Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Chapter I

[MM Docket No. 95-176, FCC 96-71]

Closed Captioning and Video Description of Video Programming

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 adds a new

section 713, Video Programming Accessibility, to the Communications Act

of 1934, as amended. Section 713 requires the Commission to conduct

inquiries and report to Congress on the availability of video

programming with closed captioning and video descriptions. Prior to the

enactment of Section 713 on February 8, 1996, the Commission initiated

a Notice of Inquiry addressing the issues and seeking information on

closed captioning and video description, as is now required by Section

713. This Order announces the Commission's intent to use the comments

in the existing proceeding to implement Section 713 and to extend the

comment dates to ensure that sufficient time is provided to respond to

the legislative directive.

DATES: Comments are due on or before March 15, 1996, and reply comments

are due on or before April 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia A. Glauberman, Cable Services

Bureau, (202) 416-0800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's Order

in MM Docket No. 95-176, FCC 96-71, adopted February 27, 1996, and

released on February 27, 1996. The full text of the Order is available

for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC

Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,

20554, and may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor,

International Transcription Service (``ITS, Inc.''), (202) 857-3800,

2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Synopsis of the Order

1. Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-

104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996), adds a new section 713, Video Programming

Accessibility, to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (``Act'').

Section 713(a) requires the Commission to complete an inquiry within

180 days of the date of enactment (February 8, 1996) to ascertain the

level at which video programming is closed captioned. A report on the

results of this inquiry shall be submitted to Congress. Within 18

months of enactment, the Commission is required to establish

regulations and implementation schedules to ensure that video

programming is fully accessible through closed captioning consistent

with Section 713 (b) through (e). Section 713(f) requires the

Commission to commence an inquiry within six months after the date of

enactment to examine the use of video descriptions on video programming

to ensure the accessibility of video programming to persons with visual

impairments.

2. Prior to the date of enactment, the Commission issued a Notice

of Inquiry (``Notice''), summarized at 60 FR 65052 (December 18, 1995),

seeking comment on a wide range of issues relating to closed captioning

and video description of video programming. Since the existing Notice

addresses the issues that the Commission must explore in the inquiries

required by Section 713, the Commission has determined that separate

proceedings are unnecessary to implement these provisions of the Act.

3. The Order announces the Commission's intent to use the

[[Page 9964]]

comments in the existing proceeding to implement Section 713. It also

extends the comment period until March 15, 1996, and the reply comment

period until April 1, 1996, to provide parties with an opportunity to

refine their comments and to focus on the specific information needed

to implement Section 713 of the Act.

Ordering Clauses

4. It is ordered, that the time for filing comments in the above-

captioned proceeding is extended to March 15, 1996, and the time for

filing reply comments is extended to April 1, 1996.

5. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections

4(i) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47

U.S.C. 154(i) and 303(r), and Section 305 of the Telecommunications Act

of 1996, Pub. L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996).

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-5823 Filed 3-11-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712-01-P