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. This legislation would update and strengthen existing accessibility regulations secured through Senator Markey’s CVAA to stay up-to-date with the proliferation of new technologies—from video conferencing platforms to artificial intelligence—which have become prevalent since the CVAA became law in 2010. The CVTA builds upon the success of the CVAA and ensures individuals with disabilities have equal access to mainstream communication platforms and the technology services needed to participate in professional, educational, recreational, and civic spaces. The CVTA bolsters standards for television programming and emergency communication, expands accessibility requirements—including closed captions and audio descriptions—to online platforms and video conferencing services, and equips the federal government with the ability to improve accessibility of emerging technologies. Specifically, the CVTA would:

1. Improve and expand closed captioning and audio description standards for television programming and online video streaming platforms to ensure people with disabilities have equitable access to the wide range of programming available to the general public;
2. Update current requirements to ensure viewers can easily activate and select preferred settings for closed captions and audio description on their video programming devices, such as televisions, smart phones, laptops, and tablets;
3. Improve access to video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities;
4. Ensure people with disabilities have equitable access to 9-1-1 emergency services; and,
5. Empower the Federal Communications Commission to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and augmented or virtual reality platforms.