Accessibility
21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
If your site embeds video — especially anything previously broadcast on TV — closed captions are required. CVAA also covers advanced communications services (VoIP, video chat, messaging).
What it is
A 2010 U.S. law amending the Communications Act to extend disability-access requirements to internet-based communications and video. The FCC's implementing rules require closed captioning of internet-delivered video that previously aired on U.S. TV, and accessibility for advanced communications services (real-time text, VoIP, video conferencing).
Why it matters
Distinct from WCAG: CVAA targets media and communications specifically. Streaming services, video platforms, and any site embedding previously-broadcast clips face FCC enforcement — including fines up to $100K/day per violation.
Who it applies to
U.S.-facing services that distribute video previously aired on TV, or that provide advanced communications services (VoIP, video calls, messaging).
- Site types: Media / Streaming, SaaS / Product, E-commerce, News / Publisher, Corporate / B2B
- Jurisdictions: United States
How WQI scores it
Web Quality Index considers this standard satisfied when all of the 4 supporting factors pass.
| # | Factor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Accessibility statement page | planned |
| 54 | Image alt text coverage | planned |
| 57 | ARIA labels presence and validity | planned |
| 58 | Skip-to-content link | planned |
0 of 4 supporting factors are currently collected. Sites where the remaining 4 haven't been measured will show as partial or unknown on this standard until the data lands.
Related standards
Standards that share factors with this one
Auto-computed from overlapping factor tickets in satisfiedBy, excluding standards already listed under "See also" above. Strong overlap suggests these standards rise and fall together when sites are scored.
Other references
- regulation FCC closed captioning rules for internet video
- other CVAA (Wikipedia)