21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

You are here

Home » Advocacy » Know Your Rights

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

On October 8, 2010, when President Barack Obama signed the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) into law, Hearing Loss Association of America literally had a front row seat. HLAA worked with COAT (Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology) to move this bill forward. We provided help by educating legislators about the need for the legislation and encouraged HLA Chapters and individuals to join COAT to support these efforts. We got involved because we believe this legislation will help ensure people with hearing loss will have greater access to the Internet. We will stay involved as CVAA is implemented in years to come.

See HLAA's Public Policy and Advocacy blog entry on CVAA: http://hlaa-advocacy.blogspot.com

To read the FCC's releases about the CVAA visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/cvaa.html.

HLAA Attends FCC’s Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility

Nov 1 2011

On Friday, October 28th, 2011 HLAA executive director Brenda Battat and director of public policy, Lise Hamlin attended the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility (Chairman’s AAA), an historic event for disability access.  This event was held in October to honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the one year passage of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA).  The Awards were presented for the development of mainstream and assistive technologies, the development of standards, and the implementation of best practices that foster accessibility. 

Meeting of the Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC)

Sep 2 2011

The Emergency Access Advisory Committee (EAAC), an FCC advisory committee required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), will hold its next meeting at the Commission headquarters, 445 12th St., SW, Washington, D.C. on Friday, September 9, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST). The September meeting will continue deliberations to develop recommendations to the Commission of features and technologies that will be needed to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access Next Generation 911 emergency services.

FCC Advisory Committees Release Reports

Jul 26 2011

Closed Captioning on the Internet & Emergency Access Addressed

Two Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Advisory Committees for the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) released reports as scheduled in July, 2011.

Sparks fly at Congressional Hearing on HR 3101

Jun 11 2010

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) was privileged to be invited to testify before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet June 10, 2010. Lise Hamlin, director of public policy for HLAA, testified in support of the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (HR 3101) on behalf of HLAA and COAT, the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology. Stg. Major Jesse Acosta provided testimony for the American Council of the Blind, also in support of this legislation.

Senators Mark Pryor and John Kerry introduce the Equal Access to the 21st Century Communications Act (S. 3304)

May 17 2010

The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT), of which HLAA is a member organization, issued a news release May 5, 2010, thanking Senators Mark Pryor and John Kerry for introducing the “Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act (S. 3304). Similar to the “21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act” (HR 3301) introduced in the house, S. 3304 would modernize disability accessibility mandates in the Communications Act, bringing existing requirements up to date as television and phone services connect via the Internet and use new digital and broadband technologies.

Equal Access to Technology for People with Hearing and Vision Loss COAT Hearing on the Hill

May 1 2008

By Lise Hamlin
Director of Public Policy and State Development

May 1, 2008, Washington, D.C.: The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet held a hearing on “draft legislation enhancing access to broadband technology and services for persons with disabilities.” The draft legislation is titled, “21st Century Communications and Video Programming Accessibility Act.”

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act HR 6320 Introduced

Jan 1 2008

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act is being introduced TODAY in the House of Representatives with bipartisan sponsorship by Ed Markey (D-MA) and Heather Wilson (R-NM).  Hearing Loss Association of American is one of over 200 organizations that are part of the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT). We strongly support the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED:

Call or fax today to encourage your member of Congress to become a sponsor of this bill.