§255 Access by Persons with Disabilities

Summary

Manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment must make their products accessible and usable by people with disabilities when it is readily achievable. Telecommunications service providers must make their services accessible when readily achievable. If full accessibility isn’t readily achievable, they must, when possible, make equipment or service work with commonly used assistive peripherals or specialized customer premises equipment. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board must create accessibility guidelines with the Commission within 18 months after February 8, 1996, and update them periodically. Defined terms: “disability” (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)(A)); “readily achievable” (42 U.S.C. 12181(9)). No private lawsuits; the Commission handles complaints.