Corrected AccessInfo Notice re: FCC Seeks Comments on User Interfaces, and Video Programming Guides and Menus

“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”

Corrected Links for the Public Notice and Order Below

Extended Comment Deadline: June 4, 2012

Extended Reply Comment Deadline: June 19, 2012

The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee (VPAAC). On April 9, 2012, the VPAAC submitted its second report to the FCC. That report is available online at http://vpaac.wikispaces.com/.

On April 24, the FCC released a Public Notice (DA-12-635) seeking comment on one part of that report: on user interfaces, video programming guides, and menus (120409 VPAAC User Interfaces and Video Programming Guides and Menus REPORT AS SUBMITTED 4-9-2012.pdf

This report will help the FCC to establish rules

(i) to make user controls on video programming apparatus (digital apparatus designed to receive or play back video programming, including programming transmitted using Internet protocol), accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired;

(ii) to ensure that on-screen text menus or other visual indicators built into video programming apparatus are accompanied by audio output so they are accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired;

(iii) to make on-screen menus and programming guides provided by navigation devices (set-top boxes) audibly accessible by individuals who are blind or visually impaired; and

(iv) to require video programming apparatus and navigation devices to have a mechanism that is reasonably comparable to a button, key, or icon designated for activating the closed captioning, video description, or accessibility features.

How should this part of the VPAAC second report inform the FCC’s rulemaking? Do you agree with the recommendations made in this part of the VPAAC second report? Why? Are there additional issues that the FCC should consider as it prepares to begin this rulemaking?

For additional information on this proceeding, contact Brendan Murray, Brendan.Murray@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, (202) 418-2120.

Public Notice (with instructions on how to file comments or reply comments):

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0424/DA-12-635A1.pdf

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0424/DA-12-635A1.doc

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0424/DA-12-635A1.txt

On April 30, 2012, the deadlines for comments (May 24, 2012) and reply comments (June 8, 2012) were extended to June

4 and June 19, 2012, respectively.

Order (extending comment and reply comment deadlines):

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0430/DA-12-682A1.pdf