US Senate Hearing on S.3304-H.R.3101 Issues Set for Wed May 26, 2:30 PM Russell Building Room 253

Progress of the Bill

May 21, 2010. COAT is delighted to learn that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) will chair a hearing Wednesday May 26 on legislation that would require technology companies, phone manufacturers & services providers to ensure accessibility of their products for deaf, blind, deaf-blind & other customers with disabilities. The focus of the hearing will be the "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act," (S.3304) which Kerry co-sponsored along with Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)

COAT Sends Letter of Thanks to US Senate for S. 3304: Asks for Hearing

Progress of the Bill

In a letter on May 12, 2010, COAT wrote to the four U.S. Senators -- Kerry (MA), Pryor (AR), Dorgan (ND), Conrad (ND) -- who introduced the "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act" (S. 3304).

Sen. John Kerry Says It's Time to Knock Down Online Barriers to Ensure No One Excluded from Internet

In a Press Release on May 4, 2010, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the powerful Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology & the Internet, affirmed the principle of inclusion of people with disabilities to activities on the Internet.

Senate bill introduced: "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act "(S. 3304)

May 5, 2010, Washington, DC:--The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) thanks Senators Mark Pryor (AR) and John Kerry (MA) for introducing the “Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act” (S. 3304). The measure is a major step forward for people with disabilities in ensuring accessible technology. Also co-sponsoring are Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, both from North Dakota.

COAT Affiliate ACB Educates Hill about H.R. 3101: Blind People to Benefit Greatly

Progress of the Bill

COAT affiliate, American Council of the Blind (ACB), held its annual legislative seminar Monday February 22, 2010 in Arlington, Virginia. A key policy item was H.R. 3101, which includes over five provisions that, if enacted, will greatly benefit people with vision disabilities. Eric Bridges, ACB's Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs, summarized the five key provisions at the seminar:

COAT Affiliates Participate on FCC Consumer Advisory Committee

Other Access Issues

On December 4, 2009, representatives from several COAT affiliates -- ACB, CSD, HLAA, NVRC -- in addition to the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network, participated in the last of this year's FCC Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings.

COAT Affiliate AFB Initiates Cell Phone Training For People with Vision Loss

Universal Service

National COAT affiliate AFB is hosting cell phone training sessions for people with vision loss in 2009. Two-day sessions are to be held at AFB's Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, TX so that people with vision loss can learn mobile phone basics such as volume control, checking voice mail, storing phone numbers and managing magnification software.