# 119-hr-8327: Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 119-hr-8327, Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6] (D-MI); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8327 - As of: 2026-09-21 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: 119-hr-8327 - Congress: 119 - Title: Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 - Status: introduced - Introduced: 2026-04-16 - Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6] (D-MI) - Cosponsors: 6 - Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications - Touches household money: yes - Last recorded action: 2026-09-21 ## Summary **Would expand accessibility across online video, devices, and video conferencing by requiring captions, audio description, and sign language so more content is usable for people with disabilities.** - Viewers with disabilities and families would see more accessible video across TV, streaming, live and near-live programming, and clips. Captions must be provided in English and Spanish and audio description and sign language standards would improve discoverability and reporting. - Online platforms and consumer-generated media creators would need to keep caption data with content, preserve it in common interoperable formats, and get authoring tools and guidance. Entities could seek exemptions if compliance is shown to be "economically burdensome" using four specified factors. - Device makers and conferencing services would face new accessibility requirements for video playback and navigation devices, including accessible activation, assistive-technology support, and a possible dedicated audio channel. The bill would also require a baseline of interoperable video conferencing accessibility within 3 years, such as screen-reader support, braille display compatibility, and voice recognition. *No federal cost estimate is provided in the sources so no fiscal projection is included.* ## Cosponsors (6) - Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (R-PA), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37] (D-TX), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (D-NY), 2026-05-13T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z - Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z ## Provisions PRIA read - Accessible video conferencing rules: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the FCC to set an accessibility baseline for interoperable video conferencing within 3 years. Rules would require features like voice recognition that accepts speech from people with speech disabilities, screen-reader support for all UI and shared content, plain-l… - Better captions, audio, and sign language: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the FCC to expand closed captioning on new online videos and push to make older online videos and user uploads more accessible. The FCC would also require audio description on new TV and online programming, set discoverability and labeling rules, and adopt technic… - Expanded relay and 9-1-1 access: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would expand the legal scope of telecommunications relay services to include help for DeafBlind people, communication facilitators, Deaf interpreters, and direct video calling services. The FCC would have to adopt rules within 2 years to make those services eligible for relay f… - More accessible playback devices: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require playback devices and navigation equipment to make captions, audio description, and other accessibility features easy to start. Devices would need a startup prompt for caption and audio settings on first power-on or after a factory reset. Where achievable, devices… - Real-time sign-language customer help: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require manufacturers, service providers, and video-related businesses that offer live customer help to provide real-time sign-language support through direct video calling, unless not achievable. The FCC would issue rules within 1 year for manufacturers and service provi… - More funding for DeafBlind equipment: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would raise annual authorized funding for the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 and require the FCC to adjust that amount each year for inflation. The bill would also broaden the legal definition of who is DeafBlind to include add… - FCC advisory panel and reports: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the FCC Chair to set up a Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign Language Advisory Committee within 60 days. The committee would give recommendations within 180 days and a sign-language visibility report within 6 months. The FCC would also have to report e… - New video and disability definitions: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would redefine 'online video programming' as video sent using Internet protocol and adopt the ADA definition of 'disability' for the law. It would explicitly exclude consumer-generated media from the statutory definition of 'video programming'. These definition changes would ta… ## Related bills - 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025 - 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act - 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act - 119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 - 119-hr-3449: Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act - 119-hr-3184: PFAS Alternatives Act ## Sources - [119-hr-8327 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8327) ## Related - [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151) - [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973) - [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977) - [119-hr-1589: American Dream and Promise Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1589) - [119-hr-3449: Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3449) - [119-hr-3184: PFAS Alternatives Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3184) - [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8327 (as of 2026-09-21).