36 CFR Part 1193 Telecommunications Act (Section 255) Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble

I. Need For and Final Objectives of the Guidelines.

The Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility guidelines in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under section 255(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment. Telecommunications equipment is equipment, other than customer premises equipment, used by a carrier to provide telecommunications services, and includes software integral to such equipment (including upgrades). Customer premises equipment is equipment employed on the premises of a person (other than a carrier) to originate, route, or terminate telecommunications. This includes specialized customer premises equipment as a subset. The guidelines address the access needs of individuals with disabilities affecting hearing, vision, movement, manipulation, speech, and interpretation of information while balancing the resources of manufacturers of telecommunications equipment to provide accessibility features.

The guidelines do not require retrofitting of existing equipment or retooling. These guidelines are applicable only to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so. Manufacturers may consider costs and available resources when determining whether and the extent to which compliance is required.

Implementation of Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act will bring the benefits of telecommunications to potentially 48.9 million Americans with disabilities. It is anticipated that increased access to telecommunications will positively impact employment, education and the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.