The Commission Document makes it clear that regulation does not apply to user-generated content. This is complementary to the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 that states that a TV station that shows one of its captioned programs in an offline version must retain the captions for the online version.
Given the recent floods and tornados across the United States, the FCC emphasised the importance of ensuring that people who have vision or hearing impairment have access to emergency information, especially all ‘critical details’ pertaining to the emergency, and how to respond.
The requirement applies to all distributors of video programming to American households, with no exceptions. All distributors must ensure the information they provide is accessible, whatever signal or medium they use to distribute the contact.
Under provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 rules regarding mandatory levels of audio description will be reinstated on 8 October 2011, with required hours of described programming beginning in the first quarter of 2012.
In line with the 21st Century Video and Communications Accessibility Act of 2010, the pilot program will help ensure that individuals who are deaf-blind have access to the Internet, and advanced communications, including interexchange services and advanced telecommunications and information services.
