Many thanks to Maria Campbell for this information. ALERT!--YOU DID IT! New FCC Rules Will Make TV/TV-Like Devices Accessible! For further information, contact: Mark Richert, Esq. Director, Public Policy, AFB (202) 469-6833 mrich...@afb.net
Dear Advocates: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just announced that it will be publishing final regulations requiring that virtually all TV and TV-like devices must be accessible through audible controls, guides and menus! This action by the FCC is the result of an unprecedented outpouring by the vision loss community demanding greater accessibility. Advocates will recall that there had been attempts by some industry groups to thwart the intent of the historic Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) to revolutionize the television viewing experience for people with disabilities. AFB, along with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) successfully negotiated with leading industry advocates to craft the consensus that the FCC ultimately used to adopt their new rules. Under this consensus, virtually all TV and TV-like devices, inclusive of tablets and smart phones, receiving digital video programming must be accessible through audible controls. The rules do apply a slightly different degree of accessibility requirements on devices that depend on additional equipment, such as a so-called cable card. However, even in such instances, the devices must be accessible but will only be required to be provided upon request. All other devices must be accessible as a matter of course unless the manufacturer can demonstrate that accessibility was not achievable. This rulemaking is the last of the many rulemaking proceedings implementing the CVAA which, along with requirements for described TV programming and accessible advanced communications services such as text messaging and email, will forever change the way people who are blind or visually impaired can fully use and enjoy the most ubiquitous technologies on the market today. Once the final official version of the new rules has been published, there will be more to say about the details. As with all of the FCC's regulations, they will only work to the extent that our community makes use of them through ongoing advocacy. And if history is our guide in this regard, these new rules will be a tremendous success. When our community was called upon to make our voices heard, you were heard in no uncertain terms. Your advocacy made this transformative achievement possible. It will be up to all of us to continue to hold companies accountable for their responsibilities under these new rules to make their video programming devices fully accessible to us. You did it! Congratulations, and thank you! Mark You will find the list archives at: http://accessible-devices.com/pipermail/a-d_accessible-devices.com/ Sorry, but we're not able to provide help for archive users. You may download our podcasts from this link, http://www.accessible-devices.com/Podcasts.html Or if you're using a podcatcher of some type the subscribe URL is. http://www.accessible-devices.com/feed.xml Visit our website at: www.accessible-devices.com To subscribe to Accessible Devices send a blank e mail to: a-d-subscr...@accessible-devices.com Just follow the directions in the confirmation message when it comes. Please Note: Accessible Devices is not able to provide tech support for software or products that we supply information about. _______________________________________________ A-d mailing list a...@accessible-devices.com http://accessible-devices.com/mailman/listinfo/a-d_accessible-devices.com -- "Life is like a piano. White keys are happy moments & Black keys are sad moments. But remember both keys are played together to give sweet music." "Focus on your abilities, not your disability." Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starhoze Skype ID: star.hoze Warm Regards, Hozefa... Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
