03.26.2019
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Updates
As of January 1, 2019, video game developers and publishers are now subject to certain accessibility requirements under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) that apply to manufacturers and providers of advanced communications services (ACS). Among other things, video game developers and publishers are required to keep records of their efforts to comply with the ACS accessibility requirements, and they must submit annual recordkeeping compliance certifications to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the first of which is due for video game developers and publishers on April 1, 2020. This update provides a summary of ACS accessibility requirements and enforcement mechanisms, and offers video game developers and publishers best practice tips on how to facilitate ACS compliance.
Background
Enacted in 2010, the CVAA updated existing accessibility regulations to cover modern communications technologies. In relevant part, it requires manufacturers and providers of ACS to make their ACS offerings accessible to people with disabilities, subject to certain exceptions. The CVAA specifically defines ACS as (1) interconnected voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service; (2) non-interconnected VoIP service; (3) electronic messaging service; and (4) interoperable video conferencing service. Text messaging, email, instant messaging and video communications services are examples [...]