COAT Logo

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.

Home » Captioning

COAT Leaders Meet with Industry Reps on Video Programming in HR 3101

On May 18, 2010, several representatives from COAT organizations -- AAPD, AFB, NAD -- met with representatives from industry for almost two hours to discuss some of the video programming provisions in H.R. 3101 (and S. 3304). Industry representatives were from CEA, CTIA, NAB, NCTA and TIA -- with several organizations represented by more than one attorney or agent. The discussion centered on Sections 201-205 of HR 3101 (see summary) which are provisions for closed captioning, video description,  and for accessible user interfaces and video programming guides and menus. These sections of HR 3101 are at the heart of COAT's agenda to ensure accessibility of video technologies.

Specifically, topics covered set-top boxes (see also summary of previous COAT meeting on set top boxes held previously) , role of video programming operators, online captioning, mobile TV, emergency information for people with vision loss, and user controls. Generally, industry representatives wanted longer time lines for implementation, limits to scope of device coverage, and statutory exemptions. They also raised technical feasibility questions and wanted clarification on specific language in the measure. Discussion about video description was limited due to lack of agreement within trade associations.  Further discussions may occur.

»

Follow COAT on Twitter

Follow COAT on Facebook

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.