---
title: FCC Extends Waiver of Disabilities Access Requirements for E-Readers By a Year
date: 2015-01-29T11:24:48-05:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/commlaw-monitor/fcc-extends-waiver-of-disabilities-access-requirements-for-e-readers-by-a-year"
section: Blog Posts
---
# FCC Extends Waiver of Disabilities Access Requirements for E-Readers By a Year

 January 29, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

[![iStock_000008141839Large](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.kelleydrye.com/content/uploads/blogs/comm-law-monitor/2015/01/iStock_000008141839Large-150x112.jpg)](http://www.fcc.gov/document/one-year-waiver-acs-requirements-e-readers)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an [order](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.kelleydrye.com/content/uploads/blogs/comm-law-monitor/2015/01/E-Reader-Waiver-Extension-Order-DA-15-117.pdf) waiving the disabilities access compliance requirements for a distinct, narrow class of e-readers for an additional year – until January 28, 2016.

Last January, the FCC granted a request filed by the Coalition of E-Reader Manufacturers (“Coalition”) seeking a waiver of the Commission’s disabilities access rules as applied to e-readers, which was set to expire today. *See* our [blog post ](http://www.commlawmonitor.com/2014/01/articles/disabilities-access/fcc-grants-temporary-waiver-of-disabilities-access-rules-for-basic-e-readers/)from January 28, 2014. Today’s order extends the waiver for one year, but denies the Coalition’s request for a permanent waiver.

In extending the waiver, the FCC found that e-readers remain capable of accessing advanced communications services (ACS), but the primary purpose of e-readers (text reading) has not changed. This determination was based on an FCC analysis of the record and an independent review of the manufacturer marketing materials for e-readers. However, the order noted that ​“if ACS features on the next generation of these devices are featured more prominently, and, for example, begin to be utilized regularly in education, employment, and as a tool of social integration, it is conceivable that mobile communication in the online e-reader environment may become a co-primary purpose of basic e-reader devices.”

 

 **Tags:** [21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act](https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/commlaw-monitor/tags/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act), [CVAA](https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/commlaw-monitor/tags/cvaa)

 

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