FCC Consumer Guide: Telecommunications Access for People with Disabilities

When must manufacturers and service providers evaluate access needs?

Manufacturers and service providers must evaluate the accessibility, usability and compatibility of their equipment and services as early and consistently as possible throughout their design, development and manufacture. In addition, companies must review their products for accessibility at every "natural opportunity," including when they re-design products, upgrade services, or significantly change the way they group together product and service packages. Cosmetic changes that do not change the product's actual design may not trigger the need to reevaluate access.