FCC Regulation Document

Part: 
Topic: C

47 CFR Part 7 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                   47 CFR Part 7 (Feb. 20, 2024)
Access to Voicemail and Interactive Menu Services and Equipment by...

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 47 —Telecommunication
Chapter I —Federal Communications Commission
Subchapter A —General

Part 7 Access to Voicemail and Interactive Menu Services and Equipment by
        People with Disabilities
  Subpart A Scope—Who Must Comply With These Rules?
      § 7.1 Who must comply with these rules?
  Subpart B Definitions
      § 7.3 Definitions.
  Subpart C Obligations—What Must Covered Entities Do?
      § 7.5 General Obligations.
      § 7.7 Product design, development, and evaluation.
      § 7.9 Information pass through.
      § 7.11 Information, documentation, and training.
  Subpart D Enforcement
      § 7.15 Generally.
      § 7.16 Informal or formal complaints.

PART 7—ACCESS TO VOICEMAIL AND INTERACTIVE MENU
SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 208, 255, and 303(r).

Source: 64 FR 63255, Nov. 19, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—Scope—Who Must Comply With These Rules?
§ 7.1 Who must comply with these rules?
The rules in this part apply to:

      (a) Any provider of voicemail or interactive menu service;

      (b) Any manufacturer of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment which performs a
          voicemail or interactive menu function.

Subpart B—Definitions

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                                                                                                               47 CFR 7.3
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§ 7.3 Definitions.
     (a) The term accessible shall mean that:

           (1) Input, control, and mechanical functions shall be locatable, identifiable, and operable in accordance
               with each of the following, assessed independently:

                 (i)   Operable without vision. Provide at least one mode that does not require user vision.

                (ii) Operable with low vision and limited or no hearing. Provide at least one mode that permits
                     operation by users with visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200, without relying on audio
                     output.

                (iii) Operable with little or no color perception. Provide at least one mode that does not require user
                      color perception.

                (iv) Operable without hearing. Provide at least one mode that does not require user auditory
                     perception.

                (v) Operable with limited manual dexterity. Provide at least one mode that does not require user
                    fine motor control or simultaneous actions.

                (vi) Operable with limited reach and strength. Provide at least one mode that is operable with user
                     limited reach and strength.

                (vii) Operable with a Prosthetic Device. Controls shall be operable without requiring body contact or
                      close body proximity.

                (viii) Operable without time-dependent controls. Provide at least one mode that does not require a
                       response time or allows a response to be by-passed or adjusted by the user over a wide range.

                (ix) Operable without speech. Provide at least one mode that does not require user speech.

                (x) Operable with limited cognitive skills. Provide at least one mode that minimizes the cognitive,
                    memory, language, and learning skills required of the user.

           (2) All information necessary to operate and use the product, including but not limited to, text, static or
               dynamic images, icons, labels, sounds, or incidental operating cues, comply with each of the
               following, assessed independently:

                 (i)   Availability of visual information. Provide visual information through at least one mode in
                       auditory form.

                (ii) Availability of visual information for low vision users. Provide visual information through at least
                     one mode to users with visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 without relying on audio.

                (iii) Access to moving text. Provide moving text in at least one static presentation mode at the
                      option of the user.

                (iv) Availability of auditory information. Provide auditory information through at least one mode in
                     visual form and, where appropriate, in tactile form.

                (v) Availability of auditory information for people who are hard of hearing. Provide audio or
                    acoustic information, including any auditory feedback tones that are important for the use of
                    the product, through at least one mode in enhanced auditory fashion (i.e., increased
                    amplification, increased signal-to-noise ratio, or combination).

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                (vi) Prevention of visually-induced seizures. Visual displays and indicators shall minimize visual
                     flicker that might induce seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.

               (vii) Availability of audio cutoff. Where a product delivers audio output through an external speaker,
                     provide an industry standard connector for headphones or personal listening devices (e.g.,
                     phone-like handset or earcup) which cuts off the speaker(s) when used.

               (viii) Non-interference with hearing technologies. Reduce interference to hearing technologies
                      (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices) to the lowest
                      possible level that allows a user to utilize the product.

                (ix) Hearing aid coupling. Where a product delivers output by an audio transducer which is normally
                     held up to the ear, provide a means for effective wireless coupling to hearing aids.

          (3) Real-Time Text. Voice communication services subject to this part that are provided over wireless IP
              facilities and handsets and other text-capable end user devices used with such service that do not
              themselves provide TTY functionality, may provide TTY connectability and signal compatibility
              pursuant to paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, or support real-time text communications, in
              accordance with 47 CFR part 67.

