Following the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the world increasingly became more digital in nature. This also included state and local governments, which are required to make their communications with disabled residents accessible. In the years since, the courts have agreed that this accessibility requirement extends to websites and digital information.
Beginning in 2010, the Department of Justice announced that it was planning to promulgate digital accessibility regulations for state and local government websites when it published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. Over the course of the next fourteen years, this regulation was thoroughly researched, updated, commented on by the public, and debated, until ultimately in 2024 the final rule was released.
Now, just days before the rule was supposed to go into effect, the Department of Justice published an interim final rule that delays that implementation for one year. We submitted our official response voicing our frustration and disappointment with the delay, and we are urging you to do the same.
We are hoping that if we flood the Department of Justice with comments arguing against the delay, as well as any further modification to the ADA Title II website rule, they will fully understand how important this is to us. So please, submit a comment and let them know just how critical digital access to state and local government websites is for all Americans.
Some particular stories you could mention include difficulty with paying state or local taxes online, paying a state regulated utility bill online, or inaccessible election websites. You shouldn’t necessarily mention the actions you took to solve the problem, just the problem itself. When you have your story, we urge you to submit your comments.
If you would like help in submitting your comments, please contact Justin Young at [email protected], or by phone at 410-659-9314, extension 2210.
About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org.
Government Affairs Contact
Justin Young
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
[email protected]