The American Council of the Blind (ACB) invites you to join us in celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of this annual day of observance is to raise awareness of how the lives of people with disabilities have been improved by accessibility while still recognizing the work that remains to make the virtual environment inclusive for all.
ACB’s GAAD Celebration
On a special video edition of the ACB Advocacy Update as we commemorate GAAD with a discussion about the importance of digital access with particular focus on the experiences of people who have multiple disabilities. Clark Rachfal, ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB Advocacy & Outreach Specialist, Dan Spoone, ACB Interim Executive Director, and Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of ACB’s Sight and Sound Impaired Committee take part in this conversation. Access ACB’s GAAD video presentation on YouTube.
Bipartisan Open Letter Supporting Digital Access
The Honorable Tony Coehlo and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich released a bipartisan open letter urging Congress to identify digital accessibility challenges faced by members of the disability community and create new legislation to make the virtual environment accessible for all. In April, ACB and other disability organizations met with the Honorable Tony Coehlo and Former Speaker Newt Gingrich to discuss digital inclusion, and continue to take part in this conversation to make digital accessibility a bipartisan issue. Read the open letter.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Statement for Digital Inclusion
On Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2023, 52 national disability organizations have joined together to celebrate the transformative impact of accessible technology and call on the federal government to require websites and software applications to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The roughly 61 million people with disabilities in the United States have a right to access employment, businesses, programs, and services, regardless of whether they are delivered in-person or online. We urge all organizations, businesses, and governments to act now to make their websites and apps fully accessible to people with disabilities. Read the GAAD statement from national disability advocates.
ACB’s 2023 Legislative Imperatives
ACB has four legislative imperatives in 2023. These areas of focus highlight ACB’s ongoing work to create a more accessible and inclusive world, as we strive to break down barriers and ensure equal access to information, technology, and opportunities for people with disabilities.
- Medical Device Non-Visual Accessibility Act
- Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
- Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
- Exercise and Fitness for All Act
Accessible Video Conferencing Platforms
On May 17, Senator Edward J. Markey and Representative Anna G. Eshoo released a press release applauding the FCC for announcing proposals that would for the first time ensure video conferencing platforms comply with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. This announcement mirrors requirements in the lawmakers’ legislation, the Communication, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act. The CVTA is an ACB legislative imperative, and accessible access to video conferencing platforms is critical for ACB and our members to engage in our modern digital world. We commend Chair Rosenworcel from the FCC for moving this issue forward under the Commission’s existing authority, and we commend Sen. Markey and Rep. Eshoo for their leadership to ensure communications technology is accessible for everyone. Read the press release: Sen. Markey, Rep. Eshoo Applaud FCC for Proposed Video Conferencing Accessibility Rules.
DOJ and Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education issued a joint Dear Colleague letter on the online accessibility of colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions. Many colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions increasingly rely on their websites and third-party online platforms to provide services, programs, and activities to members of the public including learning platforms, podcasts and videos, and third-party platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The letter reiterates that Title II of the ADA and Section 504 requires that these institutions provide equal opportunities to people with disabilities in all their operations and highlights recent web accessibility enforcement activities and technical assistance.