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Legislation

While many companies, organizations, and people create audio description to make their content and performances more inclusive and accessible, multiple laws and policies establish requirements for the provision of AD in certain situations. This page summarizes the current legislation governing audio description in movie theaters and on television. There are no similar policies mandating audio description in the performing arts and at museums.

Audio Description at Movie Theaters

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers access to places of public accommodation. It requires movie theaters with digital equipment to provide patrons with audio description and closed captioning. The ADA also requires that theater staff maintain accessibility devices and, if requested, assist patrons using the devices. Theaters are responsible for informing patrons of the availability of audio description and closed captioning.

For the full text of the rule covering movie theater access, visit ADA Title III on Movie Theaters.

Audio Description on Television

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) sets the standard for audio description on cable and broadcast television. CVAA regulations are enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

As of January 1, 2025, networks in the top 110 designated market areas (DMAs) are required to pass through audio description. Each year, an additional ten markets will be added until all 210 DMAs are covered (on January 1, 2035).

According to the FCC, its rules require local TV station affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC located in the top 110 TV markets to provide 87.5 hours per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week) of audio-described programming, of which 50 hours must be prime time and/or children's programming and 37.5 hours may be any type of programming shown between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.

  • Local affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in markets smaller than the top 110 often provide audio description. Check with your local TV stations.
  • Many Public Broadcasting System stations also provide audio description on a number of programs. Check with your local PBS station.

Subscription TV systems (offered over cable, satellite or the telephone network) with 50,000 or more subscribers must provide 87.5 hours per calendar quarter (about 7 hours per week) of audio-described programming on the top five most-watched non-broadcast networks, of which 50 hours must be prime time and/or children's programming and 37.5 hours may be any type of programming shown between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.

  • The top five non-broadcast networks are TLC, HGTV, Hallmark, History, and TBS.
  • Subscription TV systems with fewer than 50,000 subscribers also usually provide audio description. Check with your subscription TV provider.

Broadcast TV stations and subscription TV systems must also pass through audio description received with their programs unless the secondary audio stream is being used for another purpose related to the programming. (Source: FCC’s Audio Description Consumer Guide)

Learn more about the CVAA:

Updating the CVAA

The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) would update the CVAA to keep pace with new and emerging technology, such as streaming, video conferencing, and augmented reality. If passed and signed into law, the CVTA would do the following:

  • Expand audio description requirements to all television programming, including all broadcast, cable, and satellite programming. Currently, only some entities are required to provide at least 87.5 hours of audio description per quarter.
  • Expand audio description requirements to Internet Protocol (IP) delivered video. The CVTA requires all video programming delivered via IP to include audio description. User-generated video would be exempted, unless the video is from entities that (a) generate non-user-generated video in the ordinary course of their business (and are otherwise covered by the Act) or (b) generate more than $1 million in annual revenue.
  • Expand audio description pass-through requirements to all broadcast designated market areas (DMAs). Currently, the top 110 broadcast DMAs are required to pass through audio description.
  • Expand audio description pass-through requirements to all national non-broadcast networks. Currently, only the top five national non-broadcast networks (that deliver programming over cable and satellite) are required to pass through audio description.
  • Make audio described video programming more accessible for consumers. The CVTA contains provisions requiring audio described video content to be labeled, searchable, and easily discoverable through video access technology, such as set-top boxes, smart televisions, tablets, and laptops. The CVTA also requires an audible tone identifying that a program has audio description, a dedicated audio track for consumers to access audio description (if achievable), and a point of contact to assist with complaints about the delivery of audio description.
  • Direct the FCC to apportion responsibilities. The CVTA requires the FCC to assign responsibility to entities within the complex video programming ecosystem to ensure the provision, quality, and pass-through of audio description in a way that maximizes accessibility and ensures the preservation and reuse of audio description as videos travel from networks and platforms. 
  • Expand access to authoring tools. The CVTA requires any entity that hosts user-generated videos to provide authoring tools that allow users who post videos to add audio description to their videos.
  • Direct the creation of audio description quality requirements. The CVTA requires the FCC to create metrics to evaluate audio description voicing, encoding, and audio engineering to ensure the quality of the consumer experience.

Learn more about the CVTA, including how to get involved in advocating for its passage, at Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technologies.