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.

Inching Forward: COAT Meets with House Committee Majority Staffs on HR 3101

On February 18, 2010, COAT representatives from AAPD, ACB, CSD and WGBH-Media Access Group met with majority staff from the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology & The Internet. The meeting included representatives from the various industry trade associations -- CEA, CTIA, NCTA, TIA, VON Coalition -- and companies, such as RIM and Microsoft, that have been involved in the recent talks about HR 3101. Presentations from both industry and COAT representatives summarized the talks process to date, including the main points of agreement and unfinished or ongoing topics. Additional such meetings are expected and likely to include minority staff and other companies.

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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.