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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.

COAT Affiliates Weigh in at FCC on Consumer Issues

Several COAT affiliates sent in written comments to the FCC in the first round of comments in the Consumer Information & Disclosure Notice of inquiry. The consumer group -- TDI, NAD, ALDA, DHHCAN, CA Coalition, HLAA, AADB & CSD -- urged great outreach and education for consumers, service providers and manufacturers about accessibility issues in the Comments to the FCC. AAPD sent in Comments that focused on specific complaint concerns and made recommendations for disability Points of Contact at all companies (broadband, tv and others) and for more material in accessible formats, among other suggeestions.

Consumer group Comments.   AAPD Comments

Reply or additional Comments are due October 28. Consumers wishing to file more comments may do so using the online FCC Form. Be sure to click on "Send Comment" at the bottom of page after filling in the online form.

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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.