FCC Order Finds ViaTalk In Violation of FCC Accessibility Rule (Updated)
On August 18, 2021, the FCC found that ViaTalk, LLC, a provider of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, violated the Commission’s accessibility rules by failing to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to product support information that the company provides to its other customers. The Order proposes to require ViaTalk to schedule and conduct a call with the complainant to provide product support information and guidance on restoring the complainant’s service. The Order also proposes to require ViaTalk to make system-wide changes that would improve responsiveness to complaints from individuals with disabilities.
In a separate Citation and Order released on August 18, 2021, the FCC directed ViaTalk to take immediate steps to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to information provided to other customers and to file its 2021 annual compliance certification.
Link to Both Orders:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-takes-action-against-viatalk-accessibility-failures
Links to Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-finds-viatalk-failed-ensure-access-product-information
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-96A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-96A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-96A1.txt
Links to Citation and Order:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/citation-and-order-viatalk-accessibility-failures
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1010A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1010A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1010A1.txt
To learn more about the Commission’s accessibility requirements for telephone service, visit: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-access-people-disabilities. For specific questions, please contact Karen Johnson, Attorney Advisor, Enforcement Bureau, at Karen.Johnson@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).