FCC Proposes Increased Audio Description Access

By Hillary Kleck

The FCC proposed rules to expand video description access to blind viewers across the country. These rules would increase the number of hours of audio described programming as well as the number of networks required to provide audio description of their shows. Additional rules also seek to create a “no backsliding” rule so that networks that fall in rankings cannot stop providing audio description and would require distributors to provide proper customer support contacts for consumers.

The proposal was met with some hesitation by a portion of the FCC commissioners. You can read each of the five statements released by the commissioners on the FCC’s website. The NPRM is seeking comments from consumers (that’s parents of blind children like you!) on the proposed rules as well as related matters such as on-demand programming access, streaming and more. The contact information for each commissioner is given below including their Twitter handle and FCC Bio page that includes a contact form.

• Email Commissioner Ajit Pai or Tweet @AjitPaiFCC
• Email Commissioner Michael O’Rielly or Tweet @mikeofcc
• Email Chairman Tom Wheeler or Tweet @TomWheelerFCC
• Email Commissioner Mignon Clyburn or Tweet @MClyburnFCC
• Email Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel or Tweet @JRosenworcel

Many blindness and audio description advocacy groups are encouraging blind indviduals and their families to reach out in support of the expansion of audio description as another step in the right direction for accessibility. Tweet your support using the link below, or consider sending out your own message on Facebook, Twitter, your blog…

Tweet this: “Hi @FCC! I support increased audio description access for blind children & adults!”