Disability Access Requirements Extended to VOIP Services

June 5, 2007

The Federal Communications Commission has extended the disability access requirements of Sections 225 and 255 of the Communications Act, which currently apply to traditional phone services, to providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and to manufacturers of specially designed equipment used to provide those services. Section 255 of the Communications Act requires manufacturers of "telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment" and providers of "telecommunications service" to ensure that such equipment or service is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable. In adopting Section 255, Congress sought to ensure that all Americans, including people with disabilities, could benefit from advances in telecommunications services and equipment. For more information, read FCC's press release.