47 CFR § 7.5 - General Obligations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t47/s7.5"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "47 CFR § 7.5 - General Obligations."
title_number: 47
title_name: "Telecommunication"
section_number: "7.5"
section_name: "General Obligations."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "7"
part_name: "ACCESS TO VOICEMAIL AND INTERACTIVE MENU SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "47 U.S.C. 151-154, 208, 255, and 303(r)."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 63255, Nov. 19, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "7"
---


# 7.5 General Obligations.

(a) Obligation of Manufacturers. (1) A manufacturer of telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment covered by this part shall ensure that the equipment is designed, developed and fabricated so that the voicemail and interactive menu functions are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable;

(2) Whenever the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section are not readily achievable, the manufacturer shall ensure that the equipment is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access, if readily achievable.

(b) Obligation of Service Providers. (1) A provider of voicemail or interactive menu shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.

(2) Whenever the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are not readily achievable, the service provider shall ensure that the service is compatible with existing peripheral devices or specialized customer premises equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve access, if readily achievable.

[64 FR 63255, Nov. 19, 1999, as amended at 88 FR 55584, Aug. 16, 2023]