New federal legislation introduced to modernize communication technologies and services for people with disabilities. CSD helps lead coalition efforts to enact the new Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA), championed by Senator Markey and Representative Eshoo.
Austin, Texas
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December 09, 2022 02:57 PM Eastern Standard Time
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) on November 17, 2022. This bill will modernize the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), which was previously spearheaded by Senator Markey with bipartisan support in 2010.
“Since I authored the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, technologies have changed. What hasn’t changed is our obligation to make sure that everyone – including people with disabilities – has equal access to the services and technologies they need to thrive,” said Senator Markey. “That is why I am introducing the Communications, Video, and Accessibility Technology Act, to update current laws on the books so that we can meet the technological moment and ensure opportunity, independence, and equal access for all.”
CSD has provided leadership on the development of the new CVTA bill and will continue to provide support as the proposed legislation makes its way through Congress. Among its many improvements to the CVAA, the bill will update the definition of telecommunications relay services (TRS). A goal is to ensure that funding support is available for direct video calling (DVC), one of the services that CSD provides though its ASL Now program. This is a big step forward to modernizing current laws to ensure that effective telecommunication access is available for all.
“Communication Service for the Deaf, the largest non-profit organization in the US devoted to serving Deaf communities, stands fully behind these amendments to the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The CVAA has gone a long way toward achieving communication equity and digital inclusivity, but must be made contemporaneous if its intended spirit is to be fully realized. The race to introduce new technologies often happens without the disability community’s participation, negatively impacting the quality-of-life for this population,” said Christopher Soukup, CEO, Communication Service for the Deaf. “The Video, Communications, and Technology Accessibility Act will ensure that no one is left behind, effectively close critical gaps in communication and video programming technologies that have occurred over the past 12 years, and enable all Americans with disabilities to benefit equally as new innovations are developed.”
In addition to expanding telephone access under the TRS rules, the CTVA will direct the Federal Communications Commission’s to update its video programming accessibility obligations by requiring closed captioning on most online video programming; adopting rules that facilitate the ability of television viewers to activate, customize, and select preferred settings for closed captioning and audio description, and requiring audio description on most television and online programming.
The CVTA also will push the FCC to ensure all new emerging telecommunications and video programming technologies are subject to appropriate accessibility regulations.
Although the current session of Congress will adjourn at the end of this year, the CVTA is expected to be reintroduced in early 2023 after the next legislative session begins. Updates of the bill’s progress may be viewed here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/5121?s=1&r=3
![[Image Description: Woman sitting at desk communicating in American Sign Language to a man through a video call on her computer screen]](https://public.newsdirect.com/604677099/pSN5kuLS.png)
About Communication Service for the Deaf
Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the world's largest Deaf-led social impact organization. For more than four decades, CSD has been a leader in creating and providing accessible and innovative solutions for the Deaf community. Today, CSD continues its work to create opportunities for personal and economic growth within the Deaf community, explicitly addressing leadership and employment. For more information, please visit CSD and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About ASL Now
Since 2017, ASL Now powered by Connect Direct has been the leading provider of innovative call center solutions for communicating directly with Deaf customers in American Sign Language. Offering cutting-edge customer service through ASL Now decreases customer frustration and opens the door to a new market of loyal clients. This expertise provides an invaluable, time-saving solution for businesses, customers, and representatives. To learn more, visit ASL Now and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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