NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
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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
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
May 21, 2015 Janice Wise (202) 418-8165 
Email:  janice.wise@fcc.gov
FCC TAKES ADDITIONAL STEPS TO MAKE EMERGENCY INFORMATION IN 
TV PROGRAMMING ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND 
OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today 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 Commission seeks comment on other possible accessibility issues 
facing those who are blind or visually impaired.
These additional steps implement provisions of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video 
Accessibility Act of 2010 (“CVAA”) related to accessible emergency information.  Congress passed the 
CVAA to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the modern and innovative communications 
technologies of the 21st Century.  
The new rules adopted today require 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 Commission 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.  Today’s 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 play 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.  
Also adopted today was a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that asks for comments on 
additional issues related to the accessibility of emergency information for individuals who are blind or 
visually impaired, including:
? How to prioritize emergency information if there is more than one on-screen announcement;
? Whether information on school closings and school bus schedule changes should continue to 
be made available on the secondary audio stream; and
? Possible future requirements on multichannel video programming distributors to ensure that 
consumers have a simple and easy to use mechanism to access the secondary audio stream.
Action by the Commission May 21, 2015 by Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 15-56). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel with 
Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly approving in part and dissenting in part. Chairman Wheeler, 
Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and O’Rielly issuing statements.
-FCC-