Government documents

The ADA’s equal-opportunity mandate goes beyond making sure that information provided through electronic means is as readily accessible to people with disabilities as it is to those without disabilities. It also means making sure that software and other information technology deployed by employers to aid in the hiring process or to monitor and rate employee performance does not screen out…

The Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) partnered to publish guidance on the protections in federal nondiscrimination laws requiring that telehealth be accessible to people with disabilities and limited English proficient persons. Protections for people with disabilities include among other things effective communication. Providers must communicate effectively…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order (Declaratory Ruling, Order, Report and Order, and Order on Reconsideration) restoring Net Neutrality and bringing back a national standard for broadband reliability, security, and consumer protection, effective July 22, 2024. For People with Disabilities, the Order will: Better safeguard access to IP-based telecommunications relay…

On June 12, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order in response to reports that video conferencing services lack—or have inferior—captioning; ineffective display of sign language interpreters; inability of blind or low vision users to find and use volume controls; and insufficient user control of accessibility tools. Further, there is no easy way to use…

In the last couple of months, we've seen a number of "Dear Colleague" letters regarding accessibility announced by various US administrative agencies, like the Department of Justice and the Department of Education, either individually or jointly. The most recent "Dear Colleague" letter ( attached below ) was issued jointly by the Justice Department and the Department of Education on May 19, 2023,…

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act to the Senate in August 2017.

The FDA Rule Establishing Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids will take effect in October 2022.

President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy on July 9, 2021. This sweeping Executive Order includes 72 initiatives. It specifically calls out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider issuing proposed rules within 120 days for allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter. While the FDA is well beyond the deadline for…

President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy on July 9, 2021. This sweeping Executive Order includes 72 initiatives. It specifically calls out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider issuing proposed rules within 120 days for allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter. While the FDA is well beyond the deadline for…