Accessibility for the Disabled

A Stellar Public Servant

A legend is leaving the Federal Communications Commission as the new year begins. Her name is Karen Peltz Strauss. Some of you may not have heard of her, but to the nation’s disabilities communities, she is a hero. She achieved this status the old-fashioned way. She earned it. In over 40 years in Washington, I have been privileged to work with many brilliant public servants. Karen Peltz Strauss is in the top-most tier of these incredibly able people.  Her star shines brightly in the public service firmament. She came to the agency with a goal, she never wavered from that goal, and she achie

Federal Communications Commissioner Gomez Remarks on Proceedings Impacting Consumers at February Meeting

At today’s meeting, I voted on two consumer issues—to ask cable programmers, and television and radio stations for their help to achieve the critical goal of providing timely information about emergencies to the public, in a language they can understand; and to clarify that consumers can opt-out of call or text lists using any reasonable means and may respond in the language in which they received the communication.

FCC Proposes Solution to Expand Multilingual Emergency Alerts

The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules that would make it easier for emergency managers to send emergency alerts in non-English languages to the public over television and radio. The proposal would remove a key barrier to sending multilingual messages through the Emergency Alert System, which could in turn spur more alerts that are accessible to more people—and potentially save lives. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted February 15, the Commission is seeking comment on proposals to:

FCC Seeks Comment on Multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts

The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau seeks comment on specific mechanisms to implement multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Through these measures, the Bureau advances the priority that WEA serve as an effective and accessible life-saving tool for many, including the millions of people living in the United States who do not primarily speak English or Spanish and the estimated one-in-four adults in the United States that have some form of disability who remain at risk for not being able to receive and understand the potentially life-savi

Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

This memorandum provides guidance to help agencies advance digital accessibility by maintaining an accessible Federal technology environment, promoting accessible digital experiences, and continuing the implementation of accessibility standards in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Members of the public and Federal employees should have equitable access to government, regardless of ability. The prevalence of information technology and the growing necessity of it in daily life make digital accessibility a continuing imperative for Federal agencies.

Digital inaccessibility: Blind and low-vision people have powerful technology but still face barriers to the digital world

There are 8 million people with blindness or low vision in the US. More than 4.23 million of them are working age, but only about half of that working-age population are employed. Employment rates for people with blindness or low vision have historically been much lower than for the general population. An overwhelming majority of jobs across all industries require digital skills.

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Tue, 01/30/2024 - 09:00 to 12:00

At this meeting, Disability Advisory Committee members are expected to (i) discuss a working group report and recommendation on the transmittal of audio description files to Internet Protocol programming; (ii) receive updates from the working groups on quality Telecommunications Relay Services for individuals with multiple disabilities, and best practices for the use of artificial intelligence to caption live video programming; and (iii) any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work.  



Federal Communications Commission Proposes 100 Percent of Mobile Phones Be Hearing Aid Compatible

The Federal Communications Commission proposed that 100 percent of wireless handsets—namely mobile phones and smartphones—offered for sale in the United States be fully compatible with hearing aids. The FCC is committed to ensuring that all Americans, including those with hearing loss, are able to access communications services on an equal basis.

Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity

laska’s residents know what adversity looks like when it comes to accessing high-speed internet. The scale of unserved and underserved communities across Alaska is an obstacle to community and economic development, particularly for Tribal and rural communities. With federal resources and strong collaboration with Tribal partners, the nonprofit sector serving Alaska’s most vulnerable communities, and cities and boroughs, the State of Alaska is working toward changing this landscape.

FCC December 2023 Open Meeting Agenda

Here’s what to expect at the Federal Communications Commission's December open meeting.

  • We’re going after junk fees that harm consumers and hamper competition.
  • We’re cracking down on illegal robotexts.
  • We’re making smartphones more accessible to consumers with hearing loss.
  • We’re removing barriers to broadband deployment.
  • We’re improving health care in rural communities.
  • We’re protecting consumer data.
  • We’re protecting local TV programming.
  • We will also consider an item from our Enforcement Bureau.

