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.

US Access Board Initiates Standards Development Process for Accessibility of Medical Equipment

In July 2010, the U.S. Access Board began a process to address accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment for people with disabilities. The trigger for this action was in the health reform legislation that added a new Section 510 to the Rehabilitation Act. COAT affiliates may be interested in this effort as more and more health care technology involves communications and information technologies.

The standards will address equipment used by health care professionals in, or in conjunction with, physician’s offices, clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, and other medical settings for diagnostic purposes. Examination tables and chairs, mammography equipment, x-ray machines and other radiological equipment, and weight scales are examples of the types of equipment that the accessibility standards will address. Section 510 of the Rehabilitation Act requires the Access Board to issue the standards by March 22, 2012, and to periodically review and update the standards. COAT recommends advocates sign up for Access Board Notices about this rulemaking.

Read Access Board Rulemaking.

Read Access Board Notice.

Read about the July 30, 2010 Access Board forum on medical equipment accessibility.

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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.