Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008

To ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet Protocol-based communication and video programming technologies in the 21st Century.

6/19/2008--Introduced.
Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define "disability." Requires that equipment providing IP-enabled voice communication services via a built-in speaker provide an internal means for hearing aid use. Redefines "telecommunications relay services." Requires interconnected VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers and providers of voice communications using an IP-enabled service to contribute to the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Requires, unless it would be an undue burden (significant difficulty or expense), that equipment and services for IP-enabled communication be usable by individuals with disabilities. Requires, if such requirements are an undue burden, that the equipment or service be compatible with existing commonly used devices or specialized customer equipment, unless that requirement would be an undue burden. Establishes an accessible products and services clearinghouse. Declares that the transmission and receipt of text messages are telecommunications services for purposes of access by persons with disabilities. Adds telecommunications and IP-enabled communication services needed by individuals with disabilities to the services supported by Lifeline and Link Up programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms. Makes eligible for universal service support certified programs for the distribution of equipment to make telecommunications and IP-enabled communication service accessible by deaf-blind individuals. Requires seamless text communication among interconnected VoIP services, IP-enabled communication services, and telecommunications services. Requires a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) inquiry and report concerning:
(1) closed captioning decoder and video description capability;
(2) user interfaces; and
(3) video programming guides and menus. Revises provisions concerning any apparatus designed to receive television pictures broadcast simultaneously with sound to require that any apparatus that receives or displays video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound be capable of decoding closed captioning, delivering video description, and conveying emergency information, including Emergency Alert System messages, accessibly to blind or visually-impaired individuals. Requires the FCC video description regulations contained in the Implementation of Video Description of Video Programming, Report and Order to be considered to be in full force and effect and applicable to video programming published after enactment of this Act. Requires identification of methods to convey emergency information accessibly to blind or visually-impaired individuals. Requires that apparatus to receive or display video, including using IP-enabled communication services, allow control by individuals with disabilities and that on-screen menus be accompanied by audio output to enable control by blind or visually impaired individuals. Requires each provider or owner of video programming and each multichannel programming distributor to ensure that video programming information and selection provided by means of a navigational device, guide, or menu is accessible in real-time by individuals with disabilities who are unable to read the visual display.

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Sponsor

• Rep. Edward Markey [D, MA-7]
• and 15 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23]
  • Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
  • Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
  • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8]
  • Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
  • Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]
  • Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [D, NY-4]
  • Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
  • Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
  • Rep. William Pascrell [D, NJ-8]
  • Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9]
  • Rep. Hilda Solis [D, CA-32]
  • Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
  • Rep. John Tierney [D, MA-6]
  • Heather Wilson
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Committees

• House Energy and Commerce

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.6320

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
June 19, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Introduced on Jun 19, 2008.
• Jun 19, 2008: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1292-1293)
• Jun 19, 2008: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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In the News

June 20, 2008 Legislation Brings Hope for People With Disabilities Left Out of ...

Karen Peltz Strauss, of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), said, "HR 6320 is a giant step forward toward bringing the Communication Act's ...

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Source: Trading Markets (press release), CA

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Blog Coverage

December 23, 2008 A visit from Rep. Maffei’s Office

Dean spoke of issues of concern to people who are Deaf, such as the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008 (HR 6320),which would make changes to the Communications Act of 1934, to define “disability”, ...

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Source: The Roving Activist's Blog

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November 11, 2008 Veterans' Day and post election thoughts

Heather Wilson (R-NM) was an original co-sponsor of HR 6320, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act . These are but two examples where Republicans have helped our community. Do I fear another attack on this country? ...

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Source: packerbrat

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November 08, 2008 “We can do this!” Al Gore Addresses Web 2.0 Summit | Tips from the ...

... Bridging the Digital Divide · Is someone is making Al Gore look like a Twit? Highlights of the first two days at Web 2.0 Summit in SF · US: The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008 [H.R. 6320] ...

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