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.
Other Press Releases
COAT Affiliates Plan Spring & Summer Conferences, Other Leadership Opportunities
February 16, 2011. Below is a listing of COAT affiliate conferences and other leadership activities upcoming this spring and summer (alphabetical by organization). Please contact the organization directly for more information:
COAT Affiliate National Association of Deaf Pleased with Super Bowl TV Captioning
February 1, 2011. COAT leading affiliate National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the National Football League (NFL) along with FOX Broadcasting Company, announced how pleased they are that the TV network airing Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, February 6, 2011, will include captioning for all national commercials and promotions.
COAT Affiliate HAP Pleased with Super Bowl Captioning
February 2, 2011. COAT affiliate HAP is pleased that the National Football League (NFL), along with the FOX Broadcasting Company, the network airing Super Bowl XLV scheduled for Sunday, February 6, 2011, will have the first ever fully captioned national broadcast of the Super Bowl. See HAP's News Release.
FCC Appoints Deaf Attorney to Head Disability Rights Office
November 16, 2010, Washington DC. Gregory Hlibok, currently an attorney in the Disability Rights Office (DRO) in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, has been named to head that office.“Greg will be heading up the Disability Rights Office at a crucial time, as the FCC ramps up to implement the most significant disability law in two decades,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “Greg possesses extensive knowledge in the field of telecommunications access for people with disabilities as well as the leadership qualities necessary to lead the office.
Remarks by the President at Signing of P.L. 111-260, the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010
THE WHITE HOUSE
National Court Reporters Association: Video Accessibility Legislation Creates Demand for Real Time Captioning
Press Release, September 29, 2010 (Vienna, VA): An historic piece of legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday evening, September 28: S.3304, otherwise known as “The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010.” This legislation will have a profound impact on the stenographic court reporting profession because, once signed by President Obama, it will require any and every video that, first, is broadcast on television and, then, distributed via the Internet to include closed captioning.
President Obama Notes Importance of 21st Century COAT bill To Employment for People with Disabilities
On October 1, 2010, the President issued a proclamation on National Disability Employment Awareness Month that included mention of the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act as critical to employment for people with disabilities. Here is the excerpt from the proclamation:
Closed Caption button on remote.