Dingell Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Communication and Video Technologies Are Accessible to People with Disabilities

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), alongside U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. This bill would update and strengthen the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act to ensure that people with disabilities have access to innovative communication and video technologies to ensure they can participate equally in employment, education, and other social and civic activities. “This legislation is about making sure our laws finally catch up with how people actually live and work today. As technology evolves, accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought, and every American deserves equal access to the tools that power our economy, education, and everyday life. I am grateful for Senator Markey’s partnership in this effort to close critical gaps so people with disabilities are not left behind in our increasingly digital world,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Innovation and accessibility can and must move together. As communications technology evolves, our responsibility is to ensure those advances expand opportunity rather than create new barriers. This legislation brings our accessibility laws into the modern era across the digital platforms and services Americans now depend on every day—with clearer standards, stronger accountability, and a forward-looking framework that ensures access is built in from the start, not treated as an afterthought,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “In a world of ever-changing technologies, too often, people with disabilities have been left behind,” said Senator Markey. “If you cannot join the video conferencing meeting, follow the streaming show, or communicate with 9-1-1 emergency services, you are being shut out of modern American life. The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act would modernize our digital accessibility rules to ensure that the technologies Americans use to work, learn, get health care, and stay safe are equally accessible to everyone. I’m proud to partner with Representatives Dingell and Fitzpatrick and Senator Luj á n on this important legislation.” “As technology evolves and more of our lives move online, we must ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the tools and services it provides. Technology has advanced rapidly, but accessibility standards have not kept pace, leaving too many folks behind,” said Senator Luján. “That is why I am joining Senator Markey in introducing the Communications, Video, and Accessibility Technology Act. This legislation will update accessibility standards to help all Americans access the technologies they need to succeed.” Specifically, the CVTA would: Improve and expand closed captioning and audio description standards for television and online video streaming programming to ensure people with disabilities have equitable access to the wide range of programming available to the general public; Update current requirements to ensure viewers can easily activate and select preferred settings for closed captions and audio description on their video programming devices, such as televisions, smartphones, laptops, and tablets; Improve access to video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities; Ensure people with disabilities have equitable access to 9-1-1 emergency services; and Empower the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and virtual reality platforms. “Just as technology has advanced over the fifteen years since the CVAA first passed in 2010, it’s important that our accessibility laws keep up with the pace of change—especially in broadcast and streaming media. There has been incredible progress in making audio description more widely available, giving viewers who are blind or have low vision access to critical information that allows them to fully enjoy and understand video content, and the reintroduction of the CVTA will guarantee expanded access to program content and video technology. Perkins applauds Senator Markey for his long-standing leadership in sponsoring legislation that ensures people with disabilities can access critical communication products and services that are necessary for them to participate equally in professional, educational, and recreational pursuits, ” said David Barth, President and CEO of Perkins School for the Blind. “The American Foundation for the Blind applauds Senators Markey and Luján and Representatives Dingell and Fitzpatrick for reintroducing the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA). Even though there has been incredible progress in technology accessibility, transformative new communications technologies continue to lack a full range of accessible features, and blind people continue to be unable to enjoy entertainment that most Americans can watch without any extra effort. We are pleased that the CVTA promises to bring media and communications accessibility law into the present moment while laying the foundation for the accessibility of emerging technologies,” said Eric Bridges, President and CEO of American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Congresswoman Dingell serves as the co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus alongside Congressman Fitzpatrick. Bill text can be viewed HERE .