Comments Due: February 3, 2025
Reply Comments Due: March 3, 2025
In a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted September 27, 2024, the FCC modified its rules and sought comment on further changes to improve access to video conferencing for people with disabilities.
On January 2, 2025, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing January 13, 2025 as the effective date for the amended rules. Based on this effective date, January 12, 2027 is the date for compliance with amended rule sections that require video conferencing services to include captioning; access to sign language interpreters; and user interface controls that allow users to adjust the display of captions, speakers, signers, and other features for which user control is necessary for accessibility.
The Public Notice also announced the due dates for comments and reply comments in response to the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further Notice). The Further Notice seeks comment on whether additional performance objectives should be added for video conferencing services, including:
- text-to-speech and speech-to-speech functionality;
- automatic sign language interpretation;
- audio description and other functionality for participants who are blind or have low vision; and
- functionality needed by people with cognitive or mobility disabilities.
The Further Notice would also seek comment on additional amendments to the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) rules to support team interpreting for Video Relay Service communication assistants and facilitate the use of Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service and other forms of TRS in video conferences.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 10-213, 03-123, and 23-161. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Link to the Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-rules-improve-access-video-conferencing-services-0
Link to the Public Notice:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/video-conferencing-accessibility-dates
General information about interoperable video conferencing services and other advanced communications services (ACS) is available at: www.fcc.gov/acs. For specific questions regarding ACS, contact Ike Ofobike, Disability Rights Office (DRO), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), 202-418-1028, or Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. General information about TRS is available at: www.fcc.gov/trs. For specific questions regarding TRS, contact Bill Wallace, DRO/CGB, 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432‐2275.