DAC Approves Report From Direct Video Calling Working Group
The FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee approved a report Thursday on best practices for implementing and promoting the use of direct video calling from its Direct Video Calling Working Group (see 2304260060). The group also heard from other working group leaders, plus updates from Commissioner Nathan Simington and FCC staff on artificial intelligence accessibility. The meeting was the first in-person meeting in three years.
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"There are a number of factors, including costs, capacity, and capabilities, that can go into determining which solution is most appropriate for a call center contemplating the implementation of DVC," said Richard Ray, DVC WG chair and National Emergency Number Association accessibility committee co-chair. Ray cited several best practices for companies or government agencies considering the technology, including after-hours services or notices, web-based widgets, plus community outreach and education.
DAC offered several recommendations for promoting and supporting DVC operations. It suggested the FCC consider increasing the availability of its TRS numbering directory to organizations interested in implementing the technology. The group said the FCC should work with the General Services Administration and others to contact agencies whose constituencies could benefit from DVC. It also recommended adopting an NPRM seeking comments on what rules to adopt to ensure flexibility and quality of the service.
The group briefly discussed how DVC services would be funded but didn't include any recommendations in its report due to a pending petition from a coalition of consumer advocacy organizations to make the service eligible for Telecom Relay Service Fund support (see 2306060076). The group voted to include web-based chatbots as currently available options that could be considered for companies considering the use of DVC services.
Members heard from FCC staff on the role of AI in audio and environmental descriptions. "It is a threadbare bromide that communications technology is in a state of evolution," Simington told the group. AI "might be another modest step in our evolution," he said, adding it "gives the appearance of tractability" as automatic speech recognition continues to improve.
Wireless Bureau attorney adviser Arpan Sura noted the FCC is seeking comment by Oct. 3 on how to best measure and conceptualize spectrum usage, any potential drawbacks, and how to ensure that data can be used to deliver insights. "AI has the potential to expand accessibility in new ways," Sura said, saying it's important to consider existing regulations on accessibility as these technologies develop.
DAC also heard from the Audio Description WG on its progress with examining the current state of audio description and transmitting audio description files to IP programs. The working group met with several stakeholders to gain insight into the current marketplace and operational differences among existing services, said Chair Thomas Wlodkowski, Comcast vice president-accessibility. Wlodkowski said a draft report was submitted to the full group Wednesday. "I believe ... that the report is in fairly good shape," he said, saying it may be finalized by the working group "sometime in early October" so it can be ready for the group's next meeting.