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<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning to all, this is exciting news. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Carlos Montas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Bilingual Investigator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">New Orleans Field Office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">500 Poydras Street, Suite 809<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">New Orleans, LA 70130<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone: 504-635-2539<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Work cell: 504-491-8702<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Blind-Gov <blind-gov-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of
</b>rothmanjd--- via Blind-Gov<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, July 25, 2024 9:27 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'List for blind government employees' <blind-gov@nfbnet.org>; 'Blind Law Mailing List' <blindlaw@nfbnet.org><br>
<b>Cc:</b> rothmanjd@gmail.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Blind-Gov] Casey, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Make Federal Technology More Accessible for People with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<b><span style="color:black">CAUTION: </span></b><span style="color:black">The sender of this message is external to the EEOC network. Please use care when clicking on links and responding with sensitive information. Forward suspicious emails to
<a href="mailto:phishing@eeoc.gov">phishing@eeoc.gov</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sharing the below – it’s a fantastic bill that some of our members helped advocate for.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#1F497D">Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style="color:#1F497D">President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Pronouns: she, her, hers</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Linnehan, Misha (Casey) <<a href="mailto:Misha_Linnehan@casey.senate.gov">Misha_Linnehan@casey.senate.gov</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, July 24, 2024 10:37 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Linnehan, Misha (Casey) <<a href="mailto:Misha_Linnehan@casey.senate.gov">Misha_Linnehan@casey.senate.gov</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Casey, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Make Federal Technology More Accessible for People with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><img border="0" width="517" height="139" style="width:5.3819in;height:1.4513in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DADE81.0B289F50"></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">July 24, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Contact<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Misha_Linnehan@casey.senate.gov"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Misha Linnehan</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> (Casey): 202-839-7782<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Taylor_Harvey@finance.senate.gov">Taylor Harvey</a> (Wyden): 202-224-7909<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Charlie_Hills@fetterman.senate.gov">Charlie Hills</a> (Fetterman): 202-228-6099<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:Celia_Olivas@duckworth.senate.gov">Celia Olivas</a> (Duckworth): 202-228-2661<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Casey, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Make Federal Technology More Accessible for People with Disabilities</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Casey’s new
</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/section_508_refresh_act_one_pager.pdf">Section 508 Refresh Act</a>
<i>would require federal agencies take several steps to ensure people with disabilities can use federal technology, including websites<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">While Section 508 of the
</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Rehabilitation Act<i> requires federal technology to be accessible for people with disabilities, a
</i></span><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-investigation-details-widespread-failure-by-federal-government-to-ensure-web-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-older-adults-and-veterans"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2022
Casey investigation</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> found that agency technology still falls short<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Casey: “We would not ask someone using a wheelchair to walk up the courthouse steps, but we are doing something similar
when we ask people with disabilities to use federal website, apps, kiosks, and other technologies that are not accessible”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Washington, D.C.</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman
of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, John Fetterman (D-PA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the
<i><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/section_508_refresh_act_one_pager.pdf">Section 508 Refresh Act</a></i>, a new bill that would require federal agencies to take a series of steps to ensure people with disabilities can use the federal government’s
technology. While Section 508 of the <i>Rehabilitation Act</i> requires agencies to make federal technology accessible, a 2022 Senate Aging Committee investigation by Chairman Casey found that department and agency technology, particularly within the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA), is often out of compliance. In the investigation, Casey showed how these accessibility failures were creating barriers for people with disabilities who rely on federal technology for essential services, including health care, employment
services, and Social Security benefits. Casey’s new bill will make the first significant changes to Section 508 since 1998, putting in place a framework that will hold agencies accountable for accessibility requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">“The federal government has an obligation to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities, including its websites and technology,”
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">said Chairman Casey.<b> “We would not ask someone using a wheelchair to walk up the courthouse steps, but we are doing something similar when we ask people with disabilities
to use federal websites, apps, kiosks, and other technologies that are not accessible. I’m introducing the
<i>Section 508 Refresh Act </i>to compel federal agencies to make their technology accessible and ensure people with disabilities are not locked out of essential government services and resources.”
<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">“Technology can’t serve as a tool to make life easier if people can’t access it in the first place,” </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">said
Senator Wyden.<b> “Federal agencies shouldn’t be asking people with disabilities to move mountains in order to participate in everyday life for matters as basic as employment and health care. The federal government has a responsibility to serve the public
by making sure that everyone can access and benefit from these technologies.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">“It's clear that the federal government is not doing enough to ensure services are accessible to people with disabilities,”
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">said Senator Fetterman.<b> “People with disabilities deserve better. By updating Section 508, this bill would enact long overdue requirements to ensure people with disabilities
have equitable access to federal government services. I’m proud to cosponsor it.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Congress last made significant changes to Section 508 in 1998, when many federal agencies were just starting to use the internet, post online content, and have
all government workers use computers. The <i>Section 508 Refresh Act</i> will enact long overdue updates to the law. Specifically, bill will:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Require federal departments and agencies to include people with disabilities who consume government services and information or work as government employees in the acquisition and accessibility
testing of federal technology.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reform the complaint process for Section 508 and establish a new process for deciding what federal technology is purchased – with rigorous accountability requirements for ensuring the technology
is accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="color:black;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mandate regular testing to ensure technology being used by federal departments and agencies is accessible to federal workers and all Americans using federal programs and information.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Direct each federal department and agency to appoint qualified, dedicated Section 508 compliance officers to ensure the technology purchased and used by their departments and agencies is accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Chairman Casey has led the charge to improve the accessibility of government websites and other technology. In a report issued in December 2022 entitled </span><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-investigation-details-widespread-failure-by-federal-government-to-ensure-web-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-older-adults-and-veterans"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Unlocking
the Virtual Front Door</span></i></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, Chairman Casey found that inaccessible federal technology creates barriers for people with disabilities to access essential services, including VA benefits,
health care, employment, Social Security, and more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In 2020, Chairman Casey passed the<i> </i></span><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/bipartisan-casey-moran-bill-to-ensure-va-website-accessibility-passes-house-goes-to-president-for-signature"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">VA
Website Accessibility Act</span></i></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> that required VA to report on the accessibility of the Department’s websites and kiosks. VA’s report to Congress, released in 2021, found that only
10 percent of VA’s websites were fully accessible. In response, Chairman Casey </span><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-leads-bipartisan-letter-urging-veterans-affairs-to-make-websites-accessible-for-people-with-disabilities"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">led
a bipartisan push</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> for VA to do better.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To further advance accessibility at VA, Chairman Casey last year introduced the bipartisan </span><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-scott-introduce-bill-to-ensure-va-services-are-accessible-for-veterans-with-disabilities"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Veterans
Accessibility Act</span></i></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, which is supported by 15 veterans service organizations and disability groups. The legislation would establish a Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access
at VA that issues regular reports on VA’s compliance with federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Read more about the
<i>Section 508 Refresh Act </i><a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/section_508_refresh_act_one_pager.pdf">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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