Laws and Legislation
Washington Seminar
The Washington Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind that introduces the agenda and priorities of blind Americans that require congressional attention over the coming year. The issues are selected from official positions of the Federation and may address concerns in the following areas: relevant civil rights issues; educational programs and services; rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment; the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property; specialized library services for the blind; the organization and funding of federal programs; Social Security and Supplemental Income programs; and other timely topics. Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority attention during the Washington Seminar. The event typically takes place in January.
Federal Legislation
- Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act (H.R. 1772) (S. 2138)
- Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1734) (S. 732)
- Appropriation to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) for the Purchase of Refreshable Braille Devices
- The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled
- Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act (TIME Act) (H.R. 1377)
- Equal Access to Air Travel for Service-Disabled Veterans
Model State Legislation
- Model Accessible State Voting Bill
- Model State Braille Literacy Bill
- Model Parental Rights Bill
- Model State Randolph-Sheppard Law
- Model White Cane Law
Federal Regulations
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - Final Rules
- Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act - Final Rules
- DOJ’s Document explaining the agency’s decision to push back the release of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the ADA accessibility guidelines to cover websites
- Department of Education’s Dear Colleague letter regarding instruction in Braille under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Federal Program Announcements
- Information on SSA's Benefit Offset National Demonstration (BOND) Pilot Program
- Information on Substantial Gainful Activity
NFB Comments and Sign Ons
- Letter Criticizing Changes to 14(c) Certificate Application Process (December 10, 2018)
- NFB response to DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012 (December 10, 2018)
- Letter supporting the Updated AV START Act (December 4, 2018)
- Letter opposing Section 437 of FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018
- NFB comments regarding the Tentative Findings for the 2018 Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) Biennial Report
- Letter from President Riccobono to Tina Ballard, AbilityOne Executive Director, regarding appointment of third central nonprofit
- NFB comments regarding a letter sent by 103 members of the House of Representatives to Attorney General Sessions about Title III accomodations
- NFB and the Diabetes Action Network follow up request to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- NFB and the Diabetes Action Network request meeting with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding continuous glucose monitors
- NFB comments regarding accessible video games
- National Council of State Agencies for the Blind comments on elimination of federal funding for public vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
- NFB comments regarding regulations for increased described television programming
- NFB comments regarding the evaluation of existing regulations by the Department of Education
- NFB comments with the Association of People
- Supporting Employment First (APSE) and the Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD) in support of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- NFB Supports the Definition of "Competitive Integrated Employment" in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- NFB comments with the National Disability Rights Network and American Civil Liberties Union regarding prisoners with disabilities
- Updated Opposition to H.R. 620
- NFB comments on broadband medical technology
- NFB Opposes Privatization of Interstate Rest Areas
- NFB Opposes H.R. 620
- NFB comments on regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- NFB comments with the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities regarding HR 620
- NFB comments in support of Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
- NFB v PARCC Settlement Agreement
- NFB comments regarding the issue of nondiscrimination against passengers with disabilities in air travel (80 FR 75953)
- NFB comments regarding SSDI earnings cliff
- NFB comments regarding Guidance Under Section 529A: Qualified ABLE Programs (IRS REG-102837-15)
Resources
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- ADA Publications and Resources
- Copyright Exemption Amendments
- Free Matter Mailing Regulations
- IDEA Reauthorization, 2004
- IDEA Regulations
- States with Braille Literacy Laws
- The Randolph-Sheppard Act
- The Randolph-Sheppard Regulations
- The Rehabilitation Act
- Vocational Rehabilitation Regulations
- Separate Agencies for the Blind