Guidance on new FCC Video Conferencing Rules
FCC Publishes Rules on Video Conferencing Accessibility
DA 26-228 | CG Docket No. 23-161 | Released March 9, 2026
The FCC has released its Small Entity Compliance Guide for the 2024 Video Conferencing Order (FCC 24-95). The guide spells out what video conferencing platforms must do to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities—including requirements directly relevant to Deaf and hard of hearing users who rely on sign language, captions, and VRS.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Video Conferencing Is Now a Civil Rights Issue
Video conferencing has become essential infrastructure for work, education, healthcare, and civic participation. Yet accessibility on these platforms remains inconsistent. This order establishes enforceable performance objectives that require platforms to support sign language communication, accurate captioning, and relay service integration—not as optional features, but as baseline requirements.
For Deaf professionals in government, these rules directly address barriers that many of us navigate every day.
SIGN LANGUAGE ACCESS
Platforms Must Enable Sign Language Interpretation
The new Part 14 rules require interoperable video conferencing services to:
- Enable the use of sign language interpretation provided by third parties, including VRS providers
- Transmit user requests for sign language interpretation to VRS and other entities
- Provide sufficient video quality to support sign language communication
Platforms are not required to provide their own interpreters—but they must build the technical capability for participants to bring in third-party sign language services. This applies broadly to all forms of visual language, not just ASL.
USER INTERFACE CONTROLS
Participants Can Control Their Own Accessibility
The rules require platforms to give users control over accessibility-related display settings:
- Caption controls: Adjust size, font, position, color, and opacity of captions and caption backgrounds
- Window management: Minimize, expand, or relocate video windows—pin your interpreter, hide extraneous feeds
- Display names: Edit your own display name before or after joining, so interpreters and participants can identify each other quickly in large calls
These controls address a persistent pain point: being unable to pin an interpreter’s window or resize captions on platforms that lock the layout.
CAPTIONING
Captions Must Be Accurate and Synchronous
Platforms must provide at least one captioning mode that accurately and synchronously displays spoken communication. The FCC defines these terms:
- Accurately: Verbatim, in order spoken, without summarizing or paraphrasing
- Synchronously: Captions begin when speech begins, keep pace, and remain displayed long enough to be read
Platforms must also allow users to connect third-party captioning services. The rule is technology-neutral—it does not distinguish between human-generated and automatic speech recognition captions.
VRS & RELAY SERVICES
Integrated VRS in Video Conferences
The Part 64 amendments establish “integrated VRS” as a defined concept: the CA joins the video conference directly as a participant, communicating on the platform itself rather than through a separate connection. Key provisions:
- VRS providers may offer integrated service in video conferences without a telephone call
- CAs must self-identify with their name and VRS provider (e.g., in their display name)
- Billable minutes begin when the CA enters the conference, with a 5-minute window to identify the requesting VRS user
- If the requesting user drops off, the CA may remain for up to 5 additional minutes for another registered user to request service
- CAs in team interpreting may turn off video when the other CA is actively interpreting
- No advance scheduling of CAs—first-come, first-served remains in effect
- No exclusivity agreements between IVCS providers and TRS providers
KEY DATES
Compliance Timeline
PART 14 ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
January 12, 2027
Platform compliance deadline for IVCS accessibility
The Part 64 TRS amendments took effect on January 13, 2025 and are already in force. All requirements are subject to the “achievable” standard—meaning compliance must be accomplished with reasonable effort or expense, considering the company’s technical and economic circumstances.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Action Steps for Government Employees
If you use video conferencing in your federal workplace, these rules strengthen your position when requesting accessible tools and accommodations:
- Know the rules. The compliance guide is publicly available and citable. Share it with your agency’s IT and reasonable accommodations teams.
- Evaluate your platforms. Does your agency’s video conferencing platform support sign language interpretation, caption customization, and window management? If not, these requirements give you a concrete basis for requesting improvements.
- Engage your 508 coordinator. These FCC requirements complement Section 508 obligations. Work with your agency’s accessibility leads to ensure procurement decisions align with the new rules.