Access to Emergency Information on Television

Rules and Guides

• Rules
  • CFR Rules: Accessibility of Programming Providing Emergency Information - 47 CFR § 79.2.
• FCC Consumer Guide
  • Accessibility to Emergency Information on Television.
• Small Entity Compliance Guide
  • Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description.

Events

• October 6, 2022, Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Emergency Information.

Orders, Public Notices, Notices and Press Releases

11-26-24 FCC Seeks Comment on Petition for Rulemaking and to Extend Waiver of Accessible Emergency Information Requirement (DA 24-1184)
Public Notice: Word||PDF

6-28-24 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 24-629)
Public Notice: Word||PDF

7-21-23 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 23-625)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

5-30-23 FCC Extends Waiver of Emergency Information Accessibility Requirements (DA 23-451)
Order: Word || PDF

4-12-23 FCC Seeks Comment on Petition to Extend Waiver of Accessible Emergency Information Requirement (DA 23-308)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-27-22 FCC Announces October 6 Forum on the Accessibility of Emergency Information on Television (DA 22-1010)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-9-22 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 22-839)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

6-30-21 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 21-773)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

5-18-21 FCC Extends Comment Periods for CVAA Accessibility Updates (DA 21-589)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

4-7-21 FCC Seeks Comment on Fulfillment of the CVAA (DA 21-405)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

8-10-20 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 20-855)
Pubic Notice:  Word || PDF

8-30-19 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 19-855)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

7-24-19 FCC and FEMA Announce Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System on August 7, 2019 (DOC-358666)
News Release: Word || PDF

7-17-19 FCC Reminds Emergency Alert System Participants About Accessibility Requirements (DA-19-648)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

7-1-19 FCC Reminds Emergency Alert System Participants and the Public About a Nationwide Test on August 7, 2019 (DA-19-612)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

6-3-19 FCC Announces Test of the Emergency Alert System on August 7, 2019 (DA-19-505)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-17-18 Nationwide Emergency Alert Tests Rescheduled for October 3, 2018 (DA-18-955)
Public Notice: PDF

8-30-18 FCC Issues Reminder to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA-18-902)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-28-18 FCC Reminds Public about Emergency Alert Tests on September 20, 2018 (DA 18-880)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

5-25-18 FCC Grants Waivers of Certain Accessibility Requirements for Emergency Information on Television (DA 18-553)
Order:  Word || PDF

3-27-18 FCC Invites Comment on Joint Petition for Extension of Waiver of Accessible Emergency Information Requirements (DA 18-298)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

3-13-18 FCC Invites Comment for Petition for Waiver of Accessible Emergency Information Requirements (DA 18-246)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

12-08-17 FCC Seeking Comment on Effective Communications During 2017 Hurricane Season (DA-17-1180)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-28-17 Reminder Regarding Obligations to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers with Disabilities (DA 17-943)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-6-17 FCC Announces Planned Test of the Emergency Alert System on September 27, 2017 (DA 17-767)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

6-8-17 FCC Reminds Public about New Requirement to Pass Through Emergency Information on the Secondary Audio Stream (DA 17-560)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-16-16 Granted a joint request by the American Council of the Blind, the American Federation of the Blind, and NAB to extend by 18 months an existing waiver of the requirement for broadcasters to aurally describe non-textual emergency information (DA 16-1284)
Memorandum Opinion and Order: Word || PDF

10-5-16 Media Bureau Seeks Comment on Joint Petition for Extension of Waiver of Accessible Emergency Information Requirements of American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, and National Association of Broadcasters (DA 16-1137)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

9-30-16 Reminder of Video Programming Distributors' Obligations to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible to Viewers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired, and Recommendations to Improve Access for Viewers with Cognitive Disabilities (DA 16-1116)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

11-25-15 Reminder of Video Programming Distributors' Obligations to Make Televised Emergency Information Accessible for People with Disabilities; Compliance Deadline Announced for New Provisions (DA 15-1366)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

7-10-15 Notice of Effective Date of Second Accessible Emergency Information Order and Announcement of Comment Deadlines for Accompanying Second Further Notice MB Docket No. 12-107 (DA 15-807)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

5-28-15 FCC Takes Additional Steps to Make Emergency Information in TV Programming Accessible to Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Action by: The Commission. Adopted 5/21/15 by Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking  MB Docket No. 12-107 (FCC 15-56)
Erratum: Word || PDF
Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
Word || PDF
News Release: Word || PDF
Chairman Wheeler Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Rosenworcel Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Pai Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner O'Rielly Statement: Word || PDF

5-26-15 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. Action by: Chief, Media Bureau. Adopted: 5/26/15 by Memorandum Opinion and Order.  MB Docket Nos. 12-107 and 11-43 (DA 15-632)
Erratum: Word || PDF
Memorandum Opinion and Order: Word || PDF

3-30-15 Comment Deadlines Established for National Association of Broadcasters Petition for Waiver of New Accessible Emergency Information Requirements, MB Docket Nos. 12-107 and 11-43 (DA 15-394)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