     (b) The term compatibility shall mean compatible with peripheral devices and specialized customer premises
         equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve accessibility to voicemail and
         interactive menus, and in compliance with the following provisions, as applicable:

          (1) External electronic access to all information and control mechanisms. Information needed for the
              operation of products (including output, alerts, icons, on-line help, and documentation) shall be
              available in a standard electronic text format on a cross-industry standard port and all input to and
              control of a product shall allow for real time operation by electronic text input into a cross-industry
              standard external port and in cross-industry standard format. The cross-industry standard port shall
              not require manipulation of a connector by the user.

          (2) Connection point for external audio processing devices. Products providing auditory output shall
              provide the auditory signal at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector.

          (3) TTY connectability. Products which provide a function allowing voice communication and which do
              not themselves provide a TTY functionality shall provide a standard non-acoustic connection point
              for TTYs. It shall also be possible for the user to easily turn any microphone on and off to allow the
              user to intermix speech with TTY use.

          (4) TTY signal compatibility. Products, including those providing voice communication functionality,
              shall support use of all cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard signals used by TTYs.

          (5) TTY Support Exemption. Voice communication services subject to this part that are offered over
              wireless IP facilities and equipment used with such services are not required to provide TTY
              connectability and TTY signal compatibility if such services and equipment support real-time text, in
              accordance with 47 CFR part 67.

     (c) The term customer premises equipment shall mean equipment employed on the premises of a person
         (other than a carrier) to originate, route, or terminate telecommunications.

     (d) The term disability shall mean a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
         major life activities of an individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an
         impairment.

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                                                                                                             47 CFR 7.3(e)
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     (e) The term interactive menu shall mean a feature that allows a service provider or operator of CPE to
         transmit information to a caller in visual and/or audible format for the purpose of management, control, or
         operations of a telecommunications system or service; and/or to request information from the caller in
         visual and/or audible format for the purpose of management, control, or operations of a
         telecommunications system or service; and/or to receive information from the caller in visual and/or
         audible format in response to a request, for the purpose of management, control, or operations of a
         telecommunications system or service. This feature, however, does not include the capability for
         generating, acquiring, storing, transforming, processing, retrieving, utilizing, or making available
         information via telecommunications for any purpose other than management, control, or operations of a
         telecommunications system or service.

     (f) The term manufacturer shall mean an entity that makes or produces a product.

     (g) The term peripheral devices shall mean devices employed in connection with equipment covered by this
         part to translate, enhance, or otherwise transform telecommunications into a form accessible to
         individuals with disabilities.

     (h) The term readily achievable shall mean, in general, easily accomplishable and able to be carried out
         without much difficulty or expense. In determining whether an action is readily achievable, factors to be
         considered include:

           (1) The nature and cost of the action needed;

           (2) The overall financial resources of the manufacturer or service provider involved in the action (the
               covered entity); the number of persons employed by such manufacturer or service provider; the
               effect on expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such action upon the operations of the
               manufacturer or service provider;

           (3) If applicable, the overall financial resources of the parent of the covered entity; the overall size of the
               business of the parent of the covered entity with respect to the number of its employees; the number,
               type, and location of its facilities; and

           (4) If applicable, the type of operation or operations of the covered entity, including the composition,
               structure and functions of the workforce of such entity; and the geographic separateness,
               administrative or fiscal relationship of covered entity in question to the parent entity.

     (i)   The term specialized customer premises equipment shall mean customer premise equipment which is
           commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access.

     (j)   The term telecommunications equipment shall mean equipment, other than customer premises
           equipment, used by a carrier to provide telecommunications services, and includes software integral to
           such equipment (including upgrades).

     (k) The term telecommunications service shall mean the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to
         the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the
         facilities used.

     (l)   The term usable shall mean that individuals with disabilities have access to the full functionality and
           documentation for the product, including instructions, product information (including accessible feature
           information), documentation, bills and technical support which is provided to individuals without
           disabilities.

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                                                                                                         47 CFR 7.3(m)
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     (m) The term Voicemail shall mean the capability of answering calls and recording incoming messages when
         a line is busy or does not answer within a pre-specified amount of time or number of rings; receiving those
         messages at a later time; and may also include the ability to determine the sender and time of
         transmission without hearing the entire message; the ability to forward the message to another voice
         massaging customer, with and/or without an appended new message; the ability for the sender to confirm
         receipt of a message; the ability to send, receive, and/or store facsimile messages; and possibly other
         features.

