PRIA Logo™
119-s-4322119th CongressWALLET

Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

accessibility rules for captions and audio description would be clarified and centralized across the Communications Act. The bill would require labeled, discoverable captions and audio description and give the Federal Communications Commission rulemaking power to set technical standards, timelines, responsibilities, and quality metrics with input from an Advisory Committee and periodic statutory reviews.

Show full summary
  • Viewers who rely on captions or audio description, including Spanish speakers, would get labeled and discoverable accessibility tracks and obligations that explicitly cover both English and Spanish content.
  • Broadcasters, streaming services, and programmers would see an explicit timing rule: live or near-live programming released more than 48 hours later is treated as prerecorded for accessibility obligations. The bill also updates cross-references and headings to reflect the new structure.
  • The Federal Communications Commission and its Advisory Committee would steer centralized technical standards, timelines, entity responsibilities, and quality metrics through rulemaking and scheduled statutory review cycles.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Accessible video conferencing for meetings

This bill would require interoperable video conferencing services and capable equipment to offer accessibility features within 3 years, unless not achievable. Required features would include voice-recognition, simplified accessible interfaces, screen-reader support for shared content, refreshable braille, tactile conveyance, and hands-free options. Providers may meet the rules natively or by enabling free third-party tools for users.

Captions for online and old videos

This bill would require closed captions on online video programming first made available after new FCC rules, with deadlines set between 2 and 6 years after the rules take effect. Platforms would have to provide authoring tools, timely upload notices, and guidance for consumer-generated media. The FCC would study captions and audio description for older programming and user-generated videos and could update rules based on those reports. The bill would also update definitions to clarify which online content is covered and extend caption-quality rules with 4-year reviews.

Easier accessibility on playback devices

This bill would require video playback devices to make captions, audio description, and other accessibility features 'readily accessible.' Devices would prompt users to set captions and audio-description options on first power-on or after a factory reset. Where achievable, devices would include a dedicated audio-description channel and support common assistive peripherals like refreshable braille and hands-free tech. The FCC would issue rules within 18 months assigning compliance responsibilities.

Expanded relay and 911 video access

This bill would broaden telecommunications relay services to include DeafBlind users and people with related communication needs. Within 2 years the FCC would make direct video calling, Deaf interpreter services, and communication facilitator services eligible for relay fund support. The FCC would, unless not achievable, require native dialing or one-step mobile access that sends a user's location to 911. The Commission would reassess these rules every 4 years.

More funding for DeafBlind devices

This bill would raise the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program's authorized funding to $20,000,000 and require the FCC to adjust that amount each year for inflation. The FCC would update the program rules within 18 months. The bill would expand the statutory definition of DeafBlind to explicitly include cortical or cerebral visual impairment and auditory processing disorder.

Stronger audio description and sign-language rules

This bill would require the FCC to adopt stricter audio-description quality rules within 4 years so descriptions convey key visual elements. It would require sign language presentations to be visible on screen for programming first shown after new rules. The FCC Chair would create an advisory committee to recommend technical standards and deadlines. The bill would expand FCC enforcement over accessibility violations and tighten the test for claiming an economic-burden exemption.

Regular reports on new tech accessibility

This bill would require the FCC, with the U.S. Access Board, to report within 5 years and every 5 years after on how emerging technologies affect accessibility. Within 2 years of each report, the FCC would update regulations in relevant parts of title 47 CFR as needed to address accessibility for new tech like AI, AR/VR, spatial computing, robotics, and IoT.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation