Skip to main content

The Washington Connection 5-13-26

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 May 13, 2026. Messages 2, 3 and 7 are new.

Thank you for calling the Washington Connection.

Encourage Your Congressmember to Oppose the ACCESS Act

 

Congress is considering a bill which would amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This is a "notice and cure" bill which takes away a disabled person's right to sue a business for noncompliance with the ADA, unless that person first provides detailed written notice of the ADA violation, waits 60 days for the business to provide a written description of how they plan to address, or cure, the violation, and then waits another 60 days for substantial progress to be made in addressing that violation. That means there could be at least 120 days before a business makes itself accessible, or a person with a disability gains the right to sue for noncompliance. The ACCESS Act would weaken the enforcement of the ADA, and businesses would not have incentive to make their buildings and websites accessible until they receive notice. 

To encourage your Congressmember to oppose the ACCESS Act, you can access the Speak4 campaign here: https://speak4.app/lp/rt01psna?ts=1777908806. 

 

Have Your Say in ACB’s Future

 

ACB Forward Initiative is ACB’s five-year strategic planning effort focused on listening, learning, and preparing the organization for the future. Previously known as the Legacy and Future Readiness Initiative, the project has a new name but the same purpose: to build on ACB’s strengths, preserve what members value most, and ensure the organization is ready for the next 10 years and beyond.

ACB, and the world around us, has changed in recent years, including how people connect, communicate, participate, and lead. ACB Forward Initiative is designed to help the organization adapt to these changes while staying true to its identity and values.

ACB is currently midway through Year 1, known as the Scan phase. This phase is focused on listening and learning from members and stakeholders so that future decisions are based on real experiences, not assumptions. Hearing directly from members and stakeholders is essential because ACB is a member-driven organization, and strong planning depends on understanding what members value, what is working well, and what could be improved.

As part of this effort, ACB members and interested stakeholders are invited to complete the ACB Forward Initiative Focus Group Interest Form if they would like to be considered for a virtual focus group between June and August 2026.

Complete the interest form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTm46p5Z0YdHoLNzjk76j03MEbr-F8-Oho97M_P3vWbY7T6Q/viewform?usp=dialog 

The form allows you to share your interest and provide basic information about your experiences and involvement in ACB. This helps the project team select participants in a way that reflects a broad range of perspectives across the organization.

We encourage members and stakeholders from all backgrounds and experiences to complete the form, including affiliate chapter members, members-at-large, Community Program participants even if you are not a member of ACB, scholarship recipients, longtime members, newer members, and others across ACB.

Not everyone who volunteers will be selected. Participants will be chosen intentionally to ensure a balanced and inclusive group representing many different viewpoints. However, every response is valuable and helps support a thoughtful and representative listening process.

Your voice matters. Completing the interest form is one way to contribute to ACB Forward Initiative and help shape the future of the organization.

 

HHS Publishes Interim Final Rule Regarding Section 504

 

On Monday, May 11, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) regarding the Section 504 rules under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Section 504 rules of the Rehab Act apply to entities which receive federal financial assistance from HHS, including hospitals, clinics, child welfare organizations, and social service providers. Similar to the IFR recently published by the Department of Justice, the IFR from HHS extends the compliance deadlines for the implementation of technical requirements for accessible web content and mobile applications.

Originally, recipients of HHS funds with 15 or more employees had until May 11, 2026, to make their web content and mobile applications accessible to people with disabilities by complying with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 Level AA. Recipients with fewer than 15 employees had until May 10, 2027, to comply. According to the published IFR, the compliance date for recipients with 15 or more employees have been extended to May 11, 2027. The compliance date for recipients with fewer than 15 employees have been extended to May 10, 2028. This IFR went into effect on the date of publication, which was May 11, 2026. The public may provide comments regarding the IFR until July 6, 2026.

Although this IFR only extends the dates of compliance, the HHS states that in the future, they will be considering substantive changes to the regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehab Act. 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 healthcare services and information, forcing people with disabilities to wait even longer for rights that should already be guaranteed. The importance of accessibility in healthcare, including websites, apps, and online forms, cannot be overstated for the blind and low vision community. 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 entities which receive funding from HHS. 

ACB will be submitting formal comments in opposition to this IFR urging the Department to rescind it. We encourage members and other advocates to also submit comments during the public comment period and call on the Department of Health and Human Services to reverse this decision.

