Legislative Priorities

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives we want. Below are the fact sheets for our various legislative priorities.

Fact Sheets

Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467)

The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. The Access Technology Affordability Act will improve affordability of critically needed access technology necessary for employment and independent living.

Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 8878)

Current Social Security law contains policies that have the unintended consequence of discouraging blind Americans from maximizing their earnings potential. The Blind Americans Return to Work Act will eliminate the Social Security Disability Insurance earnings cliff and make other reforms to create true work incentives for blind Americans.

Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328/S. 3621)

Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently and safely operating home-use medical devices that are essential to their daily healthcare needs. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act will end unequal access to home-use medical devices for blind Americans.

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act  (H.R. 1263/S. 533)

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 permits employers to pay people with disabilities at a rate less than the federal minimum wage and, in many cases, separated from their coworkers without disabilities. The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act will end this antiquated and discriminatory practice for all Americans with disabilities.

Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (H.R. 5813/S. 2984)

Websites are required by law to be accessible, but without implementing regulations most businesses and retailers have little understanding of what accessible means. The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act will end website and mobile application inaccessibility for blind Americans.

These priorities will remove obstacles to economic opportunity, medical devices, websites, and civil rights. We urge Congress to support our legislative initiatives.