2020 Biennial Report To Congress As Required By The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

The Report assesses industry compliance over the past two years with sections 255, 716, and 718 of the Communications Act of 1934. These sections require telecommunications and advanced communications services and equipment, and Internet browsers built into mobile phones (collectively, covered products and services) to be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The Report also addresses accessibility barriers to new communications technologies, and the effect of the accessibility-related recordkeeping and enforcement requirements under section 717 on the development and deployment of such technologies. Finally, the Report provides information about the number and nature of, and actions taken to resolve, complaints alleging violations of sections 255, 716, and 718 for the period of January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, including the length of time that the Federal Communications Commission took to resolve such complaints, and the number, status, nature, and outcome of any actions for mandamus filed, and of any appeals filed, pertaining to such complaints.

The FCC finds that over the last two years, the record demonstrates significant additional improvements in these areas. It bases this finding on the following: (1) smartphones continue to innovate and incorporate features that enable improved access to telecommunications and advanced communications services; (2) speech-to-text and text-to-speech technology, voice assistants, and screen readers continue to advance; and (3) newer devices such as smart speakers and enhanced compatibility between assistive technologies and advanced communications equipment enable more people with disabilities to communicate. Nonetheless, the record also indicates that accessibility gaps continue to exist with respect to (1) the availability of accessible mobile phones with low-end features, functions, and prices for people who are blind and (2) certain apps that provide telecommunications and advanced communications services that are not readable by screen readers. Further, we find no record evidence that the enforcement and recordkeeping obligations of Section 717 of the CVAA have impeded the development or deployment of new communications technologies.