For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Thornhill
Phone: (202) 559-2040
Email: sthornhill@acb.org
 

American Council of the Blind Responds to Federal Action Weakening Randolph-Sheppard Act Priority

On Thursday, December 11, the U.S. State Department adopted a new official font to be used for all official department documents. The Biden administration adopted the Calibri font. Many advocate that this font is most accessible for persons with low vision. Secretary Marco Rubio instructed that the department return to the use of Time New Roman. Many advocates in the disability community have spoken out. ACB’s low vision affiliate, CCLVI, along with other affiliates, plan to put out a public statement in opposition to this change.

Letter to the Editor by Claire Stanley, published in the Washington Post on December 15, 2025. 

For most people in D.C., hailing a ride is a mundane act. You tap a few buttons, wait a few minutes, get in and go. It is an extremely convenient way to get door to door when other options aren’t the right fit. For those of us who are blind or have low vision, that same routine is a source of profound anxiety because of uncertainty that I will be accepted by the driver.

Join ACB for our annual 2026 D.C Leadership Conference! Attendees will participate in educational sessions, engage with keynote speakers from the disability community, and meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The conference focuses on advancing key legislative priorities to promote independence and improve the quality of life for people who are blind or have low vision. The conference will feature dynamic keynote presentations and panel discussions with leaders from the disability rights community and government.

Over the years, Congress has introduced bills generally referred to as ADA notification bills. These bills have called for the creation of a policy where a business would have a set amount of time to be put on alert about an ADA violation. During that time frame, they would have the opportunity to remedy the violation. One of the best-known examples of such a bill was the passage of the House bill H.R. 620 in 2018. Much of the disability community has openly spoken out against such bills. The responsibility would be put on the person with a disability to notify the business.

A proposed settlement has been reached that would resolve the class action lawsuit Douglass v. Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-00771 (W.D. Pa.). The lawsuit alleges that Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc. violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., by failing to take the necessary steps to ensure its website and mobile apps does not discriminate against individuals who are Blind and/or who have a Visual Disability.

On November 21, the District Court in the state of Rhode Island issued a permanent injunction in the case of IMLS v. Trump. Previously, President Trump took steps to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The action was immediately challenged in court, where it was temporarily halted. This court ruling permanently vacates his actions. The court held that the dismantling of IMLS was unlawful, unconstitutional, and in direct violation of Congress’ clear statutory directives.