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Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§255 Access by Persons with Disabilities

Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER II — COMMON CARRIERS › Part II — Development of Competitive Markets › § 255

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Manufacturers of telecom equipment and companies that provide telecom services must make their products and services usable by people with disabilities when it is readily achievable to do so. If full accessibility is not readily achievable, they must at least make the equipment or service work with common assistive devices people with disabilities already use, when that is readily achievable. Disability — meaning in 42 U.S.C. 12102(2)(A). Readily achievable — meaning in 42 U.S.C. 12181(9). The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, with the Commission, had to create accessibility guidelines within 18 months after Feb 8, 1996, and must update them periodically. No private lawsuits are allowed to enforce these rules; only the Commission can handle complaints.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §255

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions
As used in this section
(1) Disability
(2)Readily achievable
The term “readily achievable” has the meaning given to it by section 12181(9) of title 42.
(b)Manufacturing
A manufacturer of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment shall ensure that the equipment is designed, developed, and fabricated to be accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.
(c)Telecommunications services
A provider of telecommunications service shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.
(d)Compatibility
Whenever the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) are not readily achievable, such a manufacturer or provider shall ensure that the equipment or service is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access, if readily achievable.
(e)Guidelines
Within 18 months after February 8, 1996, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall develop guidelines for accessibility of telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment in conjunction with the Commission. The Board shall review and update the guidelines periodically.
(f)No additional private rights authorized
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any private right of action to enforce any requirement of this section or any regulation thereunder. The Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any complaint under this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 12102 of title 42, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was amended generally by Pub. L. 110–325, § 4(a), Sept. 25, 2008, 122 Stat. 3555, and, as so amended, provisions formerly appearing in par. (2)(A) are now contained in par. (1)(A).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 255

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110