Understanding CVAA Compliance and Requirements
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) represents a landmark piece of legislation that established critical protections for individuals with disabilities. This forward-thinking law ensures that modern broadband, digital, and mobile technologies remain accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
In 2010, under President Obama's administration, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was signed into law. This legislation modernized existing accessibility regulations to keep pace with rapidly evolving telecommunications technologies, ensuring that innovations benefit all users, including those with disabilities.
The CVAA is organized into two primary sections, known as titles:
Ensures that communication services utilizing broadband technology are fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Focuses on improving accessibility for video content across television and internet platforms.
Title I of the CVAA mandates that all communication services and devices leveraging broadband technology must be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes requirements for smartphones and mobile devices to be usable by people who are blind, visually impaired, or use hearing assistance devices. The goal is to eliminate barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully utilizing modern communication tools.
Title II of the CVAA establishes comprehensive accessibility standards for video content across multiple platforms. A fundamental requirement is that television programs originally broadcast with captions must maintain those captions when streamed online. Both titles also incorporate provisions to ensure access to essential services, including next-generation 911 emergency services and television emergency broadcasts for people with disabilities.
The impact of CVAA becomes clear when examining the numbers: approximately 36 million Americans experience hearing loss, while another 25 million face significant vision impairments.
A revealing 2009 FCC study uncovered a significant digital divide: while 65 percent of the general American population had broadband at home, this figure dropped to just 42 percent among people with disabilities. This gap often stems from physical and technological barriers that make internet use challenging for individuals with disabilities.
In response to these findings, the National Broadband Plan of March 2010 recommended that Congress and the FCC update accessibility laws to reflect the rapid evolution of broadband technologies. The CVAA emerged as a direct response to this call, ensuring that as technology advances, accessibility remains a priority rather than an afterthought.
EdgeAble.ai can help your organization meet CVAA compliance requirements through our comprehensive accessibility solutions. Let's work together to ensure your digital communications and video content are accessible to everyone.
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