Q&A: Bill would make Internet more accessible to people with disabilities

H.R. 3101, also known as the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, was introduced June 26, 2009, and was the subject of subcommittee hearings on June 10. It still has a long way to go before passage.

The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and has 50 co-sponsors, would amend the Communications Act of 1934. It's primarily an effort to improve access to the Internet for people with disabilities by requiring that all Internet connected products and services be accessible by Americans with all disabilities. That would include requiring closed captions for all videos on the Web, except those generated by users (think YouTube), and descriptive video.

Generally speaking, people in the business of making consumer electronics are not in favor of this bill, arguing that you can't require every new technology to be responsive to every disability and that to do so would create an undue burden on the industry. Backing the bill are advocates for the disabled and key communications and video programming providers.

Why are key communications and video programming providers, such as Verizon and AT&T, in favor? Some think it's because the bill would put fees on such currently free VoIP (Voice over Internet providers) services such as Skype and other competitors.