CVAA – Communications and Video Accessibility Act

CVAA or the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was enacted on October 8, 2010 to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the innovative communications technologies of the 21st Century. The CVAA mandates accessibility of public-facing communications that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Specifically, the CVAA covers four broad communications categories:

1. Television and IP-delivered Video Programming
2. Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) & Emergency Communications
3. Devices, Equipment, Connectors & Mobile Browsers
4. Advanced Communications Services (ACS).

If your organization delivers Web-based videos originally captioned on TV or if it manufactures or provides Advanced Communication Services (ACS) for the general public, you need an immediate action plan for each of the following content types:

• IP-delivered video content originally captioned on TV.
• Interconnected and non-interconnected voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services.
• Electronic messaging services, including:
  • Text messaging.
  • Email
  • Instant messaging/chat.
  • Interoperable video conferencing services.

For online video, the CVAA extends closed captioning obligations to video programming provided by (or generally considered comparable to programming provided by) television broadcast stations, even when distributed over the Internet.

• The CVAA covers video programming previously captioned for television viewing, live video programming, and new video programming provided by or considered comparable to programming provided by multichannel programming distributors.
• The act also explores the need for online interfaces around the navigation of audiovisual interfaces to be accessible.
• The act does not cover user-generated content (e.g., YouTube videos posted by individuals).