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 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.
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, allows them to be 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 by transitioning away from the subminimum wage model and eventually sunsetting Section 14(c).
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (H.R. 4858/S. 2494)
The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act ensures individuals with disabilities have equal access to mainstream communication platforms and the technology services needed to participate in professional, educational, recreational, and civic spaces. The bill will improve and expand closed captioning and audio description standards for television programming and online streaming platforms, update requirements to ensure viewers can easily select and activate preferred settings for closed captioning and audio description, improve access to video conferencing platforms for people with disabilities, and ensure people with disabilities have equal access to 9-1-1 services.
Fully Autonomous Vehicles Legislation
We support fully autonomous vehicles legislation that will prioritize nonvisual accessibility for blind Americans, who are in a position to benefit most 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).
We Can’t Wait Act (S. 3400)
Each year nearly two million people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, many of whom will never work again. However, the current SSDI system has a five-month waiting period following the onset of the disability. Many Americans, hardworking taxpayers who have earned these benefits, have died while waiting for this disability insurance. Others have watched as the credit score they have worked so hard to maintain is significantly reduced. The We Can’t Wait Act will provide an option to receive these benefits immediately at a reduced rate.
Contact Us
For more information on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467) or the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (H.R. 4858/S. 2494), contact Jeff Kaloc at 410-659-9314, extension 2206, or by email at [email protected].
For more information on the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 1263/S. 533), contact Justin Young at 410-659-9314, extension 2210, or by email at [email protected].
For more information about Autonomous Vehicles Legislation or the We Can’t Wait Act (S. 3400), contact Jesse Shirek at 410-659-9314, extension 2348, or by email at [email protected].