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 Reports On Successes at TDI 18th Biennial Conference

COAT in the News

COAT affiliate representatives from AAPD, ACB, CSD and NAD discussed the coalition's successes and achievements on a panel at TDI's 18th biennial conference on July 30. In the richly appointed Grand Ballroom at the famous and historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC panelists -- Rosaline Crawford, Karen Peltz Strauss, Eric Bridges and Jenifer Simpson -- enumerated the legislative, regulatory and other advocacy campaigns that members have undertaken since the founding of the Coalition in March 2007. From ensuring that VOIP providers pay into the TRS fund, securing captioning of some online videos, testifying in Congress and at federal agencies, providing star witnesses at Congressional hearings, solving concerns in the digital TV transition, educating industry, and promoting legislation, the COAT coalition has made a huge impact influencing telecommunications, information technology and television companies.

For a summary of COAT's successes, send Email.

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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.