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 Leader Attends WIPO Discussions in Geneva
Beginning Monday December 14, 2009, five days of talks begin at the U.N.'s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights. COAT steering committee member Eric Bridges of ACB attended to be sure the viewpoint of people with vision and other disabilities was included. The main topic is copyright limitations and exceptions. A decision is expected on a proposal to negotiate a new WIPO treaty for people who are blind, visually impaired or with other disabilities. There will be presentations on the role of limitations and exceptions for educational uses, access to works in developing countries and on orphaned copyrighted works. COAT affiliate ICDRI and COAT International Friend RNIB have both applied for accreditation with WIPO. The statements of the US government and by Eric Bridges of ACB are Attachments below. More information:
Requests for accreditation by 17 organizations, including 16 disability-related.
Position statement from KEI on why blind people need the treaty.
Closed Caption button on remote.
Update: ICDRI accredited at
Update: ICDRI accredited at WIPO and spokesperson Cynthia Waddell focused on accessibility of mainstream information & communications technologies in her three-minute speech. ICDRI is a longstanding affiliate member of COAT. .
Mark Esper at the US Chamber
Mark Esper at the US Chamber of Commerce has a blog, Comments, on this issue!