The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an order waiving the disabilities access compliance requirements for a distinct, narrow class of e-readers for an additional year – until January 28, 2016.
Continue Reading FCC Extends Waiver of Disabilities Access Requirements for E-Readers By a Year
21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
FCC Announces Upcoming Public Workshop on Social Media Accessibility
On July 10, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it will hold a public event entitled “Accessing Social Media” on Thursday, July 17, 2014, under the banner of its Accessibility and Innovation Initiative. The event will be held at the FCC’s Washington, DC headquarters at 445 12th Street SW from 9am to 4pm and…
FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Disabilities Access Rules for Basic E-Readers
On January 28, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) issued an Order granting an August 2013 request filed by the Coalition of E-Reader Manufacturers (“Coalition”) seeking a waiver of the Commission’s disabilities access rules as applied to e-readers. As previously reported on this blog, on October 22, 2013, the Commission granted a temporary waiver for the class of e-readers in order to give the FCC time to further evaluate the Coalition’s petition.
With this latest ruling, electronic text-based readers that are capable of accessing advanced communications services (“ACS”) like electronic messaging and that meet the distinct, narrow definition are exempt from making their products accessible to individuals with disabilities until January 28, 2015. This new class waiver joins a limited set of waivers that the Commission has granted for IPTVs (and IP-DVPs), cable set top boxes, and certain game consoles, game distribution and online game play services, and game software. …
Continue Reading FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Disabilities Access Rules for Basic E-Readers
FCC Change Allows Consumers to Bring ACS Accessibility Complaints Directly to Companies
In a Public Notice released last week, the FCC announced new procedures for consumers to file complaints against companies to allege violations of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (“CVAA”), the goal of which is to ensure that people with disabilities have access to advanced communications services (“ACS”). Generally, ACS is…
FCC Extends Review of E-Reader Coalition Petition
Kelley Drye Telecommunications paralegal Jennifer Rodden contributed to this post.
Earlier this year, a coalition of e-reader manufacturers (Amazon, Kobo and Sony Electronics) petitioned for waiver from the disabled access requirements applicable to Advanced Communications Services (“ACS”) under the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (“CVAA”). The Coalition seeks a class waiver…