Best Practices

On August 9, 2010, the Video Systems Committee of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) launched a working group to develop standards for accessibility of  video devices. One of seventy CEA working groups, "R4 WG19" will develop standards and guidelines for accessibility of video devices. The group expects participation from consumer electronics manufacturers, including designers, engineers, manufacturers, users with disabilities and accessibility design specialists.

Press Release: CTIA-The Wireless Association® Commends Mark-Up of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Posted July 21, 2010

VERIZON NEWS RELEASE  July 21, 2010

July 21, 2010, Washington, D.C.-–COAT applauds and thanks the House Energy & Commerce Committee for its  vote today for H.R. 3101, the "Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010." Less than a week away from the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the measure would update the nation’s communications laws to ensure that new TV and phone technologies are accessible to people with disabilities. 

May 14, 2010. Consumers can now search the recently launched FCC searchable database for contact information at TV companies for closed captioning concerns and complaints. The information in the database is required by the FCC from the video programming distributors, that is, the TV stations, cable TV, satellite TV, and phone company TV service providers. These TV distributors must provide a name, phone number and email address. There are no exemptions to provision of this information.

On April 14, 2010 COAT sent Comments to the FCC as it begins to review the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS), which is a never-yet used Presidential radio & TV broadcast alert system set up for national emergencies. COAT made recommendations to support equal access to emergency information for people with disabilities.

On April 8, 2010, in a two-hour meeting, COAT leaders met with cable TV representatives to discuss some of the TV accessibility proposals in H.R. 3101. Specifically, the group focused on the technical feasibility issues in making set-top boxes accessible, including access to the electronic program guide. The HR 3101 provisions are found in Section 204, "User Interfaces Regulations," and Section 205, "Access Video Programming Guides and Menus."

March 24, 2010. COAT commends CTIA for holding a "Wireless Applications & People With Disabilities" educational session at the recent CTIA 2010 conference in Las Vegas, NV.With mobile access to broadband a hot topic, this was a timely conversation.