FCC Report Shows TV Accessibility Complaints Continue to Climb

On August 13, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued its first quarter 2010 Consumer Complaints Report. Among the general complaints, the quarterly report shows some disability-related consumer complaints/inquiries regarding video description, closed captioning, and emergency access to video programming.

Complaints about hearing aid compatibility, accessible phones and services (Secs. 255 and 251), relay services and other disability requirements are not included in this report. COAT notes -- not for the first time-- that the FCC reporting about disability complaints/inquiries does not state any trends, outcomes or resolutions of these television complaints, or if further investigatory steps were taken. Hopefully, the new reporting requirements in S.3304, once enacted, will stimulate the FCC's Enforcement Bureau to more action.