The CVAA requires advanced communications services and video programming to be accessible to people with disabilities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces this law and can fine violators up to $1.4 million.
President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) into law in 2010. The law updated the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure that modern communications technologies like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), electronic messaging services, e-mail, video conferencing, and video programming are accessible to people with disabilities.
The CVAA has two parts. Title I covers advanced communications services such as internet protocol voice and messaging tools. Title II covers video programming, including closed captioning, audio description, set-top boxes and other video programming devices, user interfaces, and emergency information.
Key insights
- The FCC enforces the CVAA with penalties of up to $144,000 per violation and roughly $1.4 million per single act.
- All TV-captioned video programming must carry closed captions when streamed as online video.
- Audio description requirements expand by 10 television viewing markets per year, covering all 210 U.S. markets by 2035.
- Manufacturers must make closed captioning display settings "readily accessible" on all covered devices by August 17, 2026.
- Interoperable video conferencing services must meet FCC accessibility objectives by January 12, 2027.
- Conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) alone does not satisfy CVAA compliance requirements.
Why is CVAA compliance important?
Approximately one in four American adults live with some form of disability. By complying with the CVAA, organizations help ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, have equitable access to communications technologies.
Meeting CVAA requirements is also critical to avoid steep fines and penalties.
CVAA Title I: Requirements for communications access
Title I of the CVAA requires that advanced communications services (ACS) and related equipment be accessible to people with disabilities.
The law covers four types of ACS:
- Interconnected VoIP
- Non-interconnected VoIP (including gaming voice chat)
- Electronic messaging services (text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail)
- Interoperable video conferencing services
Product manufacturers and communication services providers must ensure that ACS is accessible, including validating that products and services work with common assistive technology. The law requires that people with disabilities be consulted during design.
Compliance follows an "achievable" standard, meaning the work must be doable with reasonable effort or expense.
Title I also updates telecommunications relay services to support relay users across next-generation internet protocol communication services. The Telecommunications Relay Services Fund sets aside up to $10 million per year for specialized equipment for people with low income who are DeafBlind.
Phone makers must ensure built-in mobile browsers are accessible to users who are blind or have low vision, and devices must meet requirements for compatibility with hearing aids.
CVAA Title II: Requirements for video programming
Title II covers video programming on television and the internet.
The main closed captioning rule is simple: all programming shown on TV with closed captions must also carry closed captions when posted as online video.
This rule covers live video programming, recorded content, and video clips from captioned programming provided by broadcast stations and multichannel programming distributors.
The FCC sets four caption quality standards:
- Accuracy
- Synchronicity
- Completeness
- Placement
Video programming distributors must ensure reliable rendering and pass-through of closed captions to viewers.
Audio description
Audio description adds narrated details about visual elements during pauses in dialogue. This provides access to audiovisual content for people who are blind or have low vision.
Affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in covered markets must air 87.5 hours of audio-described programming per quarter during television viewing hours.
The FCC adds 10 new markets per year, with all 210 television markets covered by 2035.
Video programming devices, captions, and emergency information
All devices that receive video must support closed captions and audio description. This includes set-top boxes, streaming devices, mobile devices, and other video programming devices.
User interfaces and program guides displayed on these devices must include an audio track output.
Activating closed captioning must be as easy as pressing a button, key, or icon.
Users should also be able to adjust caption appearance including color, font, size, and opacity.
By August 17, 2026, caption display settings must be considered “readily accessible”.
The FCC evaluates four factors:
- Proximity – settings grouped together
- Discoverability – usability validated with disability groups
- Previewability – users can preview caption changes
- Consistency and persistence – settings remain stable across apps
Broadcasters must also provide emergency information in accessible formats. Text alerts must be read aloud on the Secondary Audio Program channel for users with visual disabilities.
Key CVAA compliance deadlines
| Date | Obligation | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | Annual CVAA recordkeeping certification (RCCI Registry) | Section 717 |
| August 17, 2026 | "Readily accessible" closed captioning display settings | FCC 24-79 |
| January 1, 2027 | Audio description expansion to DMAs 121-130 | FCC 23-82 |
| January 12, 2027 | Video conferencing accessibility objectives | FCC 24-95 |
CVAA enforcement and penalties
The Federal Communications Commission enforces the CVAA through its Disability Rights Office.
Fines can reach about $144,000 per violation, with a cap of roughly $1.4 million per single act.
Covered organizations must keep records of disability consultations, accessibility features, and assistive technology testing for two years.
A corporate officer must file a yearly certification by April 1 through the RCCI Registry.
How the CVAA compares to other accessibility laws
| Framework | Scope | Relationship to CVAA |
|---|---|---|
| Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Titles II and III | State/local government and public accommodations | Parallel captioning duties and broader accessibility requirements |
| Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act | Federal agency information and communications technology | Applies specifically to federal agencies |
| European Accessibility Act | Consumer products and services in the EU | Broader scope covering multiple digital services |
How does the CVAA relate to WCAG?
WCAG is the global standard for web accessibility. While it is widely referenced in laws such as Section 508 and the ADA, the CVAA defines its own accessibility requirements specific to communications technologies and video programming.
Some areas overlap, such as captioning, but the CVAA also includes requirements not covered by WCAG, including relay services and hearing aid compatibility.
This means WCAG conformance alone does not guarantee CVAA compliance.
Exceptions to the CVAA
- User-generated content is exempt from CVAA closed caption rules.
- Internet-only streaming video that never aired on U.S. television is not covered.
- Internet-based communications technologies on private networks may be exempt.