Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509 will.wiquist@fcc.gov For Immediate Release CHAIRMAN WHEELER STATEMENT ON CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATIONS -- WASHINGTON, February 19, 2016 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler today issued the following statement on the Commission’s new closed captioning rules, released today. These rules help clarify which entities are responsible for which parts of the delivery and quality of closed captions on television: “Today’s Commission action on closed captioning is about responsibility. Those who produce and distribute video for television have a shared responsibility to ensure that closed captioning is both available and accurate. Likewise, this agency has a responsibility to seize on this moment in time which, for the first time in human history, offers us real opportunities to address the communications challenges faced by tens of millions of Americans with disabilities. We are making significant progress on this front and I thank my fellow Commissioners for joining me in this important work.” During his tenure, Chairman Wheeler has made communications accessibility issues a priority. Since November 2013, the Commission has proposed rules to make its deaf-blind equipment distribution program permanent, prioritized text-to-911 availability, improved accessibility of emergency information on “second screen” devices, adopted closed captioning quality standards, expanded hearing aid compatibility obligations to cover modern wireless devices, utilized and promoted greater use of consumer support via American Sign Language on videophones, established a Disability Advisory Committee, and sought to highlight the need for more video- described programing. The new rules, released today, are available here: http://go.usa.gov/cpDyA ### Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 TTY: (888) 835-5322 Twitter: @FCC www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations 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. Cir. 1974).