With the arrival of hurricane season, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a public notice, reminding all broadcasters and other video programming distributors (VPD) of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing or vision disabilities. The FCC further stressed that broadcasters and VPDs outside the geographic area directly impacted by an emergency may also need to comply with these rules, accommodating displaced persons and evacuees.

The FCC outlined in their notice ways in which broadcasters and VPDs might comply with the mandates of section 79.2 of the Commission's rules for making emergency information accessible to both the aurally and visually impaired. Fact sheets summarizing the rules for closed captioning and access to emergency information rules can be found on the FCC's website.

For more information about preparing your community for hurricane season and other natural disasters, visit www.NABSpotCenter.com for preparedness and relief information.