[NFBMI-Talk] Justice Department Advances Proposed Title II Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities

[Kane Brolin]

It's no secret that we in the National Federation of the Blind
promoted the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
strongly at #NFBWS23.  But it is also no secret that this act has yet
to be formally introduced to either chamber of Congress as I write
this on July 26, 2023.

Fortunately, some people in the executive branch of the U.S. federal
government are keeping their eye on the ball and figuring out how to
set and enforce standards applying to state and local government
Websites without Congress' necessarily having to get involved.  I
presume that DOJ is trying to come up with guidance that will serve as
a safe harbor against lawsuits if an entity demonstrates they have
abided by this guidance.

The following message came to me indirectly, from a listserv
maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice.

------- Original Message -------
From: "U.S. Department of Justice" <usdoj at public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 4:06 PM

The Attorney General [Merrick Garland] has signed a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (NPRM) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile application (app) 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. The Department of Justice has
sent the NPRM to the Federal Register for publication. The Department
has published a press release about its proposed rule.

Once published, the proposed rule will be available for review and
public comment on the Federal Register’s website at
https://www.federalregister.gov/. The Department will send a follow-up
announcement once the Federal Register publishes the NPRM.

To find out more about the ADA, visit https://www.ada.gov/ or call the
Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 1-800-514-0301
(voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).

Cordially,

Kane Brolin
President, Indiana State Affiliate
National Federation of the Blind
(574)386-8868