Clyburn Statement on the Launch of the NDBEDP and the CVAA Rules
NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
445 12th Street, S.W.Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
Washington, D. C. 20554
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
July 3, 2012
Dave Grimaldi, (202) 418-2100
dave.grimaldi@fcc.gov
FCC COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN ON THE LAUNCH OF
THE NATIONAL DEAF-BLIND EQUIPMENT PROGRAM and the VIDEO
DESCRIPTION RULES
Today marks an exciting moment on the path towards ensuring that the 50 millionAmericans who live with disabilities have the same level of access to advanced communications
services that other Americans enjoy. The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
(NDBEDP) will allow entities in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and
the U.S. Virgin Islands to begin to bridge equipment and technology gaps that currently deny
deaf-blind individuals access to communications systems. The NDBEDP stems from the
landmark 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The CVAA set
the course for the Commission to adopt rules, such as the NDBEDP, to work towards providing
access to vital communications services for those who were previously denied. With today’s
launching of the NDBEDP, I am proud that the Commission has acted in a timely manner to
begin to address the communications access challenges faced by deaf-blind individuals. This is
an important moment towards ensuring that individuals who are deaf-blind are able to fully
utilize our nation’s communications systems, and I will continue working towards achieving this
critical goal.
I would also like to acknowledge the implementation of the video description rules that
the FCC adopted in August of last year. All citizens will now be able to reap the benefits of
televised content in an even more complete way, ending a wait that has gone on for far too long.
In providing video description, America’s blind community will not only be able to enjoy the
entertainment that video content providers offer, but they will also be part of the conversations
around it.
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