Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

Summary

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.

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Documents

10 official files

• Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 5 August 2010

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• Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

  Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 5 August 2010

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• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 26 July 2010

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• Engrossed in House (PDF)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 26 July 2010

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• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN · 26 July 2010

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• Reported in House (PDF)

  Reported in House · EN · 26 July 2010

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 26 July 2010

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 26 June 2009

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• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 26 June 2009

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 26 June 2009

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