     (n) The term real-time text shall have the meaning set forth in § 67.1 of this chapter.

     (o) The term text-capable end user device means customer premises equipment that is able to send, receive,
         and display text.

[64 FR 63255, Nov. 19, 1999, as amended at 82 FR 7706, Jan. 23, 2017]

Subpart C—Obligations—What Must Covered Entities Do?
§ 7.5 General Obligations.
     (a) Obligation of Manufacturers.

           (1) A manufacturer of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment covered by this
               part shall ensure that the equipment is designed, developed and fabricated so that the voicemail and
               interactive menu functions are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily
               achievable;

           (2) Whenever the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section are not readily achievable, the
               manufacturer shall ensure that the equipment is compatible with existing peripheral devices or
               specialized customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve
               access, if readily achievable.

     (b) Obligation of Service Providers.

           (1) A provider of voicemail or interactive menu shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable
               by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.

           (2) Whenever the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are not readily achievable, the service
               provider shall ensure that the service is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized
               customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access, if
               readily achievable.

[64 FR 63255, Nov. 19, 1999, as amended at 88 FR 55584, Aug. 16, 2023]

§ 7.7 Product design, development, and evaluation.
     (a) Manufacturers and service providers shall evaluate the accessibility, usability, and compatibility of
         equipment and services covered by this part and shall incorporate such evaluation throughout product
         design, development, and fabrication, as early and consistently as possible. Manufacturers and service
         providers shall identify barriers to accessibility and usability as part of such a product design and
         development process.

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                                                                                                          47 CFR 7.7(b)
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     (b) In developing such a process, manufacturers and service providers shall consider the following factors, as
         the manufacturer deems appropriate:

           (1) Where market research is undertaken, including individuals with disabilities in target populations of
               such research;

           (2) Where product design, testing, pilot demonstrations, and product trials are conducted, including
               individuals with disabilities in such activities;

           (3) Working cooperatively with appropriate disability-related organizations; and

           (4) Making reasonable efforts to validate any unproven access solutions through testing with individuals
               with disabilities or with appropriate disability-related organizations that have established expertise
               with individuals with disabilities.

§ 7.9 Information pass through.
Telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment shall pass through cross-manufacturer, non-
proprietary, industry-standard codes, translation protocols, formats or other information necessary to provide
telecommunications in an accessible format, if readily achievable. In particular, signal compression technologies
shall not remove information needed for access or shall restore it upon decompression.

§ 7.11 Information, documentation, and training.
     (a) Manufacturers and service providers shall ensure access to information and documentation it provides to
         its customers, if readily achievable. Such information and documentation includes user guides, bills,
         installation guides for end-user installable devices, and product support communications, regarding both
         the product in general and the accessibility features of the product. Manufacturers shall take such other
         readily achievable steps as necessary including:

           (1) Providing a description of the accessibility and compatibility features of the product upon request,
               including, as needed, in alternate formats or alternate modes at no additional charge;

           (2) Providing end-user product documentation in alternate formats or alternate modes upon request at
               no additional charge; and

           (3) Ensuring usable customer support and technical support in the call centers and service centers
               which support their products at no additional charge.

     (b) Manufacturers and service providers shall include in general product information the contact method for
         obtaining the information required by paragraph (a) of this section.

     (c) In developing, or incorporating existing training programs, manufacturers and service providers shall
         consider the following topics:

           (1) Accessibility requirements of individuals with disabilities;

           (2) Means of communicating with individuals with disabilities;

           (3) Commonly used adaptive technology used with the manufacturer's products;

           (4) Designing for accessibility; and

           (5) Solutions for accessibility and compatibility.

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                                                                                                          47 CFR 7.15
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Subpart D—Enforcement
§ 7.15 Generally.
     (a) For purposes of §§ 7.15 through 7.16, the term “manufacturers” shall denote any manufacturer of
         telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment which performs a voicemail or
         interactive menu function.

     (b) All manufacturers of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment and all providers
         of voicemail and interactive menu services, as defined under this subpart, are subject to the enforcement
         provisions specified in the Act and the rules in this chapter.

     (c) The term “provider” shall denote any provider of voicemail or interactive menu service.

[83 FR 44842, Sept. 4, 2018]

§ 7.16 Informal or formal complaints.
Any person may file either a formal or informal complaint against a manufacturer or provider alleging violations of
section 255 or this part subject to the enforcement requirements set forth in §§ 14.30 through 14.38 of this chapter.

[83 FR 44842, Sept. 4, 2018]

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