[NFBNJ] FWD Importatn: Legislative Alert - Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act - 9/29/2023

[Linda Melendez]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
Dear Federation Family:



Thanks to everyone’s hard work the bipartisan Websites and Software
Applications Accessibility Act
<https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2984?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22duckworth%22%7D&s=2&r=1>
(S.
2984 /H.R. 5813) was introduced in both the Senate and the House of
Representatives yesterday. This is a culmination of your advocacy beginning
with Washington Seminar, and up to now. The Senate bill was introduced by
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and the House bill was introduced by
Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland. You can read more about the
introduction of the bill in Senator Duckworth’s official press release
<https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-sarbanes-sessions-reintroduce-bicameral-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-make-websites-and-software-applications-accessible-for-americans-with-disabilities>.
Senator Warren and Senator Markey have cosponsored the Senate bill and
Representative Pete Sessions cosponsored the House bill.



After years of advocacy, we are proud to have champions like Senator
Duckworth and Representative Sarbanes, but the real challenge has only just
begun. Now we have to shift our focus towards building support for the
legislation in order to get it through the committees, onto the floor of
the Senate and the House, and ultimately passed by both Chambers, to the
desk of the president. This is where your advocacy, as blind constituents
from every state in the Union who will benefit from the requirements of
this legislation, is more important than ever. Please call and email your
senators and representatives and ask them to cosponsor the Websites and
Software Applications Accessibility Act today!



When you call or email you might say something like:



"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of
[SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to
urge [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to cosponsor the Websites and Software
Applications Accessibility Act, [S. 2984/H.R. 5813]. This legislation would
ensure that blind and disabled Americans can have the same opportunity to
independently access websites and applications as our non-disabled peers.

Thanks."



You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard
and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121.


Inaccessible websites and applications are a barrier and prevent us from
living the lives we want. They prevent us from getting the education,
employment, and independence that we desire. This is why our advocacy for
this bill is so important.



Have a good weekend,



Jeff Kaloc

Governmental Affairs Specialist

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

410-659-9314, extension 2206 | jkaloc at nfb.org



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