Before you can file a Communications Accessibility Informal Complaint, you must request assistance from the FCC Disability Rights Office to resolve your accessibility problem.
When you file your complaint with the FCC Enforcement Bureau:
- Assistance from the FCC Disability Rights Office to resolve your accessibility problem will end.
- To request assistance from the FCC Disability Rights Office to resolve your accessibility problem, you must withdraw your complaint.
- You may file your complaint again if your accessibility problem is not resolved.
Your Complaint
- The FCC Enforcement Bureau will review your complaint.
- If your complaint does not have the information needed to show a possible violation of the law, or is missing information necessary to complete your filing, the Enforcement Bureau will dismiss your complaint, but you will have an opportunity to file it again. If your complaint is dismissed, you may re-file your complaint adding information as necessary. You will be assigned a new complaint number when you re-file.
- If your complaint is complete in all respects for filing, including having the information needed to show a possible violation of the law, the Enforcement Bureau will send your complaint to the company (or companies) that you identify in your complaint (called the "Defendant").
Defendant's Answer
- The Defendant must answer your complaint within 20 days from the date it receives your complaint.
- The Defendant will send you a copy of its answer or a summary of its answer.
Your Reply
- You are not required to reply to the Defendant's answer.
- If you choose to reply, you must reply within 10 days from the date you receive the Defendant's answer.
- In your reply, you may respond only to what the Defendant says in its answer. You may not raise new issues in your reply.
- Send your reply to the Enforcement Bureau by e-mail to EBCVAA@fcc.gov, fax to 202-418-7223, or mail to the following address:
Attn: CVAA, Telecommunications Consumers Division
Enforcement Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554 - Include your complaint number in the subject line of your e-mail, or at the top of your fax or letter. Failure to include your complaint number may result in your reply not being considered as the Enforcement Bureau reviews the case.
- You must send a copy of your reply to the Defendant.
You and the Defendant May Resolve Your Complaint
- You and the Defendant may talk to each other at any time to resolve your complaint by mutual agreement.
- You may withdraw your complaint and request dispute assistance from the FCC Disability Rights Office to resolve your accessibility problem.
- If you and the Defendant resolve your complaint or you withdraw your complaint, you must tell the Enforcement Bureau by sending an e-mail to EBCVAA@fcc.gov, fax to 202-418-7223, or mail to the following address:
Attn: CVAA, Telecommunications Consumers Division
Enforcement Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554 - Include your complaint number in the subject line of your e-mail, or at the top of your fax or letter.
The Enforcement Bureau Will Decide Your Complaint
- The Enforcement Bureau will notify you and the Defendant about the Enforcement Bureau's decision.
Additional Resources
Information about requesting and filing a Communications Accessibility Informal Complaint form is available in the following guide: File an Informal Accessibility Complaint.
If you need assistance, please contact the FCC Disability Rights Office at dro@fcc.gov or call 202-418-2517 (voice), or 1-844-432-2275 (videophone).