36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble

411.1 General (Section-by-Section Analysis)

This section addresses the accessibility of audio-visual technologies—including analog and digital televisions, tuners, personal video display devices, converter boxes, and computer equipment—by requiring such technologies to support closed and open captions. Captioning is critical for persons with hearing impairments to use and understand information presented in a video format. Specifically, proposed 411.1 provides that, where audio-visual players and displays process video with synchronized audio, they must either decode closed caption data and display open captions, or pass-through the closed captioning data stream in an accessible format. This proposal largely corresponds to existing 508 Standards §§ 1194.23(j) and 1194.24(a), and existing 255 Guidelines § 1193.37, though it differs in a few notable respects. Due to advances in technology, this proposed section neither distinguishes between analog and digital televisions, nor conditions the requirement for closed caption decoder circuitry on screen size. Additionally, the proposal substitutes the term “synchronized audio information” for “multimedia” because it is more precise and consistent with current terminology.

Question 28. Would compliance with section 411 be readily achievable for manufacturers of mobile telecommunications equipment?

411.1.1 Decoding of Closed Captions (Section-by-Section Analysis)

This section proposes that, where audio-visual players and displays process video with synchronized audio, they must decode closed caption data and support display of open captions.

411.1.2 Pass-Through of Closed Caption Data (Section-by-Section Analysis)

This section proposes that, where audio-visual players and displays process video with synchronized audio, cabling and ancillary equipment would be required to pass through caption data. High-definition multimedia cables (HDMI) carry audio and video signals, and are technically capable of passing through caption data; typically, however, caption data is not included with the audio-visual stream.