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United States · Law · S

S. 3304 (111th)

Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 May 2010

Last action

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Status

By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 111-386.

Sponsors

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Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

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Summary

Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require that all customer premises equipment used with advanced communications services designed to provide two-way voice communication via a built-in speaker intended to be held to the ear in a manner functionally equivalent to a telephone must provide internal means for effective use with hearing aids that are designed to be compatible with telephones which meet established technical standards for hearing aid compatibility. Defines "advanced communications" as Internet-based protocol, or any successor protocol, based devices and services that transmit voice, video conferencing, and text communications, and any application or service accessed over the Internet that provides for voice, video conferencing, or text communications. Requires each interconnected VoIP service provider to participate in, and contribute to, the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. Requires a manufacturer of equipment used for advanced communications to ensure that the equipment and software it designs, develops, and fabricates is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities, where such requirement is achievable. Requires the FCC to authorize Lifeline and Linkup assistance programs and other federal universal service support mechanisms to be used for those telecommunications services, Internet access services, and advanced communications needed by qualified individuals with disabilities to engage in communication with other individuals in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of individuals without disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) enforcement and reporting; (2) deaf-blind individuals; and (3) emergency access. Establishes the Emergency Access and Real-time Text Advisory Committee. Requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment to, where achievable, make user interfaces for such service and equipment accessible to individuals with disabilities. Sets forth provisions concerning closed captioning decoder and video description capability, user interfaces, and video programming guides and menus.

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Documents

12 official files

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