VPAAC MISSION The Act provides that the VPAAC shall develop recommendations for the provision of closed captioning of Internet programming previously captioned on television,1 video description of television programming delivered using Internet protocol or digital broadcast television,2 accessible emergency information for people with vision disabilities delivered using Internet protocol or digital broadcast television,3 and accessible user interfaces on video programming devices.4 Where possible, the Act directs that these recommendations should incorporate the standards, protocols, and procedures that have been adopted by recognized industry standard-setting organizations.5 The Act sets forth specific tasks for the Committee as well as deadlines for completing such tasks. Specifically, the Act mandates that the VPAAC develop and submit to the Commission two reports: REPORT ON CLOSED CAPTIONING Within 6 months of the first meeting of VPEAAC, the Committee shall submit a report to the Commission that includes: 1 PL 111-260, § 201 (e) generally lays out the directives for the VPAAC. PL 111-260, § 202 (b) replaces subsection 713 (c) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. §613 (c), with new requirements for the Commission to promulgate regulations for the provision of closed captioning of video programming once published or exhibited on television. 2 PL 111-260, § 202 (a) replaces subsection 713(f) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. §613 (f), with new requirements for the Commission to reinstate and update (as directed by the Act) its video description regulations originally contained in Implementation of Video Description of Video Programming, Report and Order, 15 FCC Rcd 15,230 (2000), recon. granted in part and denied in part, 16 FCC Rcd 1251 (2001). 3 PL 111-260, § 202 (a) replaces subsection 713 (g) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. §613 (g) with a new requirement for the Commission to promulgate regulations requiring video programming providers and distributors and program owners to convey emergency information in a manner accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This Committee will address disability access to emergency information provided on video programming, while a second advisory committee, the Emergency Access Advisory Committee mandated by section 106 of the Act, will address next generation 911 (NG911) emergency disability access issues. 4 PL 111-260, § 204 amends section 303 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 303, to create new requirements for accessible user interfaces on digital apparatus designed to receive or play back video programming transmitted in digital format simultaneously with sound, including apparatus designed to receive or display video programming transmitted in digital format using Internet protocol. 5 PL 111-260, § 201(e)(3). · A recommended schedule of deadlines for the provision of closed captioning service; · Identification of the performance requirements for protocols, technical capabilities, and technical procedures needed to permit content providers, content distributors, Internet service providers, software developers, and device manufacturers to reliably encode, transport, receive, and render closed captions of non-consumer generated video programming delivered using Internet protocol, as well as a recommendation for technical standards to address these performance objectives; · Identification of additional protocols, technical capabilities, and technical procedures beyond those available as of October 8, 2010, for the delivery of closed captions of non-consumer generated video programming delivered using Internet protocol, that are necessary to meet the performance objectives identified in the Act; and · Recommendations for regulations necessary to ensure compatibility between non- consumer generated video programming that is delivered using Internet protocol and devices capable of receiving and displaying such programming, in order to facilitate access to closed captions. REPORT ON VIDEO DESCRIPTION, EMERGENCY INFORMATION, USER INTERFACES, AND VIDEO PROGRAMMING GUIDES AND MENUS Within 18 months of the date of the Act’s enactment, the Committee shall submit a report to the Commission that includes: · A recommended schedule of deadlines for the provision of video description and emergency information; · Identification of the performance objectives for protocols, technical capabilities and technical procedures needed to permit content providers, content distributors, Internet service providers, software developers, and device manufacturers to reliably encode, transport, receive, and render video description of non-consumer generated video programming and emergency information, delivered using Internet protocol or digital broadcast television, as well as a recommendation for technical standards to address these performance objectives; · Identification of additional protocols, technical capabilities, and technical procedures beyond those available as of October 8, 2010, for the delivery of video description of non-consumer generated video programming and emergency information delivered using Internet protocol or digital broadcast television that are necessary to meet the performance objectives identified above; · Recommendations for regulations necessary to ensure compatibility between non- consumer generated video programming delivered using Internet protocol or digital broadcast television and devices capable of receiving and displaying such programming, in order to facilitate access to video description and emergency information; · Recommendations for standards, protocols, and procedures to make user interfaces and functions of apparatus designed to receive or display video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound (including apparatus designed to receive or display video programming transmitted by services using Internet protocol) accessible to and usable by people with disabilities; · Recommendations for standards, protocols, and procedures used to enable access to on-screen text menus and other visual indicators via audio output, so that such menus or indicators are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities; and · Recommendations for standards, protocols, and procedures used to enable access to video programming information and selection provided on video programming guides and menus by means of a navigation device, guide, or menu, so that such information and selection are made available in real-time to people who are blind or visually impaired.