The following are additional legislative concerns for Congress:
Fully Autonomous Vehicles Legislation
We support fully autonomous vehicles legislation that will prioritize nonvisual accessibility for blind Americans, who will benefit greatly from this revolutionary technology. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to dramatically improve transportation options for the blind, but only if we are able to access them. This legislation would also include a provision of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in licensing for fully autonomous vehicles (SAE Level 4 and 5).
Access Technology Affordability Act
The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. The Access Technology Affordability Act will improve the affordability of this technology by creating a 2,000 dollar refundable tax credit for use over a three-year period for the purchase of qualified access technology. This bill would remove a significant barrier to employment and independent living for blind Americans while generating approximately 350 million dollars (based on an analysis by Mathematica) in additional annual tax revenue by getting more blind Americans into the workforce.
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act
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. The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act will end this antiquated and discriminatory practice for all Americans with disabilities by transitioning away from the subminimum wage model and eventually sunsetting Section 14(c).
Contact Us
For more information about Autonomous Vehicles Legislation or the Access Technology Affordability Act contact Jesse Shirek at 410-659-9314, extension 2348, or by email at [email protected].
For more information on the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act contact Justin Young at 410-659-9314, extension 2210, or by email at [email protected].