Sponsors (2)
Official title: Update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Edward John Markey · Last progress April 16, 2026
The bill substantially expands legally enforceable accessibility across devices, video content, and real‑time communications—meaningfully improving access for people with disabilities—but it does so at the cost of new compliance burdens, regulatory complexity, and implementation uncertainty for industry and the FCC.
People with disabilities (including Deaf, DeafBlind, blind/low-vision, speech and cognitive disabilities) gain legally backed, across-the-board access to communications and video content through required captions, audio description, accessible video-conferencing features, and sign-language support.
People who use assistive technologies (braille displays, hearing aids, screen readers, AAC) and organizations that serve them will get better device and software interoperability—dedicated audio tracks, assistive-technology integration, and initial-device accessibility prompts—making mainstream devices more usable.
Deaf, DeafBlind, and other users relying on real-time communications will get improved services—visual interpretation, full screen‑reader support for shared content, communication facilitators, and sign-language parity for customer/technical support—helping access to calls, emergency communications, and service assistance.
Platforms, device makers, broadcasters, and creators will face substantial new compliance and development costs to add captions, audio description, assistive features, and labeling, costs that may be passed to consumers or reduce services.
Smaller creators and makers of consumer-generated content risk disproportionate burdens—added complexity or costs could limit their ability to comply, shrink offerings, or delay adoption of accessibility features.
Ambiguous standards (what is 'achievable' or 'technically feasible'), long transition deadlines, and the possibility of waivers create uncertainty that could delay implementation, invite litigation about responsibilities, and reduce near-term benefits for disabled users.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Expands Communications Act accessibility rules: updates definitions, requires captioning and audio description for online/IP video, mandates accessible conferencing and device interoperability, and creates recurring FCC reports on emerging tech accessibility.
Requires the Federal Communications Commission and the communications industry to expand and modernize accessibility across video programming, video apparatus, video conferencing, and emerging communications technologies. It updates statutory definitions (including adopting the ADA definition of “disability”), mandates closed captioning and audio description rules for online and IP‑delivered content, requires accessible controls and interoperability for playback devices and assistive tech, demands parity of sign‑language customer support, and creates recurring FCC reporting and rulemaking obligations on emerging-technology accessibility. Implements phased compliance schedules and deadlines for rulemakings and requires recurring reports to Congress and five‑year studies assessing accessibility barriers from AI, AR/VR/XR, spatial computing, advanced wireless, robotics, IoT, and similar technologies; gives the FCC authority to update or create regulations to address gaps and to allocate compliance responsibilities across manufacturers, service providers, and software vendors.