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 & Affiliates Advocate for Consumers with Disabilities in New IP-Enabled Broadband Communications Environment

On March 8, 2010, COAT sent Comments to the FCC in response their Notice of Inquiry about "Consumer Information and Disclosure; Truth-in-Billing, and IP-Enabled Services." COAT's comments emphasized the need for all consumer information to be accessible -- including website content, for service package terms to be clear, and for billing, service and technical support to do a better job responding to the needs and concerns of consumers with disabilities. COAT also emphasized the need for continuing outreach activities. Read COAT Comments to FCC. Earlier, other COAT affiliates had sent in additional and supplementary Comments. Read these here:

AAPD, and a supplemental comment, at AAPD

ACB, on behalf of people with vision disabilities

TDI, on behalf of Association of Late-Deafened Adults, National Association of The Deaf, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network, California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss Association of America, American Association of the Deaf-Blind, and Communication Service for the Deaf.

With voice phone and other communication services likely to transform even more in the next few years, effective customer service, technical support and accessible information will be paramount for our communities.

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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.