FCC Establishes Schedule for Ex Parte Meetings Regarding Accessible Emergency Information and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description

On November 19, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (the “NPRM”). Pursuant to certain provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (“CVAA”), the FCC seeks comment in the NPRM on proposals to make televised emergency information more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and to ensure that television apparatus are able to make available video description and accessible emergency information. Comments are due on December 18, 2012, and reply comments are due on January 7, 2013. Specific filing instructions are detailed in the NPRM.

As described in the NPRM, this matter shall be treated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the FCC’s ex parte rules. Given the April 9, 2013 statutory deadline for completing the emergency information proceeding, we have determined it would be more efficient for FCC staff to set aside a few days for ex parte meetings. Staff from the Media Bureau’s Policy Division, as well as staff from the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, will be available for meetings with interested parties to discuss issues raised in comments and reply comments on January 14, 16 and 17, 2013.