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The Washington Connection 4-17-26

Welcome to the Washington Connection, the legislative and information service of the American Council of the Blind. The Washington Connection is brought to you by the ACB national office. If you have any questions or comments on the information provided, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask to speak with Claire Stanley.

The Washington Connection is updated any time we have new information to share with you. The following articles are available as of April 17, 2026. Messages 2 and 4 are new; message 7 has been updated.

Thank you for calling the Washington Connection.

ACB Signs Onto Letter to Speak Out Against a New ‘Notice and Cure’ Bill

 

ACB signed onto a letter with other disability advocates to reach out to Congress to speak out against a new “notice and cure” bill that would amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Similar bills have unfortunately continued to pop up over the years. These bills would give businesses a timeframe to make their services accessible to people with disabilities after they are notified of the access barrier.

This newest bill, H.R. 6453, would give private businesses 30 days to make their business accessible in the built environment after a person with a disability notifies them of the access barrier. At this time, the bill speaks only of the built environment, not digital access.

ACB signed onto this support letter urging the Judiciary Committee, the governing committee, to work against this bill. The ADA has been around for 36 years; businesses should already know what they are required to do. Furthermore, a notice and cure period makes it impossible for persons with disabilities to access the businesses when needed. A patron should not be burdened with notifying the business and then be told to wait at least 30 days to gain access.

The support letter can be found on the advocacy page of the ACB website.

 

Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act Reintroduced in Congress

 

We’re thrilled to announce that one of ACB's legislative imperatives, the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act, was reintroduced in Congress on April 16th.

This bipartisan bill updates the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) to ensure people with disabilities can fully access today’s communication and video technologies.

The CVTA Act would:

  • Strengthen closed captioning and audio description for TV and streaming
  • Make accessibility features easier to find and use across devices
  • Improve access to video conferencing platforms
  • Expand equitable access to 9-1-1 services
  • Ensure accessibility rules keep pace with emerging tech like AI and virtual reality

ACB proudly supports the CVTA Act and applauds Senator Edward Markey’s leadership in advancing this bill. We’ve worked alongside a broad coalition of disability advocates to move this legislation forward, including making it a priority at this year’s D.C. Leadership Conference. 

Stay tuned for more details about the CVTA Act, including how you can help ACB advocate for its passage.

The text of this bill is not yet on Congress.gov, but can be accessed at this link: https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/communications_video_and_technology_accessibility_act.pdf

A one-pager on this bill is available at the following link: https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cvta_one_pager.pdf

Read Senator Markey's press release here: https://tinyurl.com/4jfnvbez 

 

ACB Advocating for Passage of the We Can’t Wait Act of 2026

 

ACB has a new Speak4 campaign advocating for the passage of the We Can't Wait Act of 2026. One of the biggest issues regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is the five-month gap between the approval of the SSDI application and the start of SSDI payments. This bill would amend the Social Security Act to allow individuals who are applying for disability benefits to elect to receive a portion of their SSDI benefits during that five-month waiting period in exchange for a moderate reduction in their monthly benefit amount.

It only takes a few moments of your time to ask your representatives to support this important piece of legislation at the following link: https://speak4.app/lp/fn01vsao?ts=1773953961

Thank you!

 

DOJ Plans to Publish Interim Final Rule Regarding Title II of the ADA

 

We have received notice that on Monday, April 20, 2026, the Department of Justice plans to publish an Interim Final Rule (IFR) regarding Title II regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title II of the ADA applies to state and local government entities, including public universities, courts, school districts, and legislatures.

Originally, state and local government entities with a total population of 50,000 or more had until April 24, 2026, to make their web content and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities. Public entities with a total population of less than 50,000 people, or any special district government, had until April 26, 2027, to comply. According to the unpublished IFR, the compliance date for state and local government entities with a total population of 50,000 or more will be extended to April 26, 2027. The compliance date for public entities with a total population of less than 50,000, or any special district government, will be extended to April 26, 2028. This IFR goes into effect on the date of publication, which is likely April 20, 2026. Once published, there will be a 60-day window where the public may comment on the IFR.

Although this IFR only extends the dates of compliance, the DOJ states that in the future, they will be considering substantive changes to the regulations which implement title II of the ADA. However, we do not yet know what these substantive changes may be. We will share as more information is available.

