Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026

Overview

Bill: S. 4322 (119th Congress) — Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026. Introduced April 16, 2026 by Senator Markey, with Senator LUJAN as a co-sponsor. The measure seeks to update and expand the 2010 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) to cover evolving technologies and newer forms of video programming, online delivery, and playback devices. It creates new requirements for closed captioning, audio description, sign language, video conferencing accessibility, consumer-created media, and emerging technologies, while strengthening enforcement and reporting.

Main purpose and intent

• Modernize CVAA to ensure accessible communications and video programming across traditional and internet-delivered formats.
• Extend accessibility obligations to online and consumer-generated content, new playback devices, and emerging technologies (AI, AR/VR, etc.).
• Improve accessibility enforcement, complaints data, and stakeholder input through an advisory committee and Congress-facing reporting.

Key provisions and changes

• Title I: Closed Captioning and Audio Description

  • Redefines and expands terms for video programming to include online video programming and consumer-generated media.
  • Requires revised and new CVAA captioning and description standards for:
  • Online video programming (with deadlines: initial rulemaking within 12 months after recommendations; phased deadlines 2–6 years after revised regs).
  • Older online programming and consumer-generated media (tools for user-added captions; notices and guidance for users).
  • Establishes a Caption Quality Update process: regular FCC updates every 4 years to reflect tech advances.
  • Adds a Sign Language in Video Programming requirement and a comprehensive Advisory Committee to guide standards and implementation.

• Title II: Video Playback Apparatuses

  • Updates FCC regulation to require accessibility features in playback devices and protocols (captioning, audio description) and to ensure “readily accessible” controls.
  • Requires hardware and software compatibility with assistive technologies and the option for dedicated accessibility channels when feasible.

• Title III: Communications Services

  • Video Conferencing: Adds new definitions (Visual Interpretation Services) and mandates interim and long-term accessibility standards for interoperable video conferencing services and equipment, including UI simplicity, speech recognition, sign language support, screen reader compatibility, and hardware integration with assistive tech.
  • Relay Services: Expands definitions to include communication facilitators, Deaf interpreters, direct video calling, and improves emergency-related relay provisions.

• Title IV: Customer Service

  • Requires direct video calling services to be usable by sign-language users for customer support, with FCC rules to ensure parity with general public support.

• Title V: Emerging Technology

  • Establishes a new Emerging Technology Accessibility section (Sec. 723) to study opportunities and barriers posed by AI, AR/VR, XR, wearables, IoT, and other advances.
  • Requires regulatory updates within 2 years of each required report to ensure accessibility.

• Title VI: Enforcement and Reporting

  • Expands enforcement triggers to include a broad set of accessibility provisions across CVAA-related sections.
  • Requires periodic accessibility complaint reporting to Congress (every 3 years) detailing complaints, actions taken, timeliness, and appellate/mandamus data.
  • Clarifies that CVAA updates do not supersede other disability civil rights laws.

• Title VII (Emerging Technology) and related amendments: Technical conforming changes to CVAA references and related rules.

Affected entities and individuals

• Broadly affects video programming publishers, online platforms, streaming services, consumer electronics manufacturers, navigation device providers, and service providers offering video/telecommunications services.
• Specifically targets accessibility for individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, blind or low vision, cognitive disabilities, and those who rely on sign language.
• Establishes an Advisory Committee including disability representatives, industry, and technical experts.

Procedural and timeline notes

• FCC to issue initial rulemaking and recommendations under CVTA 2026 (Sections 106(d)(1)(2)) with varying deadlines (2–6 years for online captioning/description; 18–24 months for online captioning/description updates).
• Advisory Committee established within 60 days of enactment; first meeting within 45 days of appointment.
• Regular updates and reviews: caption quality updates every 4 years; emerging technology regulations within 2 years of each report.
• National DeafBlind equipment program funding increases to $20 million (inflation-adjusted) and expanded eligibility criteria.

Bottom line

S. 4322 sets a comprehensive, forward-looking framework to ensure that evolving video, communication, and deployment technologies remain accessible, with concrete timelines, oversight, and mechanisms to adapt to new tech and user needs.