At its July 18, 2024 Open Meeting, the FCC adopted a Third Report and Order requiring manufacturers of covered apparatus and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to make closed captioning display settings readily accessible to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Order gives manufacturers and MVPDs the flexibility to decide how they will meet the “readily accessible” standard.
The Order clarifies that the FCC will evaluate accessibility of captioning display settings by evaluating the following factors:
- proximity,
- discoverability,
- previewability, and
- consistency and persistence
On January 15, 2025, the Media Bureau released a Public Notice announcing that compliance with the “readily accessible” standard will be required no later than August 17, 2026.
Link to the Public Notice
https://www.fcc.gov/document/mb-announces-compliance-date-caption-display-settings-requirements
Link to the Third Report and Order:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-improve-accessibility-closed-captioning-settings
For more information about captioning display settings, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/display-closed-captioning-equipment. For specific questions about this Report and Order, contact Diana Sokolow, Media Bureau, Policy Division, at (202) 418-0588, or via e-mail at Diana.Sokolow@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 (videophone).