What does Preamble of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010

What does DEFINITIONS. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 to redefine video programming accessibility terms. The definition of 'video programming' is broadened to include online video programming and programming comparable to that provided by television broadcast stations or networks. New definitions are added for 'live programming,' 'near-live programming,' 'online video programming,' and 'prerecorded programming,' referencing section 79.1 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations. The definition of 'video programming' excludes 'consumer generated media.' The term 'disability' is defined as having the meaning given in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

What does CLOSED CAPTIONING. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 to address closed captioning requirements for online video programming and consumer generated media. The Commission is required to revise regulations within 12 months of receiving recommendations under section 106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, to mandate closed captioning for new online video programming. Revised regulations must include a schedule of deadlines for closed captioning, ranging from 2 to 6 years after the effective date. The regulations must ensure English and Spanish-language online video programming is accessible with closed captions in the original audio track's language. The Commission must also prescribe regulations within 12 months of receiving recommendations to maximize the accessibility of older online video programming and consumer generated media. For consumer generated media, platforms must provide authoring tools, notice of those tools, and guidance on their use. The Commission is tasked with extending closed caption quality requirements to all online video programming and consumer generated media. The Commission must review and update closed caption quality regulations every four years after the enactment of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026.

What does AUDIO DESCRIPTION. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require audio description for video programming on television and online. The Commission shall revise its regulations to ensure all video programming is fully accessible through audio description. Regulations will include a schedule of deadlines for implementation, requirements for labeling and searchability, and provisions for exemptions.

What does TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO ECONOMIC of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends subsection (f) of section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934. The amendment defines 'economically burdensome' as resulting in 'significant difficulty or expense'. In determining whether closed captions or audio description are economically burdensome, factors to be considered include the cost of the captions/description, impact on operations, financial resources, and the type of operations of the provider or program owner.

What does SIGN LANGUAGE IN VIDEO PROGRAMMING. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require sign language interpretation in video programming. The Commission must prescribe regulations within 1 year of receiving recommendations under the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026. The regulations will require entities providing video programming to ensure sign language presentation is visible on the viewer's screen.

What does CLOSED CAPTIONING, AUDIO DESCRIPTION, AND SIGN LANGUAGE of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign Language Advisory Committee. The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is responsible for establishing the Advisory Committee within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Advisory Committee's membership will include representatives from various sectors, including broadcasters, video programming distributors, vendors, individuals with disabilities, and academic experts. The Committee must develop and submit recommendations to the Commission regarding closed captioning and audio description, including schedules, technical standards, and responsibilities for online video programming. Recommendations will also address metrics for accuracy and quality of captions and audio description, as well as discoverability of audio-described programming. The Committee will also address applying closed captioning and audio description obligations to consumer-generated media and previously existing online video programming. Within 6 months of establishment, the Committee must provide recommendations for standards to ensure sign language interpretation is visible on screens. The Committee must hold an initial meeting within 45 days of all members being appointed.

What does INQUIRIES AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct inquiries and submit reports to Congress regarding video programming accessibility requirements. The inquiries and reports must commence within four years of the effective date of certain regulations and be submitted to Congress within one year thereafter. The reports should address the availability, use, and benefits of closed captioning and audio description on consumer-generated media and online video programming. The FCC must also examine the technical and operational issues and costs associated with providing these accessibility features. The reports will assess the effectiveness of current measures used to determine closed captioning and audio description obligations. The FCC retains the authority to update regulations and deadlines for closed captioning and audio description based on the findings of these reports, to better meet accessibility needs and reflect technological advancements.

What does VIDEO PLAYBACK APPARATUSES. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934. The amendments adjust margins and modify language related to accessibility features within subsections (u), (z), and (aa). ’Visually impaired’ is replaced with ‘low vision’. ’Video description’ is replaced with ‘audio description’ in several instances. Paragraph (1) of subsection (aa) is modified to include ‘or any successor protocol’ after ‘protocol’. New requirements are added to subsection (aa) regarding accessibility features, including readily accessible activation mechanisms. The bill mandates that apparatus provide a prompt to modify closed captioning and audio description settings upon initial power-on or factory reset. It requires technical feasibility considerations for compatibility with assistive technologies and services. Paragraph (4) of subsection (aa), as redesignated paragraph (8), is modified to include rather than exclude certain features. The Federal Communications Commission is directed to prescribe regulations within 18 months of enactment to apportion compliance responsibilities among various entities involved in manufacturing, importing, maintaining, operating, or providing software for apparatus and navigation devices.

What does VIDEO CONFERENCING. of Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address accessibility of video conferencing services. It defines 'visual interpretation services' as functionality generating real-time descriptions of visual information for blind or low-vision individuals. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is directed to prescribe regulations within three years of enactment. These regulations will require providers and manufacturers of interoperable video conferencing services to make available specific accessibility features. Required features include voice recognition, simplified user interfaces, accessible instructional materials, visual interpretation services, screen-reader capability, refreshable braille displays, and hands-free technologies. Entities can meet these requirements either without third-party tools or with them, provided consumers are not charged extra for accessibility through third-party mechanisms. If direct compliance isn't achievable, manufacturers and providers must ensure compatibility with existing assistive devices.

Back to bills

Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/16/2026 · Introduced: 4/16/2026

Author: Debbie Dingell (D-MI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill broadens the definition of 'video programming' to include online video and programming similar to television broadcasts, while excluding consumer-generated media.
It mandates closed captioning for new online video programming, establishes deadlines for captioning older content and consumer-generated media, and requires platforms to provide captioning tools.
The bill requires audio description for both television and online video programming, establishing deadlines and requirements for labeling and searchability.
It increases the annual funding cap for the National Deafblind Equipment Distribution Program to $20 million, adjusted for inflation.
The bill requires video conferencing services to be accessible, including features like voice recognition and visual interpretation services, and mandates that customer assistance be usable by individuals with disabilities.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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