“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
Oppositions Due: February 18, 2014
Replies to Oppositions Due: February 25, 2014
On October 29, 2013, the Commission adopted an Order requiring devices used to watch television programs to have something like a button, key, or icon to turn on closed captioning or video descriptions. (The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) directed the Commission to adopt this requirement.)
The Commission’s Order stated, that “a dedicated button, key, or icon; voice commands; gestures; and a single step activation from the same location as the volume controls” would comply with this requirement.
On January 20, 2014, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), along with other groups representing individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University, filed a Petition for Reconsideration. They request the Commission to “reconsider allowing voice commands and gestures . . . for activating the closed captioning or accessibility features” because voice commands may not be accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and gestures may not be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Oppositions to the Petition must be filed by February 18, 2014. Replies to an opposition must be filed by February 25, 2014.
Link to the Petition for Reconsideration: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?
Links to the Public Notice announcing the filing of the Petition for Reconsideration:
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-325255A1.pdf Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-325255A1.doc Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-325255A1.txt
Links to the Public Notice announcing the deadline for oppositions and replies:
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-14-159A1.pdf Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-14-159A1.doc Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-14-159A1.txt
For further information contact Rosaline Crawford, Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau, Disability Rights Office, 202-418-2075, e-mail Rosaline.Crawford@fcc.gov .