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Oct
06
2022

Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Emergency Information

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Online Only

The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Media Bureau co-hosted this virtual event, the Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Emergency Information, on Oct. 6, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET.

The Commission's rules define "emergency information" as information "about a current emergency, that is intended to further the protection of life, health, safety, and property, i.e., critical details regarding the emergency and how to respond to the emergency." To ensure that individuals with disabilities can avail themselves of emergency information, the rules contain requirements governing the accessibility of televised emergency information. When emergency situations such as wildfires or hurricanes occur, it is critical that viewers with disabilities are able to access emergency information.

The Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Emergency Information explored the current state of emergency information in video programming, as well as advancements that may occur in the future. The forum included two panels that featured speakers representing television companies and consumer groups. Please see the Public Notice for the full agenda.

This was a public event and was streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live and the FCC's YouTube channel. We encouraged the public and interested stakeholders to engage in this discussion by sending questions during the event to livequestions@fcc.gov. Commission staff will enter information about the panels -- including all relevant public notices, the agenda, and a link to a video recording of the event -- into the public record for this proceeding.

Related material:

Emergency Information on Television

Agenda

Time Slot
1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Description

Introduction

  • Alejandro Roark, Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Agenda Introduction

  • Diane Burstein, Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Overview of Relevant FCC Rules

  • Suzy Rosen Singleton, Chief, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Presenter(s)
Time Slot
1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Description

PANEL A – Current State of Accessibility of Emergency Information

Opening Remarks and Panel Moderator

  • Bill Wallace, Attorney Advisor, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Panelists

  • Lise Hamlin, Director of Public Policy, Hearing Loss Association of America
  • Anil Lewis, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, National Federation of the Blind
  • Josh Pila, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Gray Television
  • Pat Stahl, Vice President of Technology, ABC Owned Stations
Presenter(s)
Time Slot
2:00 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.
Description

Break

Presenter(s)
Time Slot
2:05 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Description

PANEL B – Anticipated Future Advancements in Emergency Information

Opening Remarks and Panel Moderator

  • Diana Sokolow, Attorney Advisor, Policy Division, Media Bureau

Panelists

  • Kim Charlson, Executive Director, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, Perkins School for the Blind
  • Kelly T. Williams, Vice President, Engineering and Technology Policy, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Javier J. Garcia, Senior Vice President, Local Media Engineering, Televisa Univision
Presenter(s)
Time Slot
2:50 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Description

Closing Remarks

  • Diane Burstein, Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Presenter(s)

Contact

Diana Sokolow
Media Bureau, Policy Division
202-418-0588

 

Bill Wallace
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Disability Rights Office
202-418-2716