The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans, urges the House to pass the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R. 5605. This bill was just introduced on Friday, September 26, and will require Class II and Class III medical devices (such as glucose monitors, insulin pumps, CPAP machines, etc.) with digital user interfaces to meet a designated nonvisual accessibility standard ensuring that blind Americans are able to safely and independently administer our in-home medical care.
How Members Can Help
Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently and safely operating home-use medical devices that are essential to our daily healthcare needs.
The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act will end unequal access to home-use medical devices for blind Americans by requiring manufacturers of Class II and Class III medical devices to make their products nonvisually accessible.
We are asking that you call or email your Representative and ask them to cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act.
Sample Script
When you call or email you might say:
“My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to support the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R. 5605. This bill will create new nonvisual access standards for Class II and Class III medical devices with digital user interfaces, such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, that manufacturers will be required to meet. Also note that this legislation will only apply to new applications. Please cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R. 5605.”
We suggest a subject like: “Ensure blind Americans can safely and independently monitor their health by cosponsoring H.R. 5605”
As of right now, we have twelve cosponsors in the House:
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] - SPONSOR
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
To find the contact information for your specific representative’s office, please download the spreadsheet. They are organized alphabetically by state. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office in question.
If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your members of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at [email protected].
If you email, please copy Justin Young at [email protected].
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
410-659-9314, extension 2210
[email protected]