Hearing Aid Compatibility
COAT Position Statement: Mandate Hearing Aid Compatibility for End-User Voice Equipment Used with Internet-Based Technologies
COAT recommendation: Extend current federal law requiring hearing aid compatibility on newly manufactured and imported telephones to end user VoIP and other Internet-enabled telephone products that, like telephones used over the public switched telephone network, have acoustic handsets or headphones and that enable voice communication over the Internet.
FCC Clarifies Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules & Asks For Comment on New Rules
On August 5, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission issued an Order clarifying its hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules and seeking comments on some new regulations. In the clarification the FCC says their HAC rules:
U.S. Senate Passes S.3304 by Unanimous Consent!
August 5, 2010, Washington, D.C.:-- COAT celebrates the passage of the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010" (S. 3304) by the U.S. Senate today by unanimous consent. Due to the extraordinary efforts of advocates across the country and in Washington, D.C., COAT has secured a monumental step forward in accessible technology.
U.S. House of Representatives Votes For H.R. 3101, Passes With Large Majority!!
July 26, 2010. COAT is delighted that, on the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 348 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted for H.R. 3101, "The Twenty-First Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act." In summary 220 Democrats and 128 Republicans voted for H.R. 3101. See who voted how here.
National Association of the Deaf: H.R. 3101 Heads to House Floor for Vote, Asks Senate for Same
NAD Statement July 22, 2010.
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) applauds and thanks the House Energy and Commerce Committee for voting favorably on July 21, 2010, for the “Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010” (H.R. 3101). Next, H.R. 3101 will be voted on by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. After that, the NAD will ask the U.S. Senate to promptly pass H.R. 3101.
Wireless Industry Chief Says H.R. 3101 is Important Step Forward In Accessibility
Press Release: CTIA-The Wireless Association® Commends Mark-Up of 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Posted July 21, 2010
COAT Thanks House Committee on Vote for H.R. 3101: Lauds Bi-Partisan Effort
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.
Senate Committee Marks up S. 3304 on July 15, Headed to Floor Vote?
On Thursday July 15, 2010, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation held an 'executive session' where they adopted "The Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act," S. 3304, part of a package of bills and amendments considered.
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