§  6.5   General obligations.

   (a) Obligation of Manufacturers. (1) A manufacturer of
   telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment shall
   ensure that the equipment is designed, developed and fabricated so that
   the telecommunications functions of the equipment 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 a
   telecommunications service 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.

   (c) Obligation of Telecommunications Carriers. Each telecommunications
   carrier must not install network features, functions, or capabilities
   that do not comply with the guidelines and standards established
   pursuant to this part or part 7 of this chapter.