The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)<\/strong> is a U.S. federal law that requires advanced communication services and video programming to be accessible to people with disabilities. Enacted in 2010, the law modernized earlier accessibility requirements to address today’s digital communication technologies, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), electronic messaging, video conferencing, and online video content.<\/p>\nThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC)<\/strong> is responsible for enforcing the CVAA and providing guidance for organizations that develop communication technologies and video services.<\/p>\nWhy CVAA Compliance Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe CVAA helps ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to modern communication services and digital media. Organizations that provide communication platforms, video content, or related technologies should consider accessibility throughout the design, development, and delivery process.<\/p>\nCVAA Title I: Communication Services<\/strong><\/h3>\nTitle I focuses on making Advanced Communication Services (ACS)<\/strong> accessible. These services include:<\/p>\n\nVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)<\/li>\nElectronic messaging and email<\/li>\nInstant messaging and chat<\/li>\nVideo communications and video conferencing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOrganizations developing these services should ensure compatibility with assistive technologies and incorporate accessibility into product design and user experiences.<\/p>\nCVAA Title II: Video Programming<\/strong><\/h3>\nTitle II establishes accessibility requirements for television and online video programming, including:<\/p>\n\nClosed captions<\/li>\nAudio descriptions<\/li>\nAccessible video players and user interfaces<\/li>\nEmergency information in accessible formats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThese requirements help ensure that video content is accessible to users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision.<\/p>\nKey Accessibility Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\nOrganizations subject to the CVAA should:<\/p>\n\nProvide accurate closed captions for covered video content.<\/li>\nSupport audio descriptions where required.<\/li>\nEnsure communication services are compatible with assistive technologies.<\/li>\nDesign accessible user interfaces and controls.<\/li>\nMake accessibility features easy to locate and use.<\/li>\nConsider accessibility throughout product development and testing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow Does CVAA Differ from WCAG?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/strong> provide internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. While WCAG supports accessible digital experiences, the CVAA includes additional requirements specific to communication services and video programming, such as relay services, captioning, and telecommunications accessibility.<\/p>\nFollowing WCAG is an important step toward accessibility, but organizations covered by the CVAA should also ensure they meet the law’s communication- and media-specific requirements.<\/p>\nExceptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nCertain types of content and services may be exempt from specific CVAA requirements. Organizations should review applicable FCC guidance to determine whether exemptions apply to their products or services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)<\/strong> is responsible for enforcing the CVAA and providing guidance for organizations that develop communication technologies and video services.<\/p>\nWhy CVAA Compliance Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe CVAA helps ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to modern communication services and digital media. Organizations that provide communication platforms, video content, or related technologies should consider accessibility throughout the design, development, and delivery process.<\/p>\nCVAA Title I: Communication Services<\/strong><\/h3>\nTitle I focuses on making Advanced Communication Services (ACS)<\/strong> accessible. These services include:<\/p>\n\nVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)<\/li>\nElectronic messaging and email<\/li>\nInstant messaging and chat<\/li>\nVideo communications and video conferencing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOrganizations developing these services should ensure compatibility with assistive technologies and incorporate accessibility into product design and user experiences.<\/p>\nCVAA Title II: Video Programming<\/strong><\/h3>\nTitle II establishes accessibility requirements for television and online video programming, including:<\/p>\n\nClosed captions<\/li>\nAudio descriptions<\/li>\nAccessible video players and user interfaces<\/li>\nEmergency information in accessible formats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThese requirements help ensure that video content is accessible to users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision.<\/p>\nKey Accessibility Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\nOrganizations subject to the CVAA should:<\/p>\n\nProvide accurate closed captions for covered video content.<\/li>\nSupport audio descriptions where required.<\/li>\nEnsure communication services are compatible with assistive technologies.<\/li>\nDesign accessible user interfaces and controls.<\/li>\nMake accessibility features easy to locate and use.<\/li>\nConsider accessibility throughout product development and testing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow Does CVAA Differ from WCAG?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/strong> provide internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. While WCAG supports accessible digital experiences, the CVAA includes additional requirements specific to communication services and video programming, such as relay services, captioning, and telecommunications accessibility.<\/p>\nFollowing WCAG is an important step toward accessibility, but organizations covered by the CVAA should also ensure they meet the law’s communication- and media-specific requirements.<\/p>\nExceptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nCertain types of content and services may be exempt from specific CVAA requirements. Organizations should review applicable FCC guidance to determine whether exemptions apply to their products or services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The CVAA helps ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to modern communication services and digital media. Organizations that provide communication platforms, video content, or related technologies should consider accessibility throughout the design, development, and delivery process.<\/p>\n
Title I focuses on making Advanced Communication Services (ACS)<\/strong> accessible. These services include:<\/p>\n\nVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)<\/li>\nElectronic messaging and email<\/li>\nInstant messaging and chat<\/li>\nVideo communications and video conferencing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOrganizations developing these services should ensure compatibility with assistive technologies and incorporate accessibility into product design and user experiences.<\/p>\nCVAA Title II: Video Programming<\/strong><\/h3>\nTitle II establishes accessibility requirements for television and online video programming, including:<\/p>\n\nClosed captions<\/li>\nAudio descriptions<\/li>\nAccessible video players and user interfaces<\/li>\nEmergency information in accessible formats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThese requirements help ensure that video content is accessible to users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision.<\/p>\nKey Accessibility Requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\nOrganizations subject to the CVAA should:<\/p>\n\nProvide accurate closed captions for covered video content.<\/li>\nSupport audio descriptions where required.<\/li>\nEnsure communication services are compatible with assistive technologies.<\/li>\nDesign accessible user interfaces and controls.<\/li>\nMake accessibility features easy to locate and use.<\/li>\nConsider accessibility throughout product development and testing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nHow Does CVAA Differ from WCAG?<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/strong> provide internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. While WCAG supports accessible digital experiences, the CVAA includes additional requirements specific to communication services and video programming, such as relay services, captioning, and telecommunications accessibility.<\/p>\nFollowing WCAG is an important step toward accessibility, but organizations covered by the CVAA should also ensure they meet the law’s communication- and media-specific requirements.<\/p>\nExceptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nCertain types of content and services may be exempt from specific CVAA requirements. Organizations should review applicable FCC guidance to determine whether exemptions apply to their products or services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Organizations developing these services should ensure compatibility with assistive technologies and incorporate accessibility into product design and user experiences.<\/p>\n
Title II establishes accessibility requirements for television and online video programming, including:<\/p>\n
These requirements help ensure that video content is accessible to users who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision.<\/p>\n
Organizations subject to the CVAA should:<\/p>\n
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/strong> provide internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. While WCAG supports accessible digital experiences, the CVAA includes additional requirements specific to communication services and video programming, such as relay services, captioning, and telecommunications accessibility.<\/p>\nFollowing WCAG is an important step toward accessibility, but organizations covered by the CVAA should also ensure they meet the law’s communication- and media-specific requirements.<\/p>\nExceptions<\/strong><\/h3>\nCertain types of content and services may be exempt from specific CVAA requirements. Organizations should review applicable FCC guidance to determine whether exemptions apply to their products or services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Frequently asked questions.<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Following WCAG is an important step toward accessibility, but organizations covered by the CVAA should also ensure they meet the law’s communication- and media-specific requirements.<\/p>\n
Certain types of content and services may be exempt from specific CVAA requirements. Organizations should review applicable FCC guidance to determine whether exemptions apply to their products or services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
FAQ<\/p>\n<\/div>
Can’t find your answer? Reach out \u2014 we’d love to chat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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