FCC Takes Additional Steps to Make Emergency Information in TV Programming Accessible to Individuals Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to ensure individuals who are blind or visually impaired can quickly access critical information shown on television in the event of an emergency. In addition, the FCC seeks comment on other possible accessibility issues facing those who are blind or visually impaired. The new rules adopted required that emergency information be made accessible on a secondary audio stream on tablets, smartphones, laptops, and similar devices when subscription television providers, such as cable and satellite operators, permit consumers to access programming over their networks using an app on these devices.

When emergency information appears on a television screen, it is preceded by three tones. Under previously adopted FCC rules, individuals who are blind or visually impaired soon will be able to switch to a secondary audio stream to hear televised emergency information when they hear the three tones. This action takes this a step further: keeping pace with technological changes and the way consumers enjoy content. Additionally, the Second Report and Order establishes rules requiring that the equipment used to receive and pay back television programming, such as set-top boxes, have a simple and easy to use mechanism to switch from the main program audio to the secondary audio stream to hear audible emergency information.