NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
July 2, 2012 Priscilla Argeris, (202) 418-2400
priscilla.argeris@fcc.gov
FCC COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL ON EXPANDING ACCESS TO
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
Washington, D.C.—On July 1, 2012, the video description rules adopted by the Federal 
Communications Commission pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video 
Accessibility Act went into effect. In addition, the agency’s Consumer and Governmental 
Affairs Bureau announced a new $10 million program to assist deaf-blind individuals with 
access to communications equipment, also under the same law.  
In response, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel stated:
"With the start of this month, we reach a new milestone in accessibility with video 
description. It has been a long time in the making. After all, it was 22 years ago that the 
Americans with Disabilities Act first became law. It was more than a decade ago that the FCC 
first plowed new ground and required video description to accompany popular television 
programming.  Though the courts brought this early progress to a halt, Congress stepped in to 
right this wrong with additional authority and a groundbreaking new law—The Twenty-First 
Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. 
“Though there has been delay, the benefit is no less sweet. Now, more than 21 million 
visually-impaired Americans will be able to access television programming with video 
description. This widens the range of news and entertainment options available to the visually-
impaired and helps facilitate full participation in Twenty-First century life.
"We would not have reached this point without the cooperative work of so many 
providers and distributors of video programming and the tireless advocacy of so many 
champions in the disabilities community.  Today’s establishment of the National Deaf-Blind 
Equipment Distribution Program is more proof positive that the good work continues.  I look 
forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to see that the implementation of the 
Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act continues to expand access 
to communications technologies and opportunities across the country.”
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