Progress of the Bill

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).

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).

May 7, 2010. News stories on S. 3304 emphasize benefits and opportunities for people who are deaf, blind or with vision impairments. Here are some reports:

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.

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.

April 9, 2010, Washington, DC:-- COAT encourages activists to plan now to set aside time during the day on Thursday April 15th to call and/or write your U.S. Congressional Representative in support of the “21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act” (HR 3101). If you planned to take a lunch break or chat a little longer at the water cooler, save this time and contribute towards a greater cause by taking action that day!

On April 8, 2010, in a two-hour meeting, COAT leaders met with cable TV representatives to discuss some of the TV accessibility proposals in H.R. 3101. Specifically, the group focused on the technical feasibility issues in making set-top boxes accessible, including access to the electronic program guide. The HR 3101 provisions are found in Section 204, "User Interfaces Regulations," and Section 205, "Access Video Programming Guides and Menus."

On March 25, 2010, in an oversight hearing on the National Broadband Plan, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps's testimony affirmed the importance of including people with disabilities' concerns in the Plan.