Congressman is House author of The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member and former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) approval of new regulations under the authority of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 that require the television industry to provide video descriptions. Video descriptions make video programming more accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
 
“I am pleased that the Commission has mandated a shorter timetable for complying with the law’s video description requirements despite some calls for unnecessary delay. For years, Americans with disabilities have been denied access to the latest technologies, limiting job prospects and leaving many individuals with only a narrow range of entertainment options. As the Commission continues to implement the communications and video accessibility law, it should reject efforts to dilute or delay the law’s mandates, which are intended to provide full access for Americans with disabilities to the technological tools vital to complete participation in 21st century society.”
 
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