The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
Welcome to CVTA
The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) ensures people with disabilities have equitable access to evolving digital communications and video programming services. To achieve this, the legislation will expand the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require full access to TV and streaming programs through closed captioning and audio description, close gaps in the provision of 911 emergency services, bring telecommunications relay services in line with modern technologies, and ensure that evolving technology-driven communications empower people with disabilities to communicate effectively in all aspects of their lives. Efforts to achieve passage of the CVTA are being driven by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), which is work ensures technology continues to be usable and accessible for everyone. COAT currently is working toward reintroduction of the CVTA in 2025 with additional industry and community input.
-
Since Congress enacted the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in 2010, accessibility requirements for people with disabilities have not kept pace with changing technologies. As a result, people with disabilities do not have equitable access to many essential communication and video products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these accessibility gaps for people with disabilities as online platforms and services became increasingly essential. The CVTA will ensure that people with disabilities have full access to the range of mainstream communication products and services that are necessary to participate equitably in professional, educational, recreational, and civic contexts and will lay a foundation for access to future technologies.
-
Companies should maintain a culture of accessibility throughout the planning of their products and services. This principle of inclusion calls upon businesses to incorporate accessible features into their products and services early on in their design processes, to meet the needs of people with disabilities as these offerings are made available to the general public. This will ensure that people with disabilities receive equitable treatment, and avoid expensive, less effective retrofits for the companies at a later point in time. In addition to the societal benefits accruing from such cultural accessibility, businesses that make their products and services accessible in this manner can expand their markets to tens of millions of Americans with disabilities. Efforts to include these communities contributes to an enterprise’s success through enhanced customer loyalty and satisfaction. Companies with effective accessibility practices significantly increase their revenues and profit margins.
-
Providing access to evolving digital technologies breaks down barriers and enhances the ability of people with disabilities to be independent, productive, and socially connected. When able to fully integrate in society, people with disabilities have greater opportunities to participate in, and therefore make contributions to, our workplaces, schools, civic affairs, neighborhood activities, and more.
Become a Supporter!
Take Action: Support CVTA and List Your Organization Today!
Fill out the form below to join these organizations in supporting the CVTA!
We’re on a mission to make video programming, digital communications, and emergency services fully accessible to people with disabilities.
In the United States, there are about 70 million Americans with a disability, according to the CDC’s 2022 BRFSS data. However, many modern digital technologies, including online video programming, TV user interfaces, emergency services, and video conferencing remain inaccessible for people with disabilities. Today’s technology is impressive, but as it continues to evolve, access for people with disabilities is threatened. We are on a mission to ensure that today’s and tomorrow’s digital technologies provide people with disabilities with an equitable experience.
“In a world of ever-changing technologies, too often, people with disabilities have been left behind,” said Senator Markey. “If you cannot join the video conferencing meeting, follow the streaming show, or communicate with 9-1-1 emergency services, you are being shut out of modern American life. The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act would modernize our digital accessibility rules to ensure that the technologies Americans use to work, learn, get health care, and stay safe are equally accessible to everyone. I’m proud to partner with Representatives Dingell and Fitzpatrick and Senator Luján on this important legislation.”
— Senator Ed Markey (D)
“As technology evolves and more of our lives move online, we must ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the tools and services it provides. Technology has advanced rapidly, but accessibility standards have not kept pace, leaving too many folks behind. … This legislation will update accessibility standards to help all Americans access the technologies they need to succeed.”
— Senator Ben Ray Luján (D)
“This legislation is about making sure our laws finally catch up with how people actually live and work today. As technology evolves, accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought, and every American deserves equal access to the tools that power our economy, education, and everyday life. I am grateful for Senator Markey’s partnership in this effort to close critical gaps so people with disabilities are not left behind in our increasingly digital world.”
— Representative Debbie Dingell (D)
“Innovation and accessibility can and must move together. As communications technology evolves, our responsibility is to ensure those advances expand opportunity rather than create new barriers. This legislation brings our accessibility laws into the modern era across the digital platforms and services Americans now depend on every day—with clearer standards, stronger accountability, and a forward-looking framework that ensures access is built in from the start, not treated as an afterthought.”
— Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R)