FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for May 2015 Open Meeting

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the following items are tentatively on the agenda for May's Open Commission Meeting schedule for Thursday, May 21, 2015:

Accessible Emergency Information: The FCC is expected to consider a proposal to extend accessibility rules for emergency alerts to "second screens," including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and similar devices. The Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would take additional steps to make emergency information in video programming accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Extend and Make Permanent 'iCanConnect' Program: The FCC is expected to consider an Order to extend the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program and consider a Proposed Rulemaking to permanently extend the program. The program provides up to $10 million annually from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund to support programs that distribute communications equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind.