At its open meeting this month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received a status report on the implementation of broad disabilities access obligations passed three years ago. In the presentation, FCC staff members reported that the Commission met all of the implementation deadlines in the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), and reminded service providers and equipment manufacturers of the upcoming deadlines for compliance with the Act.
The FCC’s new disabilities access rules apply potentially significant new obligations to a variety of entities that may not otherwise consider themselves subject to the FCC’s jurisdiction. These rules are being implemented in stages, with many obligations taking full effect in the next six months. Providers of advanced communications services and equipment manufacturers should review these obligations carefully to ensure that their services and equipment are compliant with the new requirements.