To allow Americans with disabilities to experience the benefits of broadband, hardware, software, services and digital content must be accessible and assistive technologies must be affordable.
Accessibility for the Disabled
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.
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: