Comments due: January 24, 2022
Reply comments due: February 8, 2022
On December 23, 2021, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on a petition filed by Peloton Interactive, Inc. (Peloton), requesting a limited waiver of the FCC’s rules requiring the accessibility of user interfaces on covered digital apparatus. Peloton requests an 18-month waiver of the requirement to implement certain accessibility features for its Internet-connected fitness equipment.
Pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), the FCC adopted rules requiring that manufacturers of televisions, set-top boxes, and other devices used to view video programming be designed, developed, and fabricated so that control of built-in functions used for the reception, play-back, and display of video programming included in the apparatus are accessible and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, if achievable. Manufacturers of covered devices are responsible for compliance with the rules. The FCC set a deadline of December 20, 2021 for manufacturers of display only-monitors and devices primarily designed for purposes other than displaying video programming to comply with these requirements. Peloton requests an 18-month waiver of these requirements – from December 20, 2021 to June 20, 2023.
Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference MB Docket No. 12-108 and GN Docket No. 21-140. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.
Public Notice:
URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/mb-seeks-comment-pelotons-accessible-ui-waiver-petition
Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1639A1.docx
PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1639A1.pdf
Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-1639A1.txt
Peloton’s Petition:
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1221276597367/2021.12.20%20-%20Peloton%20FCC%20Petition%20for%20Waiver%20(Final).pdf
Information on the CVAA’s requirements for accessible user interfaces on covered equipment is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/television-and-set-top-box-controls-menus-program-guides. For further information, contact William Wallace, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-2716, or William.Wallace@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).