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Enhanced Communication and Video Accessibility for People with Disabilities

This Act aims to significantly increase the accessibility of communication and video services for individuals with disabilities. It introduces new requirements for closed captioning, audio description, and American Sign Language interpretation in TV and online programming, while also improving video playback equipment and video conferencing services. These changes are designed to make daily media consumption and communication easier.
Key points
Increased availability of closed captioning and audio description on TV and online, including for live and user-generated content.
Improvements in video playback equipment, such as dedicated buttons for activating captions and audio description on remote controls.
Requirement for video conferencing services to have built-in closed captioning and compatibility with assistive technologies.
Expansion of telecommunications relay services to support American Sign Language and direct video calling for deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.
Increased funding for the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program to $20 million annually.
Mandate for real-time text delivery in VoIP services, including connectivity to emergency services.
Regular reports and regulatory updates on the accessibility of emerging technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
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Status:
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_5121
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Process start date: 2022-11-17
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure, with full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source, always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2022

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_5121.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-11-17.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Increased availability of closed captioning and audio description on TV and online, including for live and user-generated content.
  • Improvements in video playback equipment, such as dedicated buttons for activating captions and audio description on remote controls.
  • Requirement for video conferencing services to have built-in closed captioning and compatibility with assistive technologies.
  • Expansion of telecommunications relay services to support American Sign Language and direct video calling for deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.
  • Increased funding for the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program to $20 million annually.
  • Mandate for real-time text delivery in VoIP services, including connectivity to emergency services.
  • Regular reports and regulatory updates on the accessibility of emerging technologies like augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2026-01-02.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know, that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Media and Culture Informatization Benefits