Accessible Telecommunications Equipment and Services

Section 255 of the Communications Act requires telecommunications products and services to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities if readily achievable; without much difficulty or expense. If manufacturers cannot make their products accessible, then they must design products to be compatible with adaptive equipment, such as peripheral devices and specialized customer premises equipment that are commonly used by people with disabilities, where readily achievable. For example, this requires the ability to use TTYs with telephone equipment.

For more information, please see the FCC Consumer Factsheet for Section 255 at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/section255.html [1]. This factsheet provides a description of the products and services covered by Section 255; definitions; how companies should identify and evaluate access needs, and review products and services; related issues; and about filing complaints with the FCC.