Progress of the Bill

COAT is enormously pleased that on Friday January 13, 2012 the FCC released the long-awaited rules for Internet Protocol (IP) TV captioning. This rule is a major component of the 21st CVAA implementation. You can see the FCC Order and accompanying statements by the Commissioners online here. Deeply involved in the rulemaking process were many leading COAT

January 13, 2012.  Federal implementation of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 continues with a meeting and comments this first quarter of 2012.  A recent FCC Public Notice announced the next meeting of the Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee (VPAAC) is to be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012.  Again, like similar meetings last year, the VPAAC will meet from 9 am to 5 pm at the FCC, 445 12th St SW, Washington DC, and is open to

On October 28, 2011, the FCC launched an Accessibility Clearinghouse to assist with the finding of accessible technologies. The launch occurred during a series of technology demonstrations held the same day at the FCC. The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, enacted in October 2010, updates requirements for accessibility for people with disabilities, including rules on closed captioning, programming guides and emergency access. This Act also established a clearinghouse of information that is intended to make it as easy as possible for people with disabilities, families and support professionals to find

On December 5, 2011, the G3ICT group hosted the M-Enabling Summit 2011 at the FCC, an international forum focusing on mobile technologies and the needs of people with disabilities and seniors. The first panel addressed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 and featured COAT members and friends as speakers. See captioned video of panelists speaking online here.

October 27, 2011. This week all Comments were due at the FCC for implementation of Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol Delivered Video Programming (or TV-to-Internet captioning). This is the most recent proposed rule issued by the FCC to implement the 21st CVAA.  A 60-page set of Comments was submitted by some Consumer Groups, many of whom are COAT affiliates.  COAT also submitted a Reply Comment in support of these Consumer Group comments. There are numerous other comments in this docket (Media Bureau 11-154) from individuals and from other stakeholders.

On October 7, 2011 the FCC released two sets of final rules that will further implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA). These included new rules for "Contributions to the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund" and "Advanced Communications Services."

October 5, 2011. The FCC recently announced the next (and ninth) meeting of the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC) which will be on Friday, October 14, 2011 at the FCC Headquarters, 445 12th St SW, Washing DC, from 10:30 am to 4 pm.