---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 255"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "255"
heading: "Access by persons with disabilities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/255"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Wire or Radio Communication"
  - "Subchapter II — Common Carriers"
  - "Part II — Development of Competitive Markets"
---

# §255. Access by persons with disabilities

- (a) **Definitions—** As used in this section—
  - (1) **Disability—** The term “[disability](/usc/47/153.md?p=18)” has the meaning given to it by section 12102(2)(A)[^1] of title 42.
  - (2) **Readily achievable—** The term “readily achievable” has the meaning given to it by [section 12181(9) of title 42](/usc/42/12181.md?p=9).
- (b) **Manufacturing—** A manufacturer of [telecommunications equipment](/usc/47/153.md?p=52) or [customer premises equipment](/usc/47/153.md?p=16) shall ensure that the equipment is designed, developed, and fabricated to be accessible to and usable by individuals with [disabilities](/usc/47/153.md?p=18), if readily achievable.
- (c) **Telecommunications services—** A provider of [telecommunications service](/usc/47/153.md?p=53) shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable by individuals with [disabilities](/usc/47/153.md?p=18), if readily achievable.
- (d) **Compatibility—** Whenever the requirements of subsections [(b)](#b) and [(c)](#c) are not readily achievable, such a manufacturer or provider shall ensure that the equipment or service is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized [customer premises equipment](/usc/47/153.md?p=16) commonly used by individuals with [disabilities](/usc/47/153.md?p=18) to achieve access, if readily achievable.
- (e) **Guidelines—** Within 18 months after February 8, 1996, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall develop guidelines for accessibility of [telecommunications equipment](/usc/47/153.md?p=52) and [customer premises equipment](/usc/47/153.md?p=16) in conjunction with the Commission. The Board shall review and update the guidelines periodically.
- (f) **No additional private rights authorized—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any private right of action to enforce any requirement of this section or any regulation thereunder. The Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any complaint under this section.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, § 255, as added Pub. L. 104–104, title I, § 101(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 75.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 12102 of title 42, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was amended generally by Pub. L. 110–325, § 4(a), Sept. 25, 2008, 122 Stat. 3555, and, as so amended, provisions formerly appearing in par. (2)(A) are now contained in par. (1)(A).