What is “COAT”?

COAT is the Coalition of Organizations for Accessibility Technology
We got our start in 2007, fighting for inclusive digital technologies such as high-speed broadband, online video, and wireless and other Internet-based products and services. Our efforts to close gaps in access to emerging communication and video programming technologies were successful with the passage of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Programming Accessibility Act (CVAA) in 2010. Since passage of the CVAA, disability access to many of these technologies has successfully ensured our societal participation and connectivity.  However, new and future technologies, such as those that rely on artificial intelligence and augmented reality, can threaten this access if federal accessibility protections do not cover these new innovations.

In 2022, COAT came back together to continue this mission of ensuring the accessibility of evolving technologies.  Our efforts are now dedicated to passage of the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act, or the “CVTA.” This legislation will ensure that people with disabilities have full access to the ever-expanding video programming options on TV and the Internet.  It will also guarantee that our communities are included in all aspects of daily living through accessible communication technologies as these continue to evolve.  Our overriding goal is to ensure accessibility regulations keep pace with emerging technologies, so that people with disabilities are not left behind nor excluded from today’s technological advances.

COAT continues to grow, adding national, state, and community-based organizations and their allies across the United States. COAT‘s organizations and advocates (listed below) are fighting for legislative and regulatory safeguards that will ensure full access to technology by people with disabilities.