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Community
July 25, 2024
5 Min

CVTA Overview: Communications, Video, & Technology Accessibility Act

We made a breakdown of what the CVTA bill entails. Read everything you need to know about new accessibility legislation for deaf and HoH!

Author:
Molly Glass
CVTA Overview: Communications, Video, & Technology Accessibility Act
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Do you need a breakdown of what the CVTA bill entails? Read on to learn more about potential new accessibility legislation for the deaf and hard of hearing and why it’s crucial for an inclusive future.

Background

With the anniversary of the ADA  on the horizon, attention nationwide is turning to the new CVTA bill, which would expand provisions for disabled citizens while keeping pace with current technology such as video conferencing and AI. This potential legislation is endorsed by many nonprofit organizations, including prominent deaf and hard of hearing organizations: 

  • Communication Service for the Deaf, 
  • Deaf in Government, 
  • Hearing Loss Association of America, 
  • Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 
  • National Association of the Deaf, 
  • National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NASADHH), and
  • Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Inc (TDI). 

The bill builds upon the standards set by the CVAA (21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act) passed in 2010. It will affect the daily experience of not only the deaf and hard of hearing but also the blind, low-vision, and deafblind citizens. 

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Why it’s Important 

The CVTA bill is vital because it ensures that as technology advances, accessibility standards keep pace, preventing the exclusion of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. By addressing current gaps in accessibility, the bill promotes inclusivity and equal access to communication, entertainment, and emergency services. It also emphasizes the need for user-friendly and customizable solutions, empowering individuals to interact with technology in a way that suits their needs. 

Potential Impact

The passing of the CVTA will change accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing in many ways. Here are a few potential impacts we can expect:

Audio Accessibility

The bill would require increased standards for closed captioning and audio descriptions on television. It would also ensure that online streaming companies have accessible content on their platforms. 

The regulations would mandate captions and audio descriptions that are user-friendly and customizable to users' preferred settings on laptops, computers, and smartphones.

Telecommunications

Improvements to accessibility for video-conferencing platforms with captioning and language settings would be seen. In addition, emergency services such as 9-1-1 would be accessible by text and other equitable means. 

The bill would also expand the FCC’s (Federal Communications Commission) powers to implement regulations for artificial intelligence, VR platforms, and any other emerging technologies.

Taking Action

A young black woman affixes a button to her shirt that says “VOTE.”
A young black woman affixes a button to her shirt that says “VOTE.”

While the bill has been introduced, it has yet to be passed by the House or Senate at this publication date. To read the full text of the legislation, see the full draft from U.S. Congress. Currently, ten state senators sponsor it. Contact your representatives by email or phone to urge them to support the bill. You can find your representative by entering your address using this link. 

In addition to contacting your representatives, encourage your social network to support the bill. Share information about the CVTA bill on social media and inform your family and friends about it. As technology advances, it is crucial that deaf and hard of hearing community is not left behind. 

Conclusion

The Communications, Video, & Technology Accessibility Act has the potential to change the lives of many Americans with all forms of disabilities. From AI to videoconferencing to emergency phone calls, it will help bring an equitable experience for  deaf and hard of hearing citizens. If we all do our part to urge our representatives to endorse and ensure its passing, we will be that much closer to an inclusive future for all.  

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Molly Glass

Molly, a Deaf mom of two CODAs, lives with her hearing partner of almost 14 years in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Profoundly Deaf since 18 months old, she enjoys writing about the lived Deaf experiences and advocacy. In her free time she reads, and is very slowly working on authoring her first book.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

CVTA Overview: Communications, Video, & Technology Accessibility Act

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.