Rep. Markey Introduces 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2009 to make Broadband More Accessible
Before Congress adjourned on June 26, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the "21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009" (H.R. 3101). This comprehensive measure would modernize disability accessibility mandates in the Communications Act, bringing existing requirements up to date as TV and phone services connect via the Internet and use new digital and broadband technologies. COAT leaders say the following:
Sign the Petition to Support the Bill
COAT now has an online petition to support passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Sign it now, and spread the word! See the names of the more than 3,600 people from all 50 states who've signed it so far.
Deaf-Blind Young Adults in Action Support COAT
Last week, coinciding with national Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, six dynamic young adults who are deaf-blind participated in a leadership course at Gallaudet University.
COAT Affiliates Wind Down DTV Transition Consumer Education Efforts
COAT affiliates, AAPD, ACB, NAD and TDI and others, are winding down their outreach efforts -- begun last year -- that ensured our communities were not left without TV pictures and sound on June 12, the date when all full power TV stations stopped analog and switched to digital TV broadcasting. The original DTV transition date, February 17, was changed, an effort COAT endorsed.
Confirmation Hearing for Incoming FCC Chairman Genachowski is Now Captioned!
Good news! The confirmation hearing for Julius Genachowski, held by the U.S. Senate June 16, is now available online and with captioning!
COAT Affiliate Secures Captioning at Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee
COAT national affiliate HLAA secured captioning for more than 450 HLAA annual convention 2009 attendees when they watched The Grand Old Opry show in Nashville TN on June 20. While the Grand Old Opry screens to display captioning are not yet permanent, this is a step forward.
COAT Affiliates Try for Captioning of Webcast for Upcoming House Health Care Reform Hearing
COAT Writes Netflix Video Distributor Asking for Accessibility & Usability
On June 11, COAT sent a letter to Netflix asking them to make its "Watch Instantly" movies and other videos and its website accessible to and usable by people with hearing and people with vision disabilities. Consumers are irate about lack of accessibility including some Netflix shareholders.
Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), center, introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101) on June 26, 2009.
Lorraine Wernow watches captioned video on the Internet.
Closed Caption button on remote.