US Advocacy Groups Push New Digital Accessibility Legislation

The push for new digital accessibility legislation comes as approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability, and in the U.S., nearly 13% of adults face challenges with concentration, memory, or decision-making. The digital divide remains stark; people with disabilities are three times more likely to be offline, and only 62% feel confident using digital devices compared to 81% of those without disabilities. The Website and Software Applications Accessibility Act (HR 3417) aims to provide a clear, enforceable standard for digital accessibility, an issue that has led to inconsistent court rulings. Introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) with bipartisan support, the bill would require the Department of Justice and the EEOC to establish uniform accessibility standards for websites, apps, and digital documents, aligning with WCAG 2.2. The Medical Devices Nonvisual Accessibility Act addresses the increasing use of inaccessible digital interfaces on home-use medical equipment like glucose monitors and blood pressure readers. Reintroduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) in September 2025, the bill would mandate the FDA to create nonvisual accessibility standards for Class II and Class III medical devices, which pose a higher risk to users if operated incorrectly. The Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVTA) seeks to update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 to keep pace with modern technology. The legislation would expand requirements for closed captioning and audio descriptions on streaming platforms and make video conferencing services more accessible, empowering the FCC to regulate emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality. Advocacy groups are targeting the House Education and the Workforce Committee, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), and the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). These committees have jurisdiction over issues of education, labor, and the administration of justice, making them critical venues for advancing disability rights legislation. This legislative push coincides with the Department of Justice's updated Title II regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Public entities, including colleges and universities serving 50,000 or more people, face an April 24, 2026, deadline to make their websites and mobile apps compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.