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

This bill is formally titled '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 nonbroadcast 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 revise closed captioning requirements. It mandates the Commission to revise regulations for online video programming and consumer generated media, requiring closed captioning within 12 months of receiving recommendations under the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026. The revised regulations must include a schedule of deadlines, ranging from 2 to 6 years after the effective date, for closed captioning implementation. 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 define responsibilities for entities involved in online video programming delivery to ensure caption data integrity and compatibility. Regulations for consumer generated media require platforms to provide authoring tools, notifications, and guidance for adding closed captions. The Commission is required to extend 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 to reflect technological advancements.

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

This section amends the Communications Act of 1934 to focus on audio description rather than video description. It requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise regulations for audio description on television programming, online video programming, and consumer-generated media. Television programming regulations must be revised within 12 months of recommendations submission and require full audio description for English and Spanish-language programs. Online video programming regulations must be revised within 18 months of recommendations submission, with deadlines for implementation ranging from 2 to 6 years. The regulations will define entity responsibilities for audio description provision and ensure data remains with the programming. The FCC is tasked with prescribing regulations to maximize accessibility of older online video programming and consumer-generated media. The FCC must also prescribe regulations to ensure the technical quality of audio description. The Commission may exempt programs or media from audio description requirements if it would be economically burdensome.

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'. When determining if 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.

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

This section amends Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934. It introduces a new subsection (i) regarding sign language interpretation of video programming. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) must prescribe regulations within one year of receiving recommendations under Section 106(d)(2) of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026. These regulations will require entities providing video programming to ensure sign language presentation is visible on the viewer's screen. The regulations will be based on standards established by the Commission. The Commission will also prescribe regulations for compliance and enforcement, referencing existing procedures in Title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.

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 Committee's membership will include representatives from various sectors, including broadcasters, video programming distributors, vendors, individuals with disabilities, and academic experts. The Advisory Committee must develop and submit recommendations to the Commission regarding closed captioning and audio description, including schedules, technical capabilities, and responsibilities for online video programming. Recommendations will also address metrics for accuracy and quality of captions and audio description, and standards for sign language interpretation visibility. The Committee will also address applying closed captioning and audio description obligations to consumer generated media and previously existing online video programming. The Advisory Committee is required to submit recommendations for standards to ensure sign language is visible on video programming within six months of its establishment. The Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to this Advisory Committee.

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 begin within four years of the effective date of certain regulations and be submitted to Congress within one year thereafter. These inquiries and reports will focus on the availability, use, and benefits of closed captioning and audio description on consumer-generated media and online video programming. The FCC will also examine the technical and operational issues and costs associated with providing these accessibility features. The FCC will assess the effectiveness of current measures used to determine closed captioning and audio description obligations. The Commission retains the authority to update regulations and deadlines if necessary to meet accessibility needs and reflect technological advancements, based on findings from the reports.

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 in 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 a ‘readily accessible’ mechanism. 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 dedicated audio channels for audio description and compatibility with assistive technologies. Paragraph (4) of subsection (aa), as redesignated, is modified to include ‘includes’ instead of ‘does not include’. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is directed to issue regulations within 18 months of enactment apportioning 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 require providers and manufacturers of interoperable video conferencing services to make available specific accessibility features. Required features include voice recognition, a simplified user interface, accessible instructional materials, visual interpretation services, screen-reader capability, refreshable braille displays, and hands-free technologies. Entities can satisfy these requirements either without third-party tools or with them, provided consumers are not charged extra for accessibility solutions. If direct compliance is not achievable, manufacturers and providers must ensure compatibility with existing assistive devices.

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Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026

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

Author: Edward Markey (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill updates the definition of 'video programming' to include online video programming and excludes consumer-generated media.
It revises closed captioning requirements for online video programming, mandating the Commission to revise regulations within 12 months of receiving recommendations.
The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to revise regulations for audio description on television programming, online video programming, and consumer-generated media.
It introduces new requirements for sign language interpretation of video programming, with the Commission prescribing regulations within one year of receiving recommendations.
The bill establishes the Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign Language Advisory Committee to develop and submit recommendations to the Commission regarding closed captioning and audio description.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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