Categories: Accessibility, Advocacy News, Advocating, CVAA, FCC, News, Newsroom

FCC Sends 2020 CVAA Biennial Report to Congress

On October 6, 2020, the FCC submitted its fifth biennial report to Congress, as required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).  The purpose of...On October 6, 2020, the FCC submitted its fifth biennial report to Congress, as required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).  The purpose of the CVAA is to help ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to fully utilize emerging communications services and equipment and better access video programming. … Read More >

Categories: Accessibility, ADA, Advocacy News, ASR, Blog, Captions, FCC, News

FCC Grants Conditional Certification to Clarity Products to Provide IP CTS Using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)

On June 4, 2020, the FCC granted conditional certification to Clarity Products, LLC to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service using only automatic speech recognition technology without the aid of...On June 4, 2020, the FCC granted conditional certification to Clarity Products, LLC to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service using only automatic speech recognition technology without the aid of communications assistants.  The service will be available via the over-the-top application CaptionMate. Conditional Certification Order: URL: https://www.fcc.gov/document/clarity-certified-automatic-speech-recognition-ip-cts-provider Word: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-587A1.docx PDF: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-587A1.pdf Text: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-587A1.txt News Release: … Read More >

Categories: Accessibility, ADA, Advocacy News, ASR, Blog, Captions, FCC, News

FCC Grants First Certification for New ASR-Only IP CTS Service

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2020—The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau today granted conditional certification to MachineGenius to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using only automatic speech recognition...WASHINGTON, May 5, 2020—The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau today granted conditional certification to MachineGenius to provide Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) using only automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. This is the first such grant and provides an opportunity for advanced technology to meet the FCC’s high reliability standards in providing captioned … Read More >

Categories: Advocacy News, Consumer, FCC, Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC), News, Telecoil (T-coil), Telecommunications

HLAA Supports Stronger Consumer Education Regarding HAC Phones

Hearing Loss Association of America alongside Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-RERC at Gallaudet filed...Hearing Loss Association of America alongside Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-RERC at Gallaudet filed Comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) wireless phones. The Commission has … Read More >

Categories: Advocacy News, Connected Care, Coronavirus, COVID-19, FCC, News, Telecommunications, Telehealth

FCC Approves Emergency COVID-19 Telehealth and Connected Care Pilot Programs

On March 31, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a $200 million telehealth program to implement the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support healthcare providers responding...On March 31, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a $200 million telehealth program to implement the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support healthcare providers responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, the FCC will help healthcare providers purchase telecommunications, broadband connectivity, and devices necessary for providing … Read More >

Categories: Advocacy News, Blog, Coronavirus, Emergency, FCC, News, Television

FCC Shares Resources About Accessible Televised Emergency Information

On March 13, 2020, a national emergency was declared concerning the coronavirus outbreak.  The FCC has rules requiring televised emergency information to be accessible.  See the below links for some...On March 13, 2020, a national emergency was declared concerning the coronavirus outbreak.  The FCC has rules requiring televised emergency information to be accessible.  See the below links for some helpful resources about accessible televised emergency information:    Consumer Guide American Sign Language video Detailed Public Notice about the obligation to make televised emergency information … Read More >

Categories: Advocacy News, Coronavirus, FCC, News, Telecommunications

FCC Grants Temporary Waiver of Certain TRS Rules During Coronavirus

HLAA has learned that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which provides oversight for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), has issued a new Order relaxing some rules for  internet protocol captioned telephone...HLAA has learned that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which provides oversight for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), has issued a new Order relaxing some rules for  internet protocol captioned telephone services (IP CTS) and Video Relay Service (VRS). The FCC hopes these actions will help IP CTS and VRS providers ensure that during the national … Read More >