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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.

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Disability Groups Laud FCC for National Broadband Plan Inclusion of Disability

March 19, 2010.  Disability groups such as the American Foundation of the Blind (AFB) and World Institute on Disability (WID) and others are lauding the FCC for inclusion of disability in the National Broadband Plan sent up to the U.S. Congress March 16, 2010. AFB's Mark Richert says the "Breathtaking National Broadband Plan's release puts disability access center stage."  WID's executive director Anita Aaron said "[the plan is] a significant step forward to ensure that millions of Americans with disabilities will be able to fully participate in a global economy." WID Board Member Neil Jacobson, CEO of Abilicorp, adds, "Simply put, access to broadband means access to jobs."

Read full announcements attached below.

Previously, groups involved in roll-out of the plan also issued notices. See, for example, NAD Announcement and AAPD Press Release attached below.

AttachmentSize
American Foundation for Blind Release.doc30.5 KB
World Institute on Disability Release.doc67 KB
AAPD Press Release re National Broadband Plan Rollout by FCC Mar 10 event.doc142 KB
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COAT leaders at the FCC

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.

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

President Obama signs the Accessibility Act

President Obama signed the 21st
Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act into law on October 8, 2010, with many key advocates and lawmakers in attendance.

Senator Mark Pryor (AR)

Senator Mark Pryor (AR) received AAPD’s Justice For All Award July 26, 2011 for his leadership with Senate passage of the 21st CVAA.

Key FCC Staff working on 21st CVAA

Key FCC staff working on 21st CVAA: Karen Peltz Strauss, Rosaline Crawford, Eliot Greenwald

Sesame Street video with captioning and description. Sesame Street video with captioning and description.

Closed Caption button on remote. Closed Caption button on remote.