Dems Debut Bill Updating Tech Accessibility Requirements For Streaming, AI, And Video Conferencing
After the midterm elections, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate introduced legislation aimed at ensuring that new technologies keep up with the needs of people with disabilities. The effort drew widespread praise from groups such as the Blind Veterans Association and the Communication Service for the Deaf, and lawmakers quickly pushed for a breakout session.
The Communications, Video and Technology Accessibility Act , or CVTA, would amend key parts of existing federal accessibility law, requiring, among other things, improved and expanded captioning and audio description standards for online broadcasting platforms (other than television). ), - said the author. The requirements will also be updated to make translations and audio descriptions more accessible.
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The bill, which he co-authored with Sen. Edward Markey, would help expand access to video software for deaf and sign language users and, the authors said, would allow the FCC to "ensure that accessibility rules are consistent with emerging technologies, including platform. artificial intelligence and augmented reality. or default'.
“Due to rapid technological progress over the past two decades, much of our economy and daily life has moved online. Unfortunately, accessibility standards have remained the same for far too many, leaving people with disabilities behind."
Over the past year, more than two-thirds of people who are blind or have low vision have reported problems with the technology they need for work, according to Esho. He said about 70 percent of deaf or hard-of-hearing students report similar problems in educational settings.
Senator Markey, who co-authored the current federal law known as the 21st Century Video and Communications Access Act (CVAA) , said technology has changed a lot since the CVAA was passed. "What hasn't changed is our commitment to ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, has equal access to the services and technology they need to thrive," he said.
Meanwhile, the new CVTA was announced with the approval of FCC Chair Jessica Rosenville, who said in a statement:
"Accessibility means equal opportunity to create, participate in, and connect to accessible technology, and that's a key part of our agency's mission. To do that effectively, we need to keep up with technology. This legislation will help us do just that by ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to the communication products and services they need to participate equally in today's world, laying the foundation for the accessible technologies of tomorrow."
Eric Bridges, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, said the CVAA "lays the foundation for accessible technology and inclusive media for the blind, visually impaired and deaf," and this update will ensure the survival of essential communication technologies. . accessible and "reaffirming our country's commitment to access to media and video content, no matter how or where it is viewed."
"This update to the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act takes into account the speed at which technology is changing," added Barbara Kelly, executive director of the Hearing Impaired Association of America (HLAA). The CVTA states: "This will ensure that people have access to a video conferencing platform with built-in accessibility features, such as a closed captioning feature, which will allow people with hearing impairments to be an integral part of the conversation."
"This is real progress," Kelly said.
Several other accessibility-focused groups supported the bill, including the National Federation of the Blind, the Conference of Leaders on Civil and Human Rights, the American Foundation for the Blind and the United Spine Association.
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