Universal Service
COAT Position Statement: Universal Service Reform for People Who are Deaf-Blind
COAT recommendation: Allocate a targeted portion of the Universal Service Fund (USF) to meet the unique telecommunications needs of individuals who are deaf-blind.
Who will benefit? There are approximately 70,000 people living in the United States who are deaf-blind.[1] These individuals are amongst the most unserved and underserved populations with respect to the provision of telecommunications services.
Universal Service Reform for People with Disabilities
COAT recommendation: Ensure universal service fund availability for low income persons with disabilities wishing to use high speed Internet services through the Lifeline and Link-up programs, in order to increase the number of people with disabilities who can access these broadband services.
American Council of Blind Passes Resolution on H.R. 3101
At its recent annual conference and convention in Phoenix, AZ, the members of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) passed a resolution on July 16, 2010 in regard to some of the missing provisions in H.R. 3101. Text of the resolution is below, and in the attached document below.
American Council of the Blind
H.R. 3101 Takes a Step Forward, But Leaves Behind People who are Deaf-Blind
July 2, 2010: COAT Action Alert! Sample Message:"Restore Section 105(b) to H.R. 3101 – Access to 21st Century Communications by People who are Deaf-Blind."
Markup scheduled for H.R. 3101, 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act
June 29, 2010. COAT is pleased to see a markup of H.R. 3101 has been scheduled. The House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet will meet in open markup session on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building, to consider H.R. 3101, the “Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009.” TV monitors will display captions. The markup will also be streamed live online with captions. More info will be posted at http://bit.ly/9E3upA.
US Senate Hearing on S.3304-H.R.3101 Issues Set for Wed May 26, 2:30 PM Russell Building Room 253
May 21, 2010. COAT is delighted to learn that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) will chair a hearing Wednesday May 26 on legislation that would require technology companies, phone manufacturers & services providers to ensure accessibility of their products for deaf, blind, deaf-blind & other customers with disabilities. The focus of the hearing will be the "Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act," (S.3304) which Kerry co-sponsored along with Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)
COAT Sends Letter of Thanks to US Senate for S. 3304: Asks for Hearing
Sen. John Kerry Says It's Time to Knock Down Online Barriers to Ensure No One Excluded from Internet
In a Press Release on May 4, 2010, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the powerful Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology & the Internet, affirmed the principle of inclusion of people with disabilities to activities on the Internet.
Closed Caption button on remote.