Digital Accessibility: The Coalition for Accessible Technology’s Work

[Source: Media and Democracy Coalition Newsletter, by Hannah Miller (MadCo), June 3, 2010]

Digital Accessibility: the Coalition for Accessible Technology’s Work
On Thursday, May 20, the Media and Democracy Coalition hosted a call with Mark Richert, policy director of
the American Foundation for the Blind, to talk about the efforts of over 300 organizations to ensure accessibility as digital media advances. The Coalition that Mark works with – the Coalition for Accessible Technology – is currently involved in legislative advocacy for changes that would affect mobile devices, apps, digital television, and many other forms. COAT is dedicated to approaching the work with a cross-disability perspective, including accessibility questions from visibility to dyslexia to hearing to ADHD.

Currently COAT is working on H.R. 3101, the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA). The two main provisions are 1. aimed at making video programming accessible with accessible menus, and recorded voiceovers describing the action and 2. Making any Internet
technology that works as a phone (including VOIP) accessible. “Mobile technology can be liberators for people with disabilities,” said Mark.

Many PDAs and devices are sometimes accessible, but are often very expensive. A Blackberry can be equipped to be read in Braille but at the retail cost of $4800, Mark said. From the Congressional Research Service Summary, the bill “requires every provider of Internet access service and every manufacturer of Internet access equipment, unless it would be an undue burden, to make user interfaces accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The House Bill also contains provisions for Lifeline and Linkup to be used for these devices. Mark said there had been some recent opposition by carriers. There is a companion Senate Bill; Mark said that the House bill is the one preferred by COAT.

Mark can be reached at mrichert@afb.net.