“This page is a digitally archived AccessInfo Announcement”
Comment Date: July 7, 2017
Reply Comment Date: July 18, 2017
On June 20, 2017, the FCC released a Public Notice requesting comment on a petition filed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (Chrysler). Chrysler is requesting a waiver of the accessibility requirements for “rear entertainment systems” on 7,176 Dodge Journey vehicles. A total of 4,440 of these vehicles have been sold prior to discovery of a missing audio file that makes video functions on the device audibly accessible. Although they are requesting a waiver, Chrysler vows to notify the 4,440 owners of the non-compliant vehicles and plans to install the requisite file on every vehicle that returns to the dealership free of charge. With respect to the 2,376 unsold vehicles, the company has instructed dealers to update the requisite file on all of these vehicles before delivering them to customers.
These accessibility requirements apply to devices that receive or play back video programming, such as rear entertainment systems, that are manufactured on or after December 20, 2016. For example, on-screen text menus or other visual indicators used for the play back or display of video programming must be audibly accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, if achievable. Also, devices with built‐in closed captioning or video description capability must include a simple and easy-to-use activation method for those features.
Comments may be filed by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings and inserting the docket number MB Docket No. 12-108.
Public Notice:
Word: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-597A1.docx
PDF: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-597A1.pdf
Text: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-597A1.txt
Link to Chrysler's petition for a waiver: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1061679572888/FCA%20Waiver%20and%20Exhibit%20-%20as%20filed%206-16-17.pdf
For more information, contact Maria Mullarkey, Media Bureau, Policy Division, at Maria.Mullarkey@fcc.gov or 202-418‐2120. For those using videophones and fluent in American Sign Language, you may call the ASL Consumer Support Line at 844‐432‐2275.