[games_access] CVAA waiver expiry

[Sandra_Uhling]

Hi Ian,

 

can you "translate" this is easy english?

Is there a result that will be there or is there something people can
collect signatures for?

What is a waiver?

 

Regards,

Sandra

 

Von: games_access [mailto:games_access-bounces at igda.org] Im Auftrag von Ian
Hamilton
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 10. Juni 2015 10:48
An: games_access at igda.org
Betreff: [games_access] CVAA waiver expiry

 

The games industry currently has a waiver from the USA's pretty stringent
video and communications accessibility laws. That waiver is is due to expire
in October. Another waiver request has now been made.

 

Personally I'd like to see a waiver for games, as a blanket law mandating
e.g. blind accessibility across all games that require communication
wouldn't do anyone any favours.

 

However, the request is recycling the same argument from last time about the
primary function of games not being communication. That seems pretty risky,
as the FCC said pretty clearly last time that they don't buy that argument,
on the basis of how many people with disabilities got in touch to tell them
how much they relied on the communication elements of gaming for social
inclusion etc.

 

But that aside, the real news is that it's partial. The original waiver was
grated for three classes: consoles, distribution platforms, and games. A
waiver renewal is not being sought for consoles and distribution platforms,
only games. 

 

So as of October, consoles and distribution platforms will be covered by the
CVAA, and have to meet some pretty thorough accessibility requirements to
avoid excluding people from video and communications.

 

Either way, the FCC is looking for public feedback:

 

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0609/DA-15-67
5A1.pdf
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0609/DA-15-6
75A1.pdf>  

 

Ian

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