[NFBA-Phoenix] July 2025 Legislative information

Sat Jul 19 17:37:50 UTC 2025

Phoenix Members:

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:

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2507/bm250709.htm

Legislative Update

by Chris Danielsen

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 2629 at our
usual headquarters, the Holiday Inn Washington CapitolNational 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.

Legislative Progress

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 peoples 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:

Disability Advocates Commend the Introduction of the Websites and Software
Applications Accessibility Act
Comprehensive Legislation to Define, Support, and Enforce Digital
Accessibility

May 20, 2025Baltimore, MD: 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 the Websites
and Software Applications Accessibility Act, H.R. 3417, 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.

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, were 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. 

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 requirementnot just a best
practiceand 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. 

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.

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). Its absolutely
critical that the tools and technologies essential for disabled people to
navigate the ever-evolving online world are fully accessible.

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.

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 Luján (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.

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.

Ending Subminimum Wages

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.

Looking Ahead

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.

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