing aid compatibility mandates to advanced communication devices Updates relay service definition and requires VoIP contributions to support these services Authorizes funding support for national deaf-blind equipment distribution program Authorizes rules for reliable and interoperable access to Next Generation (NG) emergency services

Title I – Communications Access Requires creation of FCC Accessibility Clearinghouse Requires outreach on Accessibility Clearinghouse Requires improved complaint procedures for consumers and tightened deadlines for complaint resolution Requires biennial reporting to Congress by FCC Requires 5 year report to Congress by the Comptroller General

Title II- Video Programming - Content Reinstates and updates FCC’s video description rules from year 2000 Requires closed captioning to be carried on Internet programs that have already been shown on television with captions Requires accessible emergency video programming for people who are blind

Title II- Video Programming - Devices Requires, if achievable, the pass through/rendering of closed captions, video description, and accessible emergency information on video devices, including recording devices and via digital video interconnection mechanisms Requires accessible user interfaces (controls) on video devices for people who are blind or visually impaired Requires easier access to closed captioning functions through a button, key or icon Requires audibly accessible programming selection in real-time when using on-screen guides and text menus provided by navigation devices

Implementation Has Begun! August 5, 2010; October 12, 2010 – NPRM and PN on hearing aid compatibility October 19, 2010 – PNs seeking nominations for VPEAAC/EAAC – First meetings scheduled: –Video Programming and Emergency Access Advisory Committee (VPEAAC) –Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) October 21, 2010 – PN on advanced communications November 3, 2010 –PN on national deaf-blind equipment distribution program

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Statutory Implementation Timeline