"This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement"
At the Commission’s Open Meeting on September 26, 2024, the FCC will consider a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to ensure the accessibility of interoperable video conferencing services (IVCS) for people with disabilities.
If adopted, the Second Report and Order would establish IVCS-specific performance objectives stating that IVCS services, equipment, and software shall provide accurate and synchronous captions; enable connection to third-party captioning and sign language interpretation services; and allow IVCS users to independently activate and adjust the display of captions, speakers, and signers and other features for which user control is necessary for accessibility.
The Second Report and Order also would affirm that the Interstate TRS Fund supports the provision of Video Relay Service (VRS) and other Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) when integrated with a video conference. Additionally, the Second Report and Order would amend the TRS rules to facilitate the provision of TRS with video conferencing.
The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (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 TRS rules to support team interpreting for VRS CAs and facilitate the use of IP CTS and other forms of TRS in video conferences.
Link to News Release:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-vote-improving-access-video-conferencing-services
Link to Draft Second Report and Order and Further Notice
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/improving-access-video-conferencing-services
The September 2024 Open Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 am ET on September 26, 2024, and will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E., Washington, D.C 20554. The FCC meeting is also streamed live with open captioning at www.fcc.gov/live. Open captioning and sign language interpreting will be provided for this meeting. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. In your request, please include a description of the needed accommodation and how you may be reached if we need more information. E-mail your request to fcc504@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-0530.
More information about interoperable video conferencing services and other advanced communications services is available at www.fcc.gov/acs, and about telecommunication relay services at www.fcc.gov/trs. For further information regarding ACS, contact Ike Ofobike, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 202-418-1028, or Ike.Ofobike@fcc.gov. For further information on TRS, contact Bill Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at 844-432-2275 (videophone).