On April 30, 2015, the FCC released its tentative agenda for the Commission’s May 21 Open Meeting May 2015 Tentative Open Meeting Agenda.  The Agenda includes consideration of a proposal to extend the FCC’s disability access requirements for emergency alerts to so-called “second screens.”  These “second screens include “tablets, smartphones, laptops and similar devices.”  The decision and further notice of proposed rulemaking is expected to create additional requirements to ensure the blind and visually impaired have access to emergency information that is included in video programming.

Interested parties may continue to advocate their views to the FCC on the proposed new requirements until the official open meeting agenda is released on May 14, 2015.

If you have questions about this Alert, disability access requirements, or would like to submit your views on the proposed regulations to the FCC, please contact Robert Jackson at 703-714-1316 – rhj@commlawgroup.comor Chris Canter at 703-714-1308 – cac@commlawgroup.com