Bill · H.R. 8327· House(119-HR-8327)
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 4/16/2026
- Last activity
- 4/16/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Debbie Dingell
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026," aims to update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. It focuses on enhancing accessibility through stricter requirements for closed captioning, audio description, and sign language in video programming. The legislation also addresses video playback apparatuses, video conferencing services, and telecommunications relay services. Furthermore, it establishes an advisory committee to guide these accessibility efforts. The bill includes provisions to address emerging technologies and ensures better customer service accessibility for people with disabilities.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+9
The bill significantly expands accessibility features for video, audio description, sign language, and telecommunications services.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+8
The bill mandates expanded accessibility for closed captioning, audio description, sign language, and video conferencing for people with disabilities.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+5
The bill enhances the accessibility of online video programming and digital communication services.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The bill imposes new accessibility requirements on media providers and manufacturers that may result in significant expense.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved access to online media: The bill requires new regulations for closed captioning on online video programming and consumer generated media to ensure they are fully accessible (Sec. 102).
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Enhanced television accessibility: New regulations will require television programming to include audio description and closed captioning to help viewers (Sec. 102, Sec. 103).
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Better sign language availability: The bill mandates regulations for sign language presentation to be visible on screens during video programming (Sec. 105).
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Improved video conferencing: Providers will be required to offer features like voice recognition, simplified interfaces, and screen-reader capabilities for video conferencing (Sec. 301).
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Enhanced emergency and relay services: The bill expands telecommunications relay services to include direct video calling and support for communication facilitators and Deaf interpreters (Sec. 302).
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Increased support for the DeafBlind community: The National DeafBlind equipment distribution program will receive increased funding, rising to $20,000,000 (Sec. 303).
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Accessible customer service: Manufacturers and service providers must make customer assistance usable for individuals who rely on sign language via direct video calling (Sec. 401).
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Future-proofing accessibility: The Commission will assess how emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, impact accessibility for people with disabilities (Sec. 501).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Economic burdens on entities: The bill allows the Commission to exempt certain programs or media from accessibility requirements if providing them is determined to be economically burdensome (Sec. 103, Sec. 104).
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Potential difficulty for providers: The law acknowledges that complying with requirements for audio description or closed captioning may result in significant difficulty or expense for some entities (Sec. 104).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+9Good For Retirees+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+8
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-2
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jake AuchinclossDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California