Updated January 13, 2025
AFB’s Public Policy and Research Institute has been working with the National Federation of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, and the National Disability Rights Network to introduce and pass the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act. This legislation is one of our top priorities to address digital access barriers for people who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind.
If passed, this legislation would require that employers, state and local governments, and most businesses open to the public make their websites and applications accessible. It would require the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to establish a clear and enforceable uniform national framework for website and software application accessibility and ensure that accessibility standards keep pace with new and emerging technologies.
The bill does not amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but it mirrors aspects of the ADA and uses a similar framework. The ADA itself still applies to websites. One of the most important new provisions of this bill is that third party web and application developers would be held accountable for making websites and apps accessible. Currently, they are not held accountable, which is problematic for both people with disabilities and business owners. In addition, the bill provides information and grants to entities who need assistance making the transformation to more accessible digital content and platforms.
Take Action!
Take direct action by contacting your member of Congress.
You can advocate for this bill by encouraging your two Senators and one Representative to introduce the Websites and Applications Accessibility Act. Members of Congress need to know that their constituents support proposed legislation. Every call and every voice makes a difference!
Here are sample scripts you can use during your calls. Feel free to adapt it to share your challenges with inaccessible websites and applications.
When calling your two Senators:
“Hi, my name is (Your Name). I’m calling from (City, State). I’m calling to urge Senator (Name) to support the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act which was introduced by Senator Duckworth in the last Congress. Lack of digital accessibility reduces employment, education, healthcare and community living opportunities for millions of people with disabilities. I hope that the Senator will take action to support greater digital access for people who are blind or have low vision.”
When calling your Representative:
“Hi, my name is (Your Name). I’m calling from (City, State). I’m calling to urge Representative (Name) to support the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, which was introduced by Representative Sessions in the last congress. Lack of digital accessibility reduces employment, education, healthcare and community living opportunities for millions of people with disabilities. I hope that my Representative will take action to support greater digital access for people who are blind or have low vision.”
You can find the name and contact information for your Senator here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Find your Representative here: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Alternatively, you can call the US Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. You'll need to call three times to reach both Senators and your Representative.
Additional Resources
AFB, ACB, NDRN, and NFB joint press release
Senator Duckworth press release
Bill Information on Congress.gov, including the bill text
Supporters
Organizational Supporters as of 9/28/2022:
- Access Living
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- American Council of the Blind
- American Foundation for the Blind
- Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
- Blinded Veterans Association
- CommunicationFIRST
- Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
- Epilepsy Foundation of America
- Hearing Loss Association of America
- National Association of the Deaf
- National Council on Independent Living
- National Disability Institute
- National Disability Rights Network
- National Federation of the Blind
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- TDI
- The Arc
- United Spinal Association
- Vietnam Veterans of America
