Communications Technology

Find information on state and federal laws governing communications technology. This page includes resources and contacts if further assistance is needed. This section is not intended to be used for legal advice.

On this page:

• Telecommunications Access
• Relay Services
• Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program
• Utility Assistance
• Next Generation 9-1-1
• Resources
• Federal Laws
• Contact

Telecommunications Access

(Texas Utilities Code, Section 51.001)

• Provides for accessible, available, and usable telecommunications services for people with disabilities.

Relay Services

(Texas Utilities Code, Sections 56.102 - 56.112)

• Provides for statewide telecommunications relay service so that people who can hear can communicate with people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities.

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program

(Texas Utilities Code, Sections 56.151 - 56.155)

• Provides for a specialized telecommunications device assistance program to assist in the purchase of telecommunication devices for people with disabilities.

Utility Assistance Program

(Texas Utilities Code, Section 17.007)

• Provides an assistance program for people with low incomes through discounts in telephone and electrical service.

Next Generation 9-1-1

(Health and Safety Code, Section 771.0713)

• Creates a fund for the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 which enables people to contact 9-1-1 through text messaging or other modern means of communication.

Resources

• Texas Health and Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
  -Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP)
• Public Utility Commission
  -Relay Texas Overview
  -Utility Assistance
• Commission on State Emergency Communications
  -Next Generation 9-1-1

Federal Laws

Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act 

• Establishes relay services and requirements for telecommunication compatibility.  

Telecommunications Act of 1996

• Requires closed captioning on video programming.

Hearing Aid Compatibility Act

• Requires telephones and handsets to be compatible with hearing aids.

Twenty- First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

• Requires closed captioning on streaming video programming.
• Requires audio descriptions on streaming video programming.
• Requires televisions and remote controls to be accessible to blind and low vision users.
• Requires hearing aid compatibility for televisions.

Contact

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Center
Disability Rights Office
202-418-2517 (Voice)
1-8444-432-2275 (Video Phone)
[email protected]