The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), signed into law by President Barack Obama on October 8, 2010, modernized U.S. federal communications law to ensure that individuals with disabilities have full access to contemporary digital, mobile, and broadband communications.

The CVAA updates and expands upon accessibility laws from the 1980s and 1990s bringing them in line with 21st-century technologies. It empowers people with disabilities to engage more fully in society, from using smartphones and video conferencing to accessing online content and emergency broadcasts.

Before the CVAA, many accessibility laws focused on traditional telephone and broadcast TV. As new technologies emerged such as the Internet, text messaging, and digital video, people with disabilities faced growing barriers to communication. The CVAA addressed this gap, ensuring that modern technologies do not leave anyone behind.

The law is divided into two main sections:

Title I – Telecommunications Access

Title I ensures that advanced communication services and products are accessible to people with disabilities. Key provisions include:

• Accessibility of Advanced Communications
  Services such as VoIP (both interconnected and non-interconnected), text messaging, email, instant messaging, and video conferencing must be accessible.
  
• Mobile Web Browsing
  Requires that web browsers on mobile devices be usable by people who are blind or visually impaired.
  
• Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)
  Expands the definition to include individuals who are deaf-blind, allowing communication across different TRS platforms.
  
• Hearing Aid Compatibility
  Applies hearing aid compatibility requirements to equipment used with advanced communication services.
  
• Support for the Deaf-Blind Community
  Up to $10 million per year is allocated to provide specialized equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind, ensuring access to telecommunication and Internet services.
  
• FCC Oversight & Enforcement
  Includes new complaint procedures, industry recordkeeping obligations, biennial reports to Congress, and a public clearinghouse for accessible communication technologies.
  
• Next Generation 9-1-1 Services
  Authorizes the FCC to ensure that emergency calling systems are reliable and accessible for people with disabilities.
  

Title II – Video Programming Access

Title II focuses on improving access to video content for people with hearing and vision disabilities. Some of the key provisions include:

• Closed Captioning Requirements
  Any TV program that is closed captioned must retain those captions when shown on the Internet. This does not apply to content created solely for the web.
  
• Audio Description (Video Description)
  Restores and expands FCC authority to require audio descriptions of video programming for blind and visually impaired audiences.
  
• Emergency Information Accessibility
  Emergency alerts must be presented in a way that is audible and understandable to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  
• Accessible Devices
  Equipment like TVs, smartphones, laptops, and recording devices must be able to:
  
  • Display closed captions and audio descriptions
    
  • Allow users to toggle these features on/off
    
  • Transmit accessibility data across interconnection mechanisms (like HDMI cables)
    
• User-Friendly Controls
  Devices must have accessible user interfaces, including buttons, keys, or icons for activating captions and audio descriptions. On-screen menus and program guides must also be accessible via set-top boxes.
  

Compliance Requirements of the CVAA

Organizations and manufacturers must:

• Ensure that new communication technologies and video equipment are accessible or compatible with assistive technologies.
  
• Maintain documentation and records proving compliance.
  
• Participate in the FCC’s complaint resolution process and meet response deadlines.
  
• Include accessibility support features in product design from the outset (not as afterthoughts).
  
• Monitor and implement updates based on evolving FCC regulations and periodic reports.
  

Non-compliance can lead to regulatory penalties, public complaints, and reputational harm, making proactive accessibility planning a critical part of digital product and service development.

Why the CVAA Matters

The CVAA is more than a legal requirement; it is a statement of inclusion and equal opportunity. It ensures that people with disabilities can participate fully in education, employment, emergency response, entertainment, and everyday life through accessible technology.

By embracing the principles of the CVAA, companies not only meet legal obligations but also expand their user base, build trust, and contribute to a more inclusive digital world.