FCC Seeks Comments on Video Description and Access to Emergency Information

May 1, 2012

The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish the Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee (VPAAC). On April 9, 2012, the VPAAC submitted its second report to the FCC. That report is available online at http://vpaac.wikispaces.com/

On April 24, the FCC released a Public Notice (DA-12-636) seeking comment on two parts of that report:
(1) on video description (120409 VPAAC Video Description REPORT AS SUBMITTED 4-9-2012.pdf); and

(2) on emergency information (120409 VPAAC Access to Emergency Information REPORT AS SUBMITTED 4-9-2012.pdf).

These reports will help the FCC to establish rules that require video programming owners, providers, and distributors to make emergency information accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and rules that require video programming devices, such as televisions and set-top boxes, capable of making video description and accessible emergency information available to viewers.

How should these parts of the VPAAC second report inform the FCC’s rulemakings? Do you agree with the recommendations made in these parts of the VPAAC second report? Why? Are there additional issues that the FCC should consider as it prepares to begin these rulemakings?

For additional information on this proceeding, contact Diana Sokolow, Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, (202) 418-2120.

Public Notice (with instructions on how to file comments or reply comments):
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0425/DA-12-636A1.pdf
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0425/DA-12-636A1.doc
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0425/DA-12-636A1.txt

On April 30, 2012, the deadlines for comments (May 24, 2012) and reply comments (June 8, 2012) were extended to June 4 and June 19, 2012, respectively.

Extended Comment Deadline: June 4, 2012
Extended Reply Comment Deadline: June 19, 2012

News source: Federal Communications Commission (FCC)