As expected, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has issued new rules to help ensure that those with disabilities have full and complete access to the features and benefits of videoconferencing technologies.
As detailed in a Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in late September, the new rules will require interoperable video conferencing services (IVCS) and platforms to provide accurate and synchronous captioning, as well as provide access to third-party captioning services and sign language interpretation services.
The Second Report also seeks public comment on whether the Commission should adopt additional performance criteria to IVCS, including text-to-speech and speech-to-speech functionality, and provisions to provide access to video conferencing services for those who are blind or who have low vision.
The FCC’s most recent action related to video conferencing services builds on an Order issued by the FCC in 2023 intended to make videoconferencing services available to all.
The text of the FCC’s Report and Order in connection with improving access to video conferencing services is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-95A1.pdf.
