[CT-NFB] Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities | United States Department of Justice

[Mary Silverberg]

Jim,
Thanks for the good news!
Mary

On Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 7:18 AM Deb Reed via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Thank you Jim for this long overdue step in the right direction for
> Accessibility! We look forward to the definitive rule as the process goes
> forward.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 25, 2023, at 5:36 PM, Jim McCollum via CT-NFB <ct-nfb at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-advances-proposed-rule-strengthen-web-and-mobile-app-access-people
>
> Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App
> Access for People with Disabilities
> Tuesday, July 25, 2023
> *For Immediate Release*
>
> Office of Public Affairs
>
> The Justice Department sent to the Federal Register for publication a
> notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with
> Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile applications
> (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how public entities
> – primarily state and local governments – can meet their existing ADA
> obligations as many of their activities shift online.
>
> Across the United States, people routinely rely on web and mobile apps to
> access a variety of vital public programs and services like employment and
> educational resources, voting information, health and emergency services,
> parking, and transit schedules. The proposed rule is particularly
> significant in the wake of the pandemic, as public entities have
> significantly increased the scope of essential services and programs
> offered through the web and mobile apps. It is critical for these
> technologies to be accessible for people with disabilities.
>
> “This marks the first time in the history of the Americans with
> Disabilities Act that the Justice Department has issued a proposed rule on
> website accessibility,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This
> proposed rule seeks to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal
> access to the websites and apps that connect them to essential services
> provided by state and local governments.”
>
> “This proposed rule, which is the culmination of years of work and
> collaboration, is a historic moment for the Justice Department,” said
> Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “It will help enshrine the right
> of Americans with disabilities to access critical information needed to
> lead safe, productive, and prosperous lives.”
>
> “This proposed rule marks a significant milestone in the Justice
> Department’s efforts to advance accessibility in the digital sphere,” said
> Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil
> Rights Division. “This groundbreaking moment makes clear our commitment to
> eradicating the barriers faced by people with disabilities and affording
> equal access to online government programs and services that people around
> the country depend on every day. We will continue to use every tool
> available to ensure that people with disabilities are provided full access
> to the digital town square.”
>
> As state and local governments continue to move more of their programs and
> activities online – from applying for permits to checking the status of
> service requests, registering vehicles, and paying taxes and fees –
> ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to these same
> services is essential. When websites and mobile apps are not accessible,
> they can be difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to
> use. This can block people with disabilities from readily accessing
> important government services and programs that others can quickly and
> easily obtain online.
>
> The Department is eager to hear from the public and get input from
> relevant stakeholders on the regulatory proposal set forth in our
> forthcoming proposed rule. The proposed rule will soon be available for
> review on the Federal Register’s website at www.federalregister.gov. A
> fact sheet that provides information about the proposed rule will soon be
> available on www.ada.gov. The Department invites the public to submit
> their comments on the proposed rule once it is published. The comment
> period will be open for 60 days from the date the proposed rule is
> published. Public comments can be submitted on www.regulations.gov.
>
> For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the
> Department’s website <https://www.justice.gov/crt>. For more information
> on the ADA, please call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at
> 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit the ADA website
> <http://www.ada.gov/>.
>
>
> Jim Y. McCollum
> Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
> 860-581-0430
> j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
> http://NFBCT.org
>
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