FCC October 2023 Open Meeting Agenda

While the proposal I made to restore net neutrality will certainly garner the most attention, the Federal Communications Commission's October agenda features many other actions to promote digital equity and support broadband-powered innovation:

Why are Individuals with Disabilities a "Covered Population"?

In 20218 more than 40 million people in the United States were living with a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, even as majorities of these Americans report having certain technologies, the digital divide between those who have a disability and those who do not remains:

Letter Urging Congress to Support Additional Funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program

We write to express our strong support for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and to urge Congress to allocate additional funding to this crucial initiative. By investing in the FCC’s ACP, we can address the existing digital disparities faced by people with disabilities and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

Sponsor: 

Federal Communications Commission

Date: 
Thu, 09/07/2023 - 09:00 to 12:00

At this meeting, DAC members are expected to discuss or receive updates on:

  • a working group report and recommendation on the transmittal of audio description files to Internet Protocol programming;
  • a working group report and recommendation on Direct Video Calling best practices and outreach; and
  • any other topics relevant to the DAC’s work.

The meeting agenda will be posted on this web page as soon as it is available.



Biden-⁠Harris Administration Works to Make it Easier for People with Disabilities to Access Public Services Online

In recognition of the 33rd Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), the Biden-Harris administration is taking new steps to strengthen the ADA and improve online accessibility to state and local services for the nearly 50 million people with disabilities with vision, hearing, cognitive, and manual dexterity disabilities. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is proposing a new rule that would establish accessibility standards for state and local governments’ web and mobile app-based services.

Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo Reintroduce the CVTA to Make Communication Technologies Accessible for Americans with Disabilities

Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), author of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), and Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) reintroduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act.

What Would Digital Inclusion and Equity for the Deaf Look Like?

In the past several years, our society has learned more, faster than ever before. However, the flow of information in our digital world is interrupted by serious accessibility barriers for the deaf community. Navigating the hearing world with few accommodations and limited resources—including broadband and online access to training and professional development—is holding some people back.

FCC Requires Video Conferencing Platforms To Be Accessible And Proposes Platform Integration With Sign-Language Services

The Federal Communications Commission voted to require video conferencing platforms—like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex—to comply with the accessibility requirements under the Communications Act and agency rules that govern interoperable video conferencing services. Video conferencing is routinely used by millions of people for workplace conferences, classes, and conversations with family and friends.

April 2023 Open Meeting Agenda

Here is the agenda for the Federal Communications Commission's April open meeting:

FCC March 2023 Open Meeting Agenda

We are a little under three weeks away from revealing the winners of this year’s Academy Awards, but you don’t have to wait to find out what the Federal Communication Commission has lined up for our Open Meeting just days after the Oscars. Here’s what to expect at our March meeting:

Sen. Fetterman, Recovering After Stroke, Labors to Adjust to Life in the Senate Through Tech

At Senator John Fetterman’s (D-PA) desk in the Senate chamber, there is a newly installed monitor that rises or lowers, depending on whether he sits or stands, and provides closed captioning so he can follow the proceedings. At the center dais, a custom desk stand has been built to accommodate the same technology for when he takes his shifts presiding over the Senate. The sergeant-at-arms has arranged for live audio-to-text transcription for the committees on which Sen. Fetterman serves, and plans to expand the service to all Senate hearings.

FCC Proposes New Rules for Captioned Phone Calls

The Federal Communications Commission approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a new three-year plan for compensation rates for Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS).

FCC Announces Agenda for December 2022 Open Meeting

The Federal Communications Commission announced the agenda for its December 2022 open commission meeting. The FCC will consider:

Sen Markey and Rep Eshoo Introduce the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CTVA)

Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), author of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D- CA-18) introduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA).