AAPD's Senior Director for Government Affairs, Jenifer Simpson, was asked to write a blog about accessible technology and broadband for an industry-driven coalition, Broadband for America. As you may recall, the FCC is charged with developing a National Broadband Plan and many industry & consumer groups are providing recommendations to the FCC on this.

COAT Awaits Reply from MPAA on HR 3101

Progress of the Bill

In an effort to move HR 3101 along, COAT leadership sent letters to many industry trade associations in September and October 2009 asking if they had any further concerns or issues with HR 3101. While many groups, and individual companies, have responded, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) still has yet to respond. The last meeting COAT had with MPAA was in December 2008. Copy of COAT's letter October 19, 2009 is attached.

COAT Affiliate APT Launches National Broadband Resource Center

Best Practices

Internet Protocol (IP)

Representatives from several COAT affiliates attended and participated in the launch of the new National Broadband Resource Center (NBRC) on November 19, 2009, held at the NEA in Washington, DC. Panelist Mark Richert of AFB lauded the NBRC's goal to expand and develop adoption of broadband by underserved communities, including people with disabilities. For more info, see NBRC launch agenda.

COAT Affiliates Applaud Launch of Google's YouTube Captioning System

Other Access Issues

On Thursday, November 19, many COAT affiliates -- AAPD, ACB, CSD, HLAA, NAD, NCI, NCIL, NVRC, TDI -- attended the exciting launch of Google's YouTube automated captioning system.

COAT Affiliate AAPD Learns About Android and Accessibility

Other Access Issues

Internet Protocol (IP)

On November 18, AAPD staff learned about the Android operating system (or platform) available on many cell phones and how accessibility can be part of the applications available for free for consumers with vision and other disabilities. Steve Jacobs, of the Ideal Group, Inc, demonstrated a number of features in beta testing that his associates have developed such as an eyes-free dialer, eyes-free compass, and easy-captioning for

COAT Meets with Industry on H.R. 3101

Progress of the Bill

Internet Protocol (IP)

On November 18, 2009, COAT leaders from AAPD, ACB, AFB, CSD, and NAD met with representatives from a number of industry trade associations and companies to discuss their outstanding questions about some of the provisions in H.R. 3101.

Verizon Fios and DirecTV Provide Point of Contact for TV Captioning Concerns

Best Practices

Thanks to efforts this year (2009) by advocates at COAT affiliates in Pennsylvania -- Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf and Hearing Loss Association of Pennsylvania -- we have learned that two major distributors of television have provided a Point of Contact person and contact information for captioning concerns. The information is provided on these companies' bills. Here is the information: