<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Phoenix Members:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Below is the article referenced in the braille monitor for July 2025 that dives deep into the legislative happenings nationally with our organization. The article is below the link. Remember the goal is to have an AZ lawmaker in our delegation to sponsor/co-sponsor a bill:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2507/bm250709.htm">https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2507/bm250709.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Legislative Update<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>by Chris Danielsen</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chris Danielsen" style='position:absolute;margin-left:218.8pt;margin-top:0;width:270pt;height:184.5pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:0;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:0;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page' o:allowoverlap="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=360 height=246 style='width:3.75in;height:2.5625in' src="cid:image001.jpg@01DBF899.271601C0" align=right alt="Chris Danielsen" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]>For those of us who love legislative advocacy and like to mark our calendars well in advance, we are pleased to share that the dates for the 2026 Washington Seminar have been set. It will take place January 26–29 at our usual headquarters, the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol–National Mall. In the meantime, momentum is already building around several key legislative initiatives in the 119th Congress. With critical advocacy from Federation members and strategic engagement on Capitol Hill, several bills central to the equality and opportunity of blind Americans have already been introduced and are gaining bipartisan support.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Legislative Progress<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (H.R. 3417), introduced by Representatives Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD), is a critical component of our current legislative agenda, as it has been in past Congresses. As a reminder, the bill addresses the persistent inaccessibility of websites and mobile applications, which in turn creates significant barriers to blind people’s full participation in society. It would establish a statutory definition of accessibility, hold third-party developers used by many small businesses accountable rather than forcing those businesses to bear the full weight of potential liability, and create a technical assistance center to help businesses implement accessible digital solutions. The bill is also supported across the blindness and disability fields. Here is the press release that was issued upon its introduction:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Disability Advocates Commend the Introduction of the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act<br>Comprehensive Legislation to Define, Support, and Enforce Digital Accessibility<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>May 20, 2025</b>—<b>Baltimore, MD:</b> The National Federation of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, and the National Disability Rights Network applaud the introduction of <b>the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, H.R. 3417</b>, into the House of Representatives by Representative Pete Sessions (Texas) and lead cosponsor Representative Steny Hoyer (Maryland). This legislation seeks to eliminate persistent digital accessibility barriers faced by blind and disabled Americans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>“For too long, blind Americans have faced inconsistent standards and persistent barriers in the digital world,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “This comprehensive Act will finally provide the clarity and enforcement mechanisms needed to ensure genuine digital inclusion. By establishing clear federal standards and supporting small businesses in implementation, we’re creating a framework for full participation in modern life. Whether accessing healthcare portals, applying for jobs, or shopping online, blind Americans deserve the same access as everyone else.” </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>“ACB strongly supports the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act because it brings us one step closer to a truly inclusive society,” says American Council of the Blind Executive Director Scott Thornhill. “This bill will finally make digital accessibility a legal requirement—not just a best practice—and ensure that websites and software are designed with everyone in mind from the start. ACB has long championed this critical issue, and we remain committed to advocate for its passage for as long as necessary.” </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Eric Bridges, President and CEO of American Foundation for the Blind shared, “Websites and digital applications remain some of the most frustrating barriers that blind and low-vision people face on a daily basis. This legislation would dramatically shift accessibility for people with disabilities and make it easier for businesses to create accessible websites and apps while enabling people with disabilities to use their products and services. Thank you to Representatives Sessions and Hoyer for reintroducing this legislation to improve access to work, school, shopping, and healthcare for blind Americans.”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>“For too long, digital access for people with disabilities has consistently been an afterthought, if thought of at all,” said Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN). “It’s absolutely critical that the tools and technologies essential for disabled people to navigate the ever-evolving online world are fully accessible.”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virtually all Americans are using the internet and mobile applications in some way. This legislation addresses long-standing concerns about the inconsistent accessibility of the digital environment. And it will position the United States as a global leader in digital inclusion while providing practical support to businesses implementing accessibility standards. Accessibility is achievable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Access Technology Affordability Act is also advancing. Recently introduced in the Senate as S. 1918 by Senator John Boozman (R-AR) with Senator Ben Ray Lujn (D-NM) as lead co-sponsor, and in the House as H.R. 1529 by Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA), the bill would provide a refundable $2,000 tax credit to blind individuals for the purchase of access technology. A dynamic economic analysis conducted by Mathematica indicates that this measure would save the federal government $315 million over five years by improving employment outcomes for blind people.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) is gaining traction in the House, championed by Representative Pete Sessions with Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) as lead co-sponsor. This legislation seeks to remove barriers in the Social Security Disability Insurance program that currently disincentivize employment for blind beneficiaries.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Ending Subminimum Wages<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>A major priority for the National Federation of the Blind remains the elimination of subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. The organization is pushing for reintroduction of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, which would phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Although the loss of a longtime champion in Congress, Cathy McMorris-Rogers, due to retirement has delayed reintroduction of the federal bill, progress continues at the state level. Georgia recently passed legislation that will phase out subminimum wages by 2027, while similar bills are advancing in Ohio and New York. These state-level victories reflect the growing national momentum to end this antiquated and discriminatory practice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Looking Ahead<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>With the 2026 Washington Seminar now scheduled, affiliates are encouraged to keep up their advocacy, particularly by securing more co-sponsors for the above legislation. As President Riccobono and NFB advocacy leaders emphasized in a recent update to affiliate legislative advocates, continued pressure from constituents is essential. They also stressed the importance of grassroots information sharing, which helps tailor national advocacy strategy based on local realities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>