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.

Beating Back the Disability Digital Divide with Broadband Digital Inclusion

February 17, 2010. COAT leader, AAPD's senior director for government affairs, Jenifer Simpson, was invited to be an advisory board member at Broadband for America to help ensure the voice of disability in broadband discussions. This industry-led coalition works on the common goal of bringing broadband Internet to every home and business in the nation. Since broadband has been identified as a key driver for economic recovery, a coalition focus is to expand the employment opportunities that access to broadband Internet brings. The coalition will provide information and some resources targeted to ensuring people with disabilities benefit. Video clip on Digital Inclusion and People with Disabilities (toggle CC button for English captioning).

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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.