FCC Seeks Input on Tentative Findings on Accessibility, Other Issues in CVAA Report
The FCC sought comment by Sept. 7 on tentative findings in a biennial report to Congress on the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) of 2010. Comments will assist assessments of "(1) the level of compliance with the…
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CVAA’s mandates requiring telecommunications and advanced communications services (ACS) and equipment to be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities; (2) the effect of related recordkeeping and enforcement obligations; and (3) the extent to which accessibility barriers still exist with respect to new communications technologies," said a Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau public notice in Wednesday's Daily Digest. The PN said the final report will be submitted to Congress Oct. 8. The bureau tentatively found little to no progress since the 2014 report on increasing the number of non-smartphone telecom devices that are accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired, and said solutions are needed to make interconnected VoIP equipment accessible to that community. But it said there appear to be more smartphones accessible to people with disabilities, and CGB expects telecom accessibility for those who are deaf and hard of hearing to be enhanced by the deployment of real-time text, HD voice, and increasing numbers of hearing-aid compatible wireless handsets. Previous comments also point to increasing access to ACS features and functions on smartphones and other devices among people with disabilities, said the PN, which suggested mobile phone internet browser accessibility had improved for blind and visually impaired individuals.