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 Meet with FEMA on new IPAWS Emergency System

On July 1, 2010, several representatives from COAT affiliates -- AAPD, TDI and WGBH-NCAM -- met with representatives from several federal agencies to ensure more accessibility of and better inclusion of people with disabilities as the "Integrated Public Alert and Warning System" (IPAWS) develops. The meeting was convened by FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) and included participants from FEMA's National Continuity Programs (NCP), External Affairs and IPAWS offices. The meeting was Roundtable style, with a summary FEMA presentation followed by discussion of disability community needs.

IPAWS is the nation’s next-generation infrastructure of alert and warning networks. It will expand upon the traditional audio-only radio and television broadcast Emergency Alert System (EAS) by providing one message over more media to more people with the intent of preserving more lives and property. IPAWS will likely integrate the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) as the IPAWS deploys. CAP is intended to allow more interoperability among Message Alert originators and any new technologies -- such as wireless, digital and Internet systems.

Federal agencies participating included representatives from the FCC, NCD and US Access Board. Also participating in the Roundtable was AT&T. Further similar roundtable meetings are expected since FEMA has commited to including disability issues in more and more areas.

Background material concerning IPAWS:

COAT's Comments to the FCC in regard to the planned test of the EAS System (part of IPAWS development)

List of IPAWS federal partner agencies

Presidential Executive Order 13407

History of IPAWS

FCC's Public Safety & Homeland Security website.

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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.