3-19-15 Comment Deadlines Established for American Cable Association Petition for Waiver of New Accessible Emergency Information Requirements. MB Docket Nos. 12-107 and 11-43 (DA 15-357)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-10-14 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors' Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired (DA 14-1312)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-25-13 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors' Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and/or Blind or Visually Impaired (DA 13-1983)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

4-9-13 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. MB Docket No. 11-43 12-107. Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 04/08/2013 by R&O/NPRM (FCC No. 13-45)
Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Rosenworcel Statement: Word || PDF
Commissioner Ajit Pai Statement: Word || PDF

11-28-12 Media Bureau Announces Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Accessible Emergency Information and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description. MB Docket No. 12-107 (DA 12-1908)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-19-12 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. MB Docket No. 12-107 (FCC 12-142)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

8-28-12 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors' Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Visual Disabilities (DA 12-1408)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

3-16-12 Enforcement Bureau Granted in part and dismissed as moot in part, Channel 51 of San Diego, Inc.'s Application for Review (DA 12-237)
Order: Word || PDF

6-17-11 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors’ Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 11-1070)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

6-22-10 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors' Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 10-1107)
Public Notice: Word | PDF

9-3-09 Reminder Regarding Video Programming Distributors Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 09-2014)
Public Notice: Word | PDF

09-17-08 Channel 51 of San Diego, Inc., Licensee of KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA. (DA 08-2107)
Forfeiture Order: Word || PDF

03-07-07 Midwest Television, Inc. (Licensee of KFMB-TV) (DA 07-965)
Order: Word || PDF

03-07-07 Order adopting Consent Decree entered into between the Enforcement Bureau, Waterman Broadcasting Corp. of Florida, Inc. ("Waterman") and Montclair Communications, Inc. ("Montclair") (DA 07-914)
Order adopting Consent Decree: Word || PDF

02-05-07 Order adopting Consent Decree entered into between the Enforcement Bureau, and Fort Myers Broadcasting Company (DA 07-507)
Order adopting Consent Decree: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

12-29-06 Obligation of Video Programming Distributors to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing Disabilities Using Closed Captioning (DA 06-2627)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-17-06 Fox Television Stations, Inc. Adopted Consent Decree entered into between the Enforcement Bureau and Fox Television Stations, Inc. regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (DA 06-2052)
Order: Word || PDF

08-07-06 Clarification of Obligation of Video Programming Distributors to make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing Disabilities Using Closed Captioning (DA 06-1600)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

07-20-06 Public Notice reminding video programming distributors - including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services - of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and vision disabilities (DA 06-1483)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

02-22-06 NBC Telemundo License Co., Licensee of WRC-TV, Washington, DC. Adopted a Consent Decree Between the Enforcement Bureau and NBC Telemundo License Co. by Consent Decree (DA 06-358)
Order: Word || PDF

09-09-05 Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Need to Make Emergency Information Regarding Hurricane Katrina Evacuation and Relief Efforts Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 05-2438)
Public Notice DA 05-2438: Word || PDF

08-09-05 Proposed Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NALF) in the amount of $24,000 against Waterman Broadcasting Corp. and Montclair Communications, Inc. for failure to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities. Action by: Acting Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 8-8-2005 by NALF (DA 05-2258)
NALF: Word || PDF

05-27-05 Proposed Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NALF) in the amount of $8,000 against ACC Licensee, Inc., licensee of WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (DA 05-1511)
NALF: Word || PDF

Proposed Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NALF) in the amount of $16,000 against NBC Telemundo License Co., licensee of WRC-TV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (DA 05-1512)
NALF: Word || PDF

Proposed Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NALF) in the amount of $16,000 against FOX Television Stations, Inc., licensee of WTTG-TV, Washington, D.C., regarding making emergency information accessible to persons with hearing disabilities (DA 05-1513)
NALF: Word || PDF

03-17-05 Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 05-688)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

02-23-05 Three Proposed Forfeitures For Violation of Commission Closed Captioning Rules
NAL. DA 05-455: Word || PDF
NAL. DA 05-456: Word || PDF
NAL. DA 05-457: Word || PDF
Powell Statement: Word || PDF

05-28-04 Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 04-1595)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

07-18-03 The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons with Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 03-2361)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

07-31-02 Reminder to Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing or Vision Disabilities (DA 02-1852)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-31-01 Reminding Video Programming Distributors of Obligation to Make Emergency Information Accessible to Persons With Hearing Disabilities (DA 01-1930)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

08-31-00 Accessibility of Emergency Programming Rule Requiring OMB Approval Effective As of August 29, 2000 (DA 00-1996)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

04-14-00 FCC Orders Increased Accessibility of Video Programming to Viewers with Hearing Disabilities Adopted April 13, 2000 (FCC 00-136)
News Release: Word|| PDF
Order: Word

01-14-98 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Emergency Information. Adopted January 9, 1998. MM Docket No. 95-176 (FCC 98-3)
FNPRM: Word || PDF