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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Walls, Kyle via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 27, 2023 3:42 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] Regulatory Alert: September 27, 2023 - Website Accessibility<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As many of you likely know, on August 4, due in large part to the advocacy of the National Federation of the Blind, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published a <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/04/2023-15823/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web-information-and-services-of-state">notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding ADA Title II website and mobile app accessibility regulations</a>. After thirteen years of waiting we were pleased to see the Department of Justice release this long-anticipated proposed rule. However, the introduction of seven new exceptions to the proposed accessibility standard, which go far beyond the current defenses of undue burden and fundamental alteration, was gravely concerning. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind submitted <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-ada-title-ii-website-and-mobile-app-notice">our official comments</a> on September 19, but we believe the Department of Justice needs to hear from as many blind Americans as possible to fully understand how detrimental this proposed rule will be for the nation’s blind. That’s why we’re urging you to submit your own response to the NPRM. Include a story about how you, or someone you know, was negatively affected by an inaccessible state or local government-maintained website (this includes any website for the state or local government, public school, public college or university, city/county/state parks, public pool, public community centers, etc.). A suggested template for your response is: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I am writing in regard to RIN 1190-AA79, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[TELL YOUR PERSONAL STORY ABOUT STATE/LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITE INACCESSIBILITY]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If the proposed rule is published as is, with the seven new exceptions, I may not be able to access vital information about my community or education. It is almost certain that I will not be able to access government programs and services. Therefore, I oppose any rule that may be published containing any exceptions to accessibility other than the current defenses of undue burden and fundamental alteration that were codified in the original Americans with Disabilities Act.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can post your comments to the DOJ by visiting <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOJ-CRT-2023-0007-0001">https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOJ-CRT-2023-0007-0001</a>. That is a link directly to the comment page for the Title II website NPRM. Once there, you will have to enter your comment in the text box then select that you are an individual, which will bring up a place for you to enter your first and last name. Then you can click “Submit.” No other information is required. One suggestion is to formulate your comments ahead of time in a word processor program, then simply cut and paste them into the text box on the comment submission page. For those wanting to submit longer comments, the system also offers the opportunity to upload documents in docx, pdf, txt, rtf, and several other formats. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Comments are due prior to midnight Eastern time on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have any questions, please contact me at <a href="mailto:kwalls@nfb.org">kwalls@nfb.org</a>. Thank you for all that you do.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Be great!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kyle Walls<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Research and Regulatory Specialist<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-659-9314, extension 2223 | <a href="mailto:kwalls@nfb.org">kwalls@nfb.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt=Facebook></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt=Twitter></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt=Youtube></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>