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 Press Releases
Industry Group SMPTE Makes Captioning Online Standard Available for Free
April 13, 2011. COAT applauds and thanks the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) for making publicly available a standard for captioning interoperability between broadcast TV and broadband video programming. This is an important and well-timed decision by SMPTE to release this openly as rules are pending from the FCC on this form of accessibility. That is, the FCC's Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee (VPAAC) is discussing captioning online as part of the new requirements under the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act.
Online Captioning Advances: SMPTE Releases Standards for Web and TV Captioning Conversion
On December 10, 2010, COAT was pleased to learn from SMPTE that they have now published some technical standards and guidelines that will ensure greater captioning of video material online. These standards are available online in the SMPTE store. Previously, in April 2009, COAT had contacted SMPTE to find out what steps they were taking to advance availability of captioning online.
COAT Applauds US Senate for Passage of 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act (S.3304)
PRESS RELEASE
U.S. House of Representatives Votes For H.R. 3101, Passes With Large Majority!!
July 26, 2010. COAT is delighted that, on the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 348 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted for H.R. 3101, "The Twenty-First Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act." In summary 220 Democrats and 128 Republicans voted for H.R. 3101. See who voted how here.
COAT's 300+ Affiliates Salute & Honor the 20th Anniversary Americans with Disabilities Act Today! HR 3101 Vote Also!!
July 26, 2010. Happy Birthday ADA! COAT's over 300 affiliates all across America salute and honor the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) twentieth anniversary today. With celebrations in every state and many towns and cities, we appreciate how our civil rights are being implemented and look forward to full equality, especially in regard to greater availability of accessible, usable and affordable technologies. Equality and Technology Accessibility!
COAT Witnesses Provide Crucial Testimony at House HR 3101 Hearing June 10, 2010
On June 10, 2010 the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) was very pleased to sponsor two witnesses from leading COAT affiliates to testify at a U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet hearing on the "21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act" (H.R.
COAT Stunned that FCC Received Over 390 Disability Complaints During 6-Month Period in 2009
May 18, 2010, Washington, D.C.-- COAT commends the FCC for again issuing Public Notices about the number of disability-specific complaints it receives per quarter. However, COAT remains very concerned about the lack of reporting about resolution of these concerns or if any are moved for further action to the FCC's Enforcement Bureau. COAT expects and demands better enforcement of the longstanding federal requirements for accessibility of communications technologies, especially now, in a world of a great technological change.
Closed Caption button on remote.