On the heels of the Justice Department sending a notice of proposed rulemaking "to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has "published a proposed rule designed to improve the accessibility of video conferencing and video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities."
Paradigm Shift
What brought about the need for the FCC to amend its rule in order to "ensure that interoperable video conferencing services (IVCS) are accessible to people with disabilities?" The FCC recognizes that video conferencing has become a regular fixture in the lives of millions of people.
"The new social interaction paradigm occasioned by the pandemic appears to have permanently altered the norms of modern communication in the workplace, healthcare, education, social interaction, civic life, and more."
"These amendments are proposed to meet the need for people with disabilities to participate fully in video conferences, a technology that appears to have permanently altered the norms of modern communication in the workplace, healthcare, education, social interaction, and civic life."
Effecting Change
The objective of the proposed amendment to the FCC rule is to "improve the accessibility of video conferencing, whether used for work, education, healthcare, entertainment, or other activities."
This will be accomplished in part by "identifying specific 'performance objectives' that will strengthen existing requirements." Some of those objectives specify "that input, control, and mechanical functions are locatable, identifiable, and operable by people with disabilities and that all information necessary to operate and use the product is available to people with disabilities."
Speak Up!
The Commission is seeking public comment regarding those objectives and the revision of their rule. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to share their experiences, good and bad, of using interoperable video conferencing services.
Comments can be submitted through the FCC’s "Submit an Express Comment form." Please include the Proceeding Number, which is 23-161.
Resources:
- Public Comment Sought on Proposed New “Access to Video Conferencing” Rule Published by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ~ Lainey Feingold
- Access to Video Conferencing - Federal Communications Commission
