On December 21, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives released a draft bill, the long-awaited “Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.” This proposal is a dramatic and comprehensive step forward for consumers with disabilities.

Synopsis: (October 31, 2007) The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) applauds the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet for captioning the webcast of its October 31^st hearing on the digital television transition. Captions make video programming on the Internet accessible to millions of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. COAT noted that the action taken by the Subcommittee to caption its webcast should be a model for all public hearings and events. COAT also applauds Rep. Markey for his continuing leadership on behalf of people with disabilities.

Synopsis: (October 9, 2007) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a request by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) to limit the extension of time to six months for implementing 711 access to 911 for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service providers.

Synopsis: (October 1, 2007) The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning efforts to educate consumers about the transition to digital television (DTV). Widespread consumer understanding of the benefits and mechanics of the DTV transition is needed. COAT advocated for specific steps to be taken to reach the community of people with disabilities to ensure awareness about the DTV transition. In addition, COAT described the technical difficulties encountered by people with disabilities and proposed a way to address those issues. COAT offered a disability perspective on several consumer education proposals raised by the Commission in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and urged more resources be made available for the consumer education initiative.

Download or view the Comments at http://tinyurl.com/2layx7 (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6519738849).

Synopsis: (September 19, 2007) The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) sent a letter to members of Congress to thank them for their support of H.R. 3403, The Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007. COAT believes this forward-thinking legislation will promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 9-1-1 and E-9-1-1 services, and by encouraging the nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network. In particular, COAT expressed appreciation for inclusion of the specific provisions that will improve 9-1-1 and E-9-1-1 access by people with disabilities.

Synopsis: (August 16, 2007) The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) made a formal report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week about some of the problems that the transition to digital television poses for people with disabilities. Analog television transmission will end on February 17, 2009.