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Public Policy

The goal of the Disability Policy Collaboration is to impact national public policy for people with developmental disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, and their friends, families and loved ones.

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Technology

Video Description Public Notice

Source: Federal Communications Commission

THE CONSUMER INFOMRATION BUREAU REMINDS THE PUBLIC THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VIDEO DESCRIPTION FOR VIDEO PROGRAMMING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2002.

MM DOCKET NO. 99-339

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind the disability community and video programming distributors that the implementation of the Commission's video description rules for video programming will become effective April 1, 2002. Video description is the description of key visual elements in programming, inserted into natural pauses in the audio of programming designed to make television programming more accessible to the many Americans who have visual disabilities. This technology enables individuals to "hear what they cannot see." Video description provides the many benefits of television to the blind and low vision community and to individuals with learning disabilities.

Under the new rules adopted July 21, 2000 by the Commission, broadcast stations and multi-channel video programming distributors must begin providing programming with video description no later than June 2002. The Commission encouraged affected parties to make necessary arrangements to describe the programming, and to upgrade their equipment and infrastructure before the effective date arrives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PUBLIC NOTICE CONTACT: Consumer Information Bureau, Disabilities Rights Office: Dana Jackson (202) 418-2247 (voice) or (202) 418-7898 (TTY) or the Consumer Information Bureau's Disabilities Rights Office (202) 418-2517 (voice) or (202) 418-0189 (TTY).