ACB strongly opposes the delay. Extending these deadlines denies timely access to essential government services and information, forcing people with disabilities to wait even longer for rights that should already be guaranteed. Under this IFR, the progress made two years ago with the 2024 final rule (which followed approximately 14 years of dedicated consideration and public comment) has been postponed. People with disabilities deserve equal access to every aspect of public life, including the web content and mobile applications of state and local governments and the entities they encompass. 

ACB will be submitting formal comments in opposition to this IFR once it has been published. We encourage members and other advocates to also submit comments during the 60-day public comment period and call on the Department of Justice to reverse this decision.

Although the rule is not yet published, and therefore technically could be withdrawn before publication, an unpublished version is available for download on the Federal Register. The page on the Federal Register is linked here: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-07663

The pdf document of the unpublished rule is linked here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-07663.pdf

 

Tell Congress to Support the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act! 

 

For many people with disabilities, paratransit rides must be scheduled 24 hours or more in advance, making it difficult to handle last-minute needs like medical appointments, work changes, or daily errands.

The Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act (H.R. 8128), recently introduced in the House, would expand access to same-day paratransit services. This gives riders greater flexibility, independence, and control over their schedules.

This bill would:

  • Reduce barriers caused by advance scheduling requirements
  • Leverage modern technology to improve service
  • Expand mobility and opportunity for paratransit users

Reliable, flexible transportation is essential to full participation in daily life. Join ACB in urging Congress to support H.R. 8128 and improve access to same-day paratransit. 

Take action here: https://speak4.app/lp/az01hshx?ts=1775134296

ACB’s Claire Stanley shares a summary of this proposed legislation on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xQt6gyh-RwU

Note: the text of the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act is not yet up on Congress.gov. However, you can use the links below to find more information on the text of the bill.

Link to Congresswoman Simon's press release, which includes links to the one-pager and bill text: https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-simon-introduces-legislation-support-more-flexible-and

Link to the Congresswoman's one-pager on the bill: https://simon.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/simon.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/same-day-paratransit-innovation-act-one-pager-march-2026.pdf

Link to the text of the bill: https://simon.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/simon.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/final-paratransit-bill-text.pdf

 

Notice of Digital Accessibility Settlement Concerning the Settling Parties’ Websites

 

A proposed settlement has been reached that would resolve the class action lawsuit Douglass v. Pharmavite LLC, et al, Case No. 2:25-cv-01721-MRH (W.D. Pa.). The lawsuit alleges that defendants in that suit (the “Settling Parties”) did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., by failing to take the necessary steps to ensure their websites do not discriminate against individuals who are blind and/or who have a visual disability. The Settling Parties deny the allegations in the suit, and deny any wrongdoing or liability. 

Under the settlement, the Settling Parties agree to court-approved provisions designed to make their websites and any new websites they develop or acquire more accessible to individuals who are blind and/or who have a visual disability. 

For a more complete summary of the terms of the proposed settlement, please visit https://www.phvadasettlement.com. Have questions? Contact East End Trial Group at https://eastendtrialgroup.com.

 

Last Chance to Nominate a Film and Series for the 2026 Audio Description People’s Choice Awards

 

The Audio Description Project’s (ADP) People’s Choice Awards is accepting nominations through Sunday, April 19. The winners will be announced during the 2026 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala, airing virtually on Thursday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET. To submit your nominations, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AD-Awards-Nominations-2026. 

There are two phases in the selection process for the Audio Description People’s Choice Awards. First, the ADP will accept nominations in two categories, film and series, from April 4 through April 19. Second, the top titles in each category will compete for the grand prize during a two-week voting period in July.

Be sure to review the nomination criteria before submitting your nominations. Remember that the focus is on the quality of the audio description, not the show itself, and you may nominate a film or series only once. The Audio Description People’s Choice Awards nomination form can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AD-Awards-Nominations-2026

To make your nominations by phone, call (202) 467-5081.

The Audio Description Awards Gala celebrates inclusivity and recognizes the entertainment industry’s role in providing access to film and television through audio description for people who are blind or have low vision. The Audio Description People’s Choice Award is a unique opportunity for fans to get involved by showing their support for the audio description they love the most.

Learn more at www.ADAwardsGala.org. Submit your nominations by Sunday, April 19: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AD-Awards-Nominations-2026. 

 

FAA Survey Regarding Aircraft Evacuations

 

The Federal Aviation Administration’s survey for passengers with disabilities regarding aircraft evacuations is now live. Please follow the link below to participate and provide your input. This is an important opportunity to offer the experiences of blind and low vision airline passengers.

https://faafedramp.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b41izyhWyixv60C