From the newsroom of the TV Technology News, Falls Church, Virginia, Friday, July 15, 2005 .....

FCC Launches Closed-Captioning Review, Adopts VSR Rules

The FCC opened a proceeding to assess how its closed-captioning rules are working. The proceeding seeks comments on compliance and quality issues that were raised in a petition filed by several organizations doing advocacy for the deaf.

A few of those issues include adopting standards for transcription accuracy; creating additional procedures for addressing technical problems; standardizing monitoring mechanisms; changing the complaint process; instituting fines for noncompliance; requiring compliance reports; and banning the use of electronic newsroom captioning as a substitute for closed captioning beyond the top 25 markets.

The commission also adopted new rules for video relay service, which allows communications in sign language via a communications assistant and a video link. The new rules establish mandatory speed-of-answer; require VRS to be offered 24/7, and permit VRS providers to be compensated for providing VRS mail. Round-the-clock service will be mandatory for providers to receive compensation from the Interstate telecommunications relay service fund.

In a separate item, the FCC ruled that Spanish-translation VRS is compensable from the save fund.

© 2005 IMAS Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

+------------------------------------------------------
Do not forward this news/information. Tell your friends to subscribe directly to USA-L News at http://www.deaftimes.com

A public service of Creative Designers. Copyright 2005.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you wish to reprint this article, you are hereby required to obtain copyright permission from the publisher of the article, not USA-L News.

Deaf Times is not responsible for the content of USA-L News.
+------------------------------------------------------