“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
Comments Due: February 24, 2016
Reply Comments Due: March 7, 2016
On February 5, 2016, the FCC’s Media Bureau released a Public Notice announcing
- Effective date for new rules concerning user interfaces on video programming devices that the Commission adopted in November 2015; and
- Deadlines for comments and reply comments on proposed rules for user display settings for closed captioning.
Effective Date on New User Interface Rules. In 2013, the FCC adopted rules requiring manufacturers and video programming distributors to make the user interfaces on their televisions and set top boxes accessible to people with disabilities. New rules adopted in November 2015 take steps to ensure that viewers know about the existence of these accessible features and devices, and get the support needed to use them. Although some of the new rules will become effective on March 7, 2016, most of the new rules will become effective when approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Proposals for Closed Caption Display. In November 2015, the FCC proposed to require manufacturers and video programming distributors to facilitate access by users to closed captioning display settings (e.g., caption fonts, color, size, etc.). The FCC sought comment on the FCC’s authority to adopt these rules under the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990. The deadlines for comments in this proceeding have now been established and are noted above.
Links to the Second Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration and 2nd FNPRM:
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PDF
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For further information contact Maria Mullarkey of Media Bureau at Maria.Mullarkey@fcc.gov or (202) 418‐1067.