[IL-Talk] CALL TO ACTION! Regarding The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998) and (H.R. 9021)

[Dustin Cather]

Greetings Fellow Federationist!

Great news, Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois has introduced  The
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998) onto the
floor of the Senate! Please take the time to call the senators office to
thank Senator Duckworth for her efforts to make this happen. You can call
Senator Duckworth at her DC at the following number (202) 224-2854.

Also, the house companion bill (H.R. 9021) has been introduced as well. We
need our members to call their local congressperson, and ask for
co-sponsorship of the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
(H.R. 9021).

Below you will find the press release regarding these two bills published
by our National Office. Please let either Desnise or I know if you have any
questions.

Best,
Dustin Cather

Senator Duckworth and Representative Sarbanes Introduce Bill to Make
Websites and Mobile Applications Accessible to Individuals with
Disabilities

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2022 — Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and
Representative John P. Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced The Websites and
Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998) and (H.R. 9021) in both
the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

The American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the
Blind (AFB), the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), and the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) commend Sen. Duckworth and Rep.
Sarbanes for their leadership and for introducing this legislation with the
full support and collaboration of the disability community. Once passed,
this legislation would require the Department of Justice and the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission to establish a clear and enforceable
uniform national framework for website and software application
accessibility, reaffirm that existing disability rights law covers websites
and software applications, and ensure that accessibility standards keep
pace with new and emerging technologies.

With respect to a website or application, accessibility means a website or
application that enables individuals with disabilities to access the same
information as, to engage in the same interactions as, to communicate and
to be understood as effectively as, and to enjoy the same services offered
to other individuals with the same privacy, independence, and ease of use
as individuals without disabilities.

For example, blind and low vision people often use screen-reader technology
that reads the content of websites and applications aloud or displays it on
a compatible braille device; people who are Deaf and hard of hearing
utilize closed captioning and remote video interpreters; people with
physical disabilities such as limited manual dexterity may require websites
that have full keyboard navigation; and people with communication or
speech-related disabilities may encounter barriers if a website uses voice
interaction or provides phone numbers as the only method to communicate
with the business.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and well before, so many Americans
relied on the Internet to work from home, order home goods and connect with
loved ones — and yet, too many websites and apps remain nearly impossible
to use by Americans with disabilities, barring them from these experiences
and opportunities,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this
legislation with Congressman Sarbanes to finally help make the web and
other technology more accessible for all users, including those in the
disability community.”

“Digital innovation is only as powerful as it is inclusive. As new and
emerging technologies have been incorporated into our daily lives, digital
inaccessibility has prevented Americans with disabilities from reaching a
broad range of health, education, employment and other critical resources.
To address this civil rights issue and remedy this longstanding inequity,
we need uniform, consistent standards that lay out what true digital
accessibility is and provide adequate mechanisms to enforce it,” said
Congressman Sarbanes. “The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility
Act will require federal agencies to provide clear regulations for reducing
barriers to web accessibility and help businesses and state and local
governments work toward compliance. Senator Duckworth and I are pleased to
introduce this legislation with the input of disability advocates to take
an important step to achieving equity and inclusion for all Americans.”

“We are delighted that this bill was introduced, and that Congress is
finally giving this issue the attention it deserves. We need to make sure
that people who are blind or have low vision are not left behind as our
world moves into an increasingly digital environment,” said ACB President
Dan Spoone.

“The past few years have shown us how important it is that our digital
infrastructure is accessible to everyone,” said Stephanie Enyart, Chief
Public Policy and Research Officer for the American Foundation for the
Blind. “Numerous research studies have revealed digital accessibility
barriers, so this bill will transform access to employment, education,
healthcare, and all other aspects of daily life for people who are blind
and have low vision.  We applaud Senator Duckworth and Representative
Sarbanes for introducing this legislation and committing to a digital
society that is inclusive of all people.”

“In a generation where technology has opened countless doors, it’s
appalling that so many users with disabilities are still kept from full
access to websites and applications because they are not designed with
universal access in mind, nor do they properly interact with assistive
technology,” said NDRN’s Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy Eric
Buehlmann. “It’s absolutely imperative that all people with disabilities
have equal access to online resources. We thank Senator Duckworth and
Representative Sarbanes for working with us on this much needed
legislation.”

“Although we have had some success in vindicating the right of blind
Americans to live and work in our increasingly digital world, individual
complaints and agreements simply cannot keep pace with the expansion and
evolution of technology, and entities who want to effectively serve
customers with disabilities are asking for guidance,” said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We therefore urge the
United States Congress to act swiftly on this common-sense legislation that
will finally close the gap caused by inaccessible technologies and clarify
and enforce what our nation’s disability laws and policies require.”

This legislation is supported by the following disability and civil rights
organizations: Access Living, American Association of People with
Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the
Blind, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, Bazelon Center
for Mental Health Law, Blinded Veterans Association, CommunicationFIRST,
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Epilepsy Foundation of
America, Hearing Loss Association of America, National Association of the
Deaf, National Council on Independent Living, National Disability
Institute, National Disability Rights Network, National Federation of the
Blind, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Telecommunications for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, Inc., The Arc, United Spinal Association, and Vietnam
Veterans of America.