On June 19, 2008, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet  introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act to enhance access to broadband technology and services for persons with disabilities. Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-NM) joined Rep. Markey as an original co-sponsor of the bill.

As a result of efforts by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), the "New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 3403)," includes language on accessibility. The measure, passed by the U.S. Senate June 16, requires that in the planning for development of the next generation of 911 systems, the access needs of persons with disabilities must be addressed. In addition the measure would relieve Internet Protocol (IP) based communications providers who handle emergency calls from liability associated with handling calls involving relay service.

In a follow-up story to the May 1st hearing, the Boston Globe interviewed Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and COAT affiliate representatives Larry Goldberg of Media Access Group and Karen Peltz Strauss of Communication Service for the Deaf, and others. The story emphasizes the importance of making video on the Internet accessible to people with vision disabilities and with hearing disabilities. Read the Boston Globe story.

The U.S. credit reporting agencies are announcing today that free on-line credit reports available through http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ will comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by October of this year. Credit reports will be available in Braille, Large Print, and on audio CD by the end of 2008.