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 Talks Some More with Industry on HR 3101

In a fourth session of talks with representatives from industry on January 22, 2010, five COAT leaders from AAPD, ACB, AFB, CSD and NAD, met for over three hours to discuss various provisions in HR 3101. Topics included the standard for accessibility, scope of equipment and services, and some aspects of compliance. Cost of accessibility was raised by industry representatives.

Industry representatives participating in the discussion included individuals from national trade associations such as CEA, CTIA, NCTA, TIA, USTelecom, and the VON Coalition, and from companies such as Microsoft and Sony-Ericsson. Most of the trade associations have member companies who are household names and are international brands and were represented by more than one individual, as well as their attorneys.

Advocates note that telecommunications and technology sector revenues are in the billions of dollars each year.

Additional meetings are planned.

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are these companies whining

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 07:11.

are these companies whining about cost of accesibility? don't they make good profits every year? why would anyone object to making something accessible to a deaf person or blind person?

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.