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 in the News
COAT Leaders Speak at International Wireless Conference in Washington DC
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.
Speed Matters Coalition Learns About 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Legislation
On Friday October 1, 2010 the Speed Matters coalition heard from COAT representative Jenifer Simpson of AAPD about passage of the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility legislation and that it was on its way to the President for signature. AAPD has been an advisory member of this group as part of their broadband awareness initiative. The "COAT bill" which enables access to broadband technologies for people with disabilities is of great interest to many stakeholders in the Internet ecosystem.
TV NewsCheck: Obama Poised To Sign Video Description Bill--COAT Leader ACB Quoted
By Kim McAvoy, in TVNewsCheck, September 29, 2010
Washington Post: Congress passes bill to make Internet, smartphones accessible for blind, deaf.
By Cecilia Kang, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, August 17, 2010; A10
21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 Passed by U.S. House of Representatives September 28, 2010
On Tuesday September 28, 2010, 9:28 p.m., the "21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010" passed by a voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. This was the last legislative hurdle for a bill that all of us began working on several years ago. Next stop is the White House when President Obama will sign the measure, putting it into law. After that, implementation and enforcement processes start at the Federal Communications Commission, the federal agency with most responsibility.
COAT Affiliate VITAC Quoted in Pittsburgh Post Gazette: "Captions on the Web"
COAT affiliate VITAC President Pat Prozzi is quoted in a September 1, 2010 Pittsburgh Post Gazette story about "Captions on the Web" in regard to recent legislative action by the U.S. Congress.
Captions on the Web -- Congress to weigh bill that will require the service for online programming
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Free Press Interviews COAT Leader: New Legislation Closes Digital Divide for Blind, Deaf
On August 20, 2010, Eric Bridges of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) was interviewed by Free Press for a podcast entitled "Media Minutes: New Legislation Closes Digital Divide for Blind, Deaf," which is about the "21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010." The 5 minute podcast can be heard online. A transcript of the podcast is available attached below in PDF and in Word.
Closed Caption button on remote.