User Interface Accessibility Deadline Dec. 20

Electronics manufacturers and pay-TV carriers must come into compliance with FCC rules for increased accessibility of user interfaces and program guides by Dec. 20, the Media Bureau said in a reminder public notice in docket 12-108. Pay-TV operators with 400,000 or fewer subscribers and pay-TV systems with 20,000 or fewer subscribers not affiliated with a carrier serving more than 10 percent of all multichannel video programming distributor subscribers have a deferred deadline of Dec. 20, 2018. The rules require accessible user interfaces for those who are blind and visually impaired, and also that companies inform consumers of accessibility options, the PN said. "Given the ample amount of time that has passed since adoption of the initial rules, we expect that covered entities have been working on the design and development of accessibility solutions that are compliant with the Commission’s rules in anticipation of the upcoming deadline."