We need your help, contact Congress!

How to advocate for the CVTA

1. Brush up on what the CVTA does. You can read through the About CVTA page for more resources.

2. Find your members of congress. You have 2 Senators and 1 member of the House of Representatives. If you live in DC or a US territory, you have one representative.

3. Prepare your request. You can use the sample letters or phone scripts that are listed below.

4. Call, email, or send a letter to your senators and representative.

Sample Letter or Email

Dear <Insert Congressperson’s Name>,

I ask that you cosponsor the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act.

Since Congress enacted the bipartisan 21st 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, these individuals do not have full access to many communication and video tools that are essential today. Therefore, Congress must act to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of daily life through accessible communication tools, video programming, and emerging technologies.

The CVTA Act would enhance communications, video and technology accessibility for individuals with disabilities by:

● Requiring closed captioning for online video programming, mirroring current televised video programming requirements;

● Requiring audio description for both online and televised video programming;

● Directing the FCC to create and update certain quality standards for video programming accessibility;

● Requiring video conferencing services to work with assistive technologies that increase access for people with disabilities (e.g., refreshable braille displays);

● Establishing standards for American Sign Language interpretation when provided during certain video programming;

● Ensuring people with disabilities have equitable access to 9-1-1 emergency services through the use of direct video calling or telecommunications relay services; and

● Empowering the FCC to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality platforms.

[Insert a personal story of a communications or video access barrier here, if you want.]

Please ensure full access to communication and video tools for people with disabilities by working with Senator Markey and Representative Dingell to introduce the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act.

Thank you,

<Insert your Name and Mailing Address>

Sample Phone Script

Hello. I am a constituent of Senator/Representative [Congressperson’s Name] from [Insert Your City/Town].

I ask that you cosponsor the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act.

Since Congress enacted the bipartisan Communications and Video Accessibility Act in 2010, accessibility requirements for people with disabilities have not kept pace with changing technologies. As a result, many people with disabilities do not have full access to many communication and video programming tools that are essential today. Congress must act to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of daily life through accessible communication tools, video programming, and emerging technologies.

Please support the introduction of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act.

Thank you!