FCC Consumer Guide: Telecommunications Access for People with Disabilities

Filing a complaint with the FCC

To implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, the FCC changed the way it handles complaints about access to telecommunications services and equipment.

Before an informal complaint can be filed, consumers with disabilities (or their representatives) must request assistance from the FCC Disability Rights Office. The Disability Rights Office will work with the consumer and the company for at least 30 days to try to resolve the accessibility problem.

The best way to provide the information that the Disability Rights Office needs to assist you, is to complete the Request for Dispute Assistance (RDA Form) online at https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/RDAformEnglish. You may also download or print the RDA Form at http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/FormRDA.pdf. If you use the latter method, complete and submit your downloaded/printed request and any supporting documentation to the Disability Rights Office by email to dro@fcc.gov, by fax to 202-418-0037, or by mail to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Disability Rights Office
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

If you are unable to obtain or use an RDA Form, your request for assistance should include the following:

• your name, address, telephone number, and email address

• if communication by telephone or email is not accessible to you, your preferred method of communication

• the name of the manufacturer or service provider

• the type of device, model number, and any software involved

• when you purchased, acquired, or used (or tried to purchase, acquire, or use) the service or equipment

• when you became aware of the accessibility problem

• the way the service or equipment is not accessible to or usable by you

• if you contacted the company about your accessibility problem, how the company responded

• what you want the company to do to resolve your accessibility problem

• any other information or documentation you think may help describe or resolve your accessibility problem

Your Request for Dispute Assistance will be assigned a case number. If your accessibility problem is not resolved in 30 days, you have two choices:  

• you may request an additional 30 days for assistance to try to resolve your accessibility problem; or

• you may file an informal complaint about the accessibility problem with the FCC Enforcement Bureau.

To request an additional 30 days or file an informal complaint, contact the Disability Rights Office at 202-418-2517 (voice) or 202-418-2922 (TTY), by email to dro@fcc.gov, by fax to 202-418-0037, or by mail to the address above. You will need to provide your last name, zip code, and your Request for Dispute Assistance case number. If you take no action for 60 days after the 30-day time period ends, your case will be closed.