Since Congress last passed accessibility standards for communications technology in 2010, entirely new categories of technology have been developed, such as video conferencing and video streaming services. Who could have known in 2010 that video conferencing services such as Zoom and Teams would become a staple of a typical workday, or that so many households would get most of their entertainment through online streaming services instead of DVDs and cable? Americans now depend on access to these technologies in order to find and retain employment, to access emergency services, and to enjoy their leisure time. The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) would bring telecommunications accessibility standards up to date with current advances in technology.
The CVTA will:
- Require video conferencing services to be compatible with assistive technologies, third-party captioning and interpreting services, and telecommunications relay services.
- Expand requirements for quality captioning and audio description on most television programming and video streaming platforms.
- Update requirements to ensure viewers can easily activate and select preferred settings for closed captions and audio description on video devices such as televisions, smart phones, laptops, and tablets.
- Require access to emergency services via real time text, direct video calling, or telecommunications relay services.
- Empower the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality platforms.
How can you help?
In our efforts to ensure that this bill passes through Congress, please contact your Senators and your Member of the House of Representatives to encourage them to sponsor the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act. Every call and every voice make a difference!
You can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your two Senators or Member of the House of Representatives, or you can use the links below to find their contact information.
- Find the name and contact information for your Member of Congress
- Find the name and contact information for your two U.S. Senators
You can use our templates below as a guide when contacting your elected officials. You can also consider sharing an example of how video conferencing services are integral to your own job, or how not being able to access certain communications technology has presented barriers to your employment, safety, or community involvement.
Sample Scripts and Email Templates
For your Member of Congress:
For your Senators:
