COAT advocates for accessibility and usability of technology for people with disabilities. Enacting the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA) was a huge step forward and we are working to implement this new law. COAT’s overall aim is to ensure accessibility, usability, and affordability of all broadband, wireless, and Internet technologies for people with disabilities.

COAT Affiliate AFB Initiates Cell Phone Training For People with Vision Loss

Universal Service

National COAT affiliate AFB is hosting cell phone training sessions for people with vision loss in 2009. Two-day sessions are to be held at AFB's Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, TX so that people with vision loss can learn mobile phone basics such as volume control, checking voice mail, storing phone numbers and managing magnification software. The training results from partnering with AT&T in their cell phone training program for senior citizens and recognizes the usability and accessibility barriers encountered by many wireless users. Regardless of which carrier they use, participants receive one-on-one sessions with AT&T volunteers. For more information:

AFB E-mail or telephone 214-352-7222. AT&T E-mail or telephone 512-870-2005 or 512-934-0713.

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Andrew Phillips, National Association of the Deaf; Eric Bridges, American Council of the Blind; Mark Richert, American Foundation for the Blind; and Jenifer Simpson, American Association of People with Disabilities, outside the FCC building, Washington DC, after meetings on pending rules under 21st CVAA.

Celebration of the bill's final passage

Rep. Ed Markey and Legislative Director Mark Bayer celebrate the bill’s final passage on September 28, 2010, in front of the Helen Keller statue, with the leaders from the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology: Karen Peltz Strauss, formerly with Communication Service for the Deaf; Jenifer Simpson, American Association of People with Disabilities; Rosaline Crawford, National Association of the Deaf. Their hands symbolize clapping in sign language.

Congressman Ed Markey in photo of Congressional hearing room dais. Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), center, introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101) on June 26, 2009.

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President Obama signs the Accessibility Act

President Obama signed the 21^st
Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act into law on October 8, 2010, with many key advocates and lawmakers in attendance.