Internet Protocol (IP)
COAT Position Statement: Expand Accessibility Safeguards to Internet Protocol Technologies
COAT recommendation: Extend Section 255-type disability protections to Internet Protocol (IP) technologies with improved accountability and enforcement measures.
COAT Position Statement: Expand Telecommunications Relay Service Obligations to VoIP Providers
COAT recommendation: Extend existing telecommunications relay service (TRS) obligations, including the obligation to contribute to the interstate relay fund that supports these services, to all communication service providers, including VoIP and cable providers that enable conversations to take place between two or more people.
COAT Members Form Accessible CAPTCHA Interest Group For People Who Are Deaf-Blind
On August 16, 2010, a number of leaders from various COAT organizations formed a national advocacy interest group to focus on accessibility of CAPTCHA technology used to ensure a person and not a computer is using the website. Advocates assert that for too long, Google, Yahoo, Ebay, Linkedin, and many other websites have made their websites inaccessible to deaf-blind people especially when they use the CAPTCHA technology.
Free Press Interviews COAT Leader: New Legislation Closes Digital Divide for Blind, Deaf
On August 20, 2010, Eric Bridges of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) was interviewed by Free Press for a podcast entitled "Media Minutes: New Legislation Closes Digital Divide for Blind, Deaf," which is about the "21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010." The 5 minute podcast can be heard online. A transcript of the podcast is available attached below in PDF and in Word.
Washington Post: COAT Leaders Quoted in Article on Markey Legislation
August 16, 2010. Washington Post article By Cecilia Kang
COAT Advocates File Comments at FCC on Accessibility of Video Devices
On August 12, 2010, Comments were due at the FCC in a rulemaking about cable TV (FCC Dockets 00-67 and 97-80). COAT advocates Dana Mulvany, Ronald Vickery and Larry Goldberg filed comments focusing on the accessibility issues that the newer disaggregated television devices now raise, such as pass through and display of captioning, and accessibility for people who are blind or with vision loss. It is expected that the FCC will continue to raise these issues in further rulemakings and it is a great opportunity for advocates to make sure the appropriate technical issues are included.
Report Finds Five State Benefits' Websites Inaccessible to People with Disabilities
A June 22, 2010 report finds that state public benefits agencies are increasingly relying on their websites as a means of providing information to the public, and as a means of applying for Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance. The new report by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) discusses research findings that agency websites have a host of problems that make them inaccessible to people with disabilities who use assistive technology, and difficult for everyone to navigate.
COAT Affiliate CSD Receives $15 Million Broadband Grant
COAT has learned that on July 15, 2010, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded a $15 million grant to COAT affiliate, Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD). The funds, an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant ("stimulus money"), are to help bridge the technological divide, boost economic growth, and improve communications for people who are deaf and hard of hearing nationwide.
Closed Caption button on remote.