The published version of this rule is available for download on the Federal Register. The page on the Federal Register is linked here: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-09266/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web-content-and-mobile-applications-of

The PDF document of the unpublished rule is linked here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-09266.pdf

 

ACB Statement Regarding the ADA Title II Interim Final Rule

 

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is deeply troubled by the Interim Final Rule (IFR) published on April 20 by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding Title II website regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accessing websites has become so ingrained in daily life that most Americans are likely unaware how often they rely on them. However, because many websites are coded improperly, people who are blind or have low vision are often partially or completely unable to use them due to incompatibility with assistive technology.

The disability community has long advocated for regulations that require covered entities to design websites that are fully accessible. This process followed all required administrative steps, with ample opportunity for public comment. When the regulations were finalized in 2024, entities were given two years to comply. Yet, after that 14-year process, the federal government has delayed implementation. Accessible websites were within reach, and this IFR has unnecessarily delayed that progress.

ACB urges the federal government to rescind the IFR and implement the Title II website regulations as intended. We, along with many other disability advocacy organizations, will be submitting comments to the Department of Justice underscoring the need for these regulations and the harm caused by this delay. We also encourage allies to submit their own comments in response to the recent publication. 

To access the Federal Register notice and submit a comment, go to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/20/2026-07663/extension-of-compliance-dates-for-nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web.

 

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

 

Indiana Drops Out of the Texas v. Kennedy Lawsuit

 

We are pleased to announce that Indiana has dropped out of the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit which aims to weaken the community integration mandate of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This lawsuit, originally called Texas v. Becerra, was first filed in 2024 by 17 states which asked the court to get rid of Section 504. In February of 2026, nine states filed an amended complaint targeting Section 504, and the case became known as Texas v. Kennedy. Now that Indiana has dropped out, only eight states are part of this lawsuit which claims that Section 504 rules are unconstitutional. These states are fighting against the rights of people with disabilities to live in their communities and not be forced into nursing homes, hospitals, or other more restrictive care settings. Congratulations to the Indiana advocates who have been working tirelessly to get their state to drop out of this lawsuit!

If you live in one of the remaining states that are part of this case, we strongly encourage you to contact your governor and your state attorney general to tell them they should also drop out! The remaining states are: Alaska, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas. I have included the contact info for each office below. Thank you!

Alaska Governor's Office: 907-465-3500

Alaska Attorney General's Office: 907-269-5100

Florida Governor's Office: 850-717-9337

Florida Attorney General's Office: 850-414-3300

Kansas Governor's Office: 785-296-3232

Kansas Attorney General's Office: 785-296-2215

Louisiana Governor's Office: 225-342-0991

Louisiana Attorney General's Office: 877-297-0995

Missouri Governor's Office: 573-751-3222

Missouri Attorney General's Office: 573-751-3321

Montana Governor's Office: 406-444-3111

Montana Attorney General's Office: 406-444-2026

South Dakota Governor's Office: 605-773-3212

South Dakota Attorney General's Office: 605-773-3215

Texas Governor's Office: 512-463-2000

Texas Attorney General's Office: 512-463-2100

 

Support the Blind Americans Return to Work Act

 

Today, Americans who are blind receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) face an unfair “earnings cliff” — if they earn just a bit too much, their benefits are cut off completely. This system discourages people from working and limits economic independence.

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R.1175, would replace the cliff with a fair, gradual reduction in benefits. This model would empower people who are blind to pursue meaningful employment without fear of losing all support.

Since launching our advocacy campaign for the Blind Americans Return to Work Act last fall, the bill has picked up 29 additional sponsors, including 8 last month! Let’s keep the momentum going by sending a message to your members of Congress here: https://speak4.app/lp/5t01cset/?ts=1759238261

 

Develop Accessible Audible Information Messages for Work Zones

 

Subject: Seeking participants who are blind or have low vision for a research study   
 
You can help determine the work zone audible messages to be used when sidewalk closures are required in work zones. Audible information devices are intended to provide information to pedestrians with visual disabilities that is equivalent to visual signage for notifications of
sidewalk closures and to indicate a temporary path around a construction area, using a speech message. Such messages are required by PROWAG, but there are no requirements or guidance as to the nature of the messages. 

Accessible Design for the Blind is looking for volunteers who are blind or have low vision, who cross streets independently, and are an adult at least 19 years of age, to participate by being interviewed. The interview will be conducted over the phone with a member of the research team. The interview will take about 45 to 60 minutes, you will be compensated with a $25 Amazon eGift card, and you will be entered into a drawing for one of two additional $125 Amazon eGift cards.      

If you are interested in participating in this study, or if you have questions, please send an email to Speech.Messages@outlook.com and indicate that you would like to schedule a time to be interviewed.