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.

VRS Reform: Many COAT Affiliates Comment at FCC Dec 17 Panel (webcast)

Several COAT affiliates spoke at a December 17, 2009 FCC panel on Video Relay Service (VRS) Reform. Speakers included: Jim Tobias of Inclusive Technologies, Rosaline Crawford of NAD, Claude Stoute of TDI, in addition to Karen Peltz Strauss representing COAT. Other speakers included Sheri Farinha, representing the California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCASDHH), and Sharon Hayes, of Video Relay Services Consumer Association. Topics to be addressed are Fraud & Abuse, Efficient VRS Delivery, Functional Equivalency, and VRS compensation methodologies. The event will be webcast by dialing in to 1-866-566-7390, Code 4732812.

Copy of FCC Public Notice attached below with instructions on how to comment into this Docket, CG 03-123. Read related COAT story.

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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.