U.S. Congress - H.R.3101 Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009
H.R.3101 - Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009
To ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet Protocol-based communication and video programming technologies in the 21st Century. view all titles (2)
All Bill Titles
- Short: Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 as introduced.
- Official: To ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to emerging Internet Protocol-based communication and video programming technologies in the 21st Century. as introduced.
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Latest Action Jul 27, 2010Received in the Senate. Related Bills (1) & Issues (13) Users Tracking H.R.3101 (16)
6/26/2009--Introduced.Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define: (1) "disability" to have the meaning given the term under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (2) "advanced communication
(1) "disability" to have the meaning given the term under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
(2) "advanced communications" as interconnected VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, non-interconnected VoIP service, electronic messaging, and video conferencing; and
(3) other specified terms. Requires that equipment providing advanced communications via a built-in speaker provide an internal means for hearing aid use. Redefines "telecommunications relay services." Requires interconnected and non-interconnected VoIP providers 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 advanced communications be usable by individuals with disabilities. Requires, if that requirement is an undue burden, that the equipment or service be compatible with existing commonly used peripheral devices or specialized customer equipment, unless that requirement would be an undue burden. Establishes an accessible products and services clearinghouse that is publicly available. Authorizes Lifeline and Link Up programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications that are needed by individuals with disabilities. Defines as eligible for universal service support certified programs that distribute equipment to make telecommunications service, Internet services, and advanced communications accessible by deaf-blind individuals. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires that apparatus that receives or plays back video programming and has a picture screen of any size be capable of decoding closed captioning, transmitting and delivering video description, and conveying emergency information. (Current law:
(1) requires closed caption decoders only for apparatus having a picture screen that is at least 13 inches; and
(2) does not require video description or emergency information conveyance capability.) Requires that apparatus to record video programming retain and pass through closed captions and video descriptions. Ratifies and considers in full force and effect the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) video description regulations contained in a specified Report and Order. Defines, for certain portions of this Act, "video programming" as including programming distributed over the Internet or by other means. Requires video programming owners, providers, and distributors to convey emergency information accessibly to blind or visually-impaired individuals. Requires that apparatus to receive or play back video, including using the Internet, allow control by individuals with disabilities and that on-screen menus be accompanied by integrated or peripheral 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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Official Summary
6/26/2009--Introduced.Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define:(1) "disability" to have the meaning given the term under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
(2) "advanced communications" as interconnected VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, non-interconnected VoIP service, electronic messaging, and video conferencing; and
(3) other specified terms. Requires that equipment providing advanced communications via a built-in speaker provide an internal means for hearing aid use. Redefines "telecommunications relay services." Requires interconnected and non-interconnected VoIP providers 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 advanced communications be usable by individuals with disabilities. Requires, if that requirement is an undue burden, that the equipment or service be compatible with existing commonly used peripheral devices or specialized customer equipment, unless that requirement would be an undue burden. Establishes an accessible products and services clearinghouse that is publicly available. Authorizes Lifeline and Link Up programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications that are needed by individuals with disabilities. Defines as eligible for universal service support certified programs that distribute equipment to make telecommunications service, Internet services, and advanced communications accessible by deaf-blind individuals. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities. Requires that apparatus that receives or plays back video programming and has a picture screen of any size be capable of decoding closed captioning, transmitting and delivering video description, and conveying emergency information. (Current law:
(1) requires closed caption decoders only for apparatus having a picture screen that is at least 13 inches; and
(2) does not require video description or emergency information conveyance capability.) Requires that apparatus to record video programming retain and pass through closed captions and video descriptions. Ratifies and considers in full force and effect the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) video description regulations contained in a specified Report and Order. Defines, for certain portions of this Act, "video programming" as including programming distributed over the Internet or by other means. Requires video programming owners, providers, and distributors to convey emergency information accessibly to blind or visually-impaired individuals. Requires that apparatus to receive or play back video, including using the Internet, allow control by individuals with disabilities and that on-screen menus be accompanied by integrated or peripheral 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.
...Read the Rest
FEED
Recent News Coverage
06/29/09
Rep. Edward Markey Re-Introduces The Twenty-First Century ...
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 -- Late Friday night, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) re-introduced the Twenty-First Century communications and Video Accessibility Act, ...
Source:
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)
06/29/09
Legislation Ensures Inclusion of People With Disabilities in New ...
Karen Peltz Strauss , of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), said, "HR 3101 puts people with disabilities squarely into 21st century communications. ...
Source:
PR Newswire (press release)
06/29/09
Verizon Statement on Introduction of 21st Century Communications ...
... via COMTEX/ ----Representative Edward Markey late Friday (June 26) introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (HR 3101), ...
Source:
FOXBusiness
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Recent Blog Coverage
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View Top Rated
07/28/10
News Update from ALA's Washington Office: 'Topic du jour? Access ...
On Monday, the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, H.R. 3101, with an overwhelming majority ...
Source:
ResourceShelf
07/28/10
JFActivist: Bi-Partisan Support Leads to Passage of H.R. 3101
AAPD Delighted that HR 3101, 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 Passes the House on ADA 20th Anniversary With Bi-Partisan Majority By AAPD Staff Jenifer Simpson, Zoe Levenson, and Ross Valore (7.28.2010): ...
Source:
JFActivist
07/28/10
U.S. House Passage Of Telecommunications Access Act Brings ...
The U.S. House of Representatives' passage of H.R. 3101, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, was a huge bi-partisan(348 to 23) vote of confidence in the commitment of our society to support the right of equal ...
Source:
Hearing Mojo
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