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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.

Six Co-Sponsors now for HR 3101!

In addition to introduction by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), there are now six co-sponsors of H.R. 3101. They are: Barbara Lee (D-CA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Fortney Stark (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

In a "Dear Colleague" letter to all Congressional representatives Mr. Markey, on August 12, summarized H.R. 3101, emphasizing how the bill would bring existing communication law up to date and would not be economically burdensome.  For a copy of this "Dear Colleague" letter email COAT.

COAT thanks these co-sponsors and wonders why there are not more sponsors for this common-sense legislation that would bring more accessibility & usability for millions of Americans with disabilities through innovative solutions.

 

 

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COAT leaders at the FCC

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.

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

President Obama signs the Accessibility Act

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

Senator Mark Pryor (AR)

Senator Mark Pryor (AR) received AAPD’s Justice For All Award July 26, 2011 for his leadership with Senate passage of the 21st CVAA.

Key FCC Staff working on 21st CVAA

Key FCC staff working on 21st CVAA: Karen Peltz Strauss, Rosaline Crawford, Eliot Greenwald

Sesame Street video with captioning and description. Sesame Street video with captioning and description.

Closed Caption button on remote. Closed Caption button on remote.