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CVAA Compliance

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

What Is CVAA?

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 2010 to ensure that modern communications and video technologies are accessible to people with disabilities.

CVAA updates existing accessibility requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 to include digital and broadband technologies, recognizing the rapid evolution of mobile devices, streaming media, and interactive communications.

The law is enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and applies to manufacturers, service providers, and software developers in the communications and video industries.

Why CVAA Compliance Matters

CVAA protects the rights of people with hearing, vision, and speech disabilities, ensuring equal access to:

CVAA Ensures Access To:

  • Telecommunication devices and services (smartphones, VoIP, etc.)
  • Video programming, including streaming services and ondemand content
  • Emergency communications and interactive media platforms

Compliance is legally mandatory for covered entities, and failure to follow CVAA can result in FCC investigations, fines, and public enforcement actions.

👉 Determine if your organization must comply with CVAA mandates.

Key Provisions of CVAA

CVAA mandates accessibility across several key areas of communications and video technology:

Accessible Devices

Ensure that smartphones, tablets, and other communications devices are usable by people with hearing or vision disabilities.

Closed Captioning

Video programming delivered over the internet must include captions if it was previously captioned on television.

Video Description

Provide audio descriptions for key visual content in programs for blind or visually impaired audiences.

Advanced Communications

Internetbased voice, text, and video services must be accessible to users with disabilities.

👉 For deeper insights into video accessibility, explore our Video Captioning and Description Solutions.

Penalties and Legal Risks

Noncompliance with CVAA can lead to serious consequences enforced by the FCC. Covered organizations risk:

  • FCC fines, potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars per violation.
  • Mandatory corrective measures imposed by the FCC.
  • Reputational damage among consumers and accessibility advocates.
  • Potential legal claims from advocacy groups representing people with disabilities.

Organizations can avoid penalties by implementing accessible design standards and monitoring compliance regularly, reinforcing accessibility as part of overall corporate responsibility.

👉 Protect your organization from FCC fines today.

AI Summary Block

This page explains that CVAA (21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act) is a U.S. federal law enforced by the FCC. It mandates that modern communications and video technologies, including streaming content and mobile devices, must be accessible. Key provisions cover closed captioning, video description, and advanced communications accessibility. Noncompliance risks significant FCC fines and legal action.

How We Support CVAA

We help you meet FCC obligations across devices, software, and video platforms.

Protect Your Video & Communications Technology

CVAA ensures your modern digital services are accessible, preventing FCC fines and legal action.

  • Mandates captioning for streaming video.
  • Requires accessible mobile and VoIP devices.
  • Covers emergency communications access.
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