Current Legislation RespectAbility Supports

In support of our 2023-2024 Policy Priorities, RespectAbility supports the following bills.

Immediately freezes the issuance of any new 14(c) (subminimum wage) certificates by the U.S. Department of Labor and phases out the use of existing 14(c) certificates over five years until employees are paid at least the federal minimum wage.
Creates a state grant program to help states transition the business models of 14(c) certificate holders to support competitive integrated employment.
Creates a grant program for current 14(c) certificate holders located in states that do not apply for the state grants to transition their business models to support individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment.
Establishes a national technical assistance center to support all entities, including those not receiving transformation grants, to transition to competitive integrated. These TA centers will disseminate information about best practices, lessons learned, and models for transition to all entities transitioning to competitive integrated employment.
Requires reporting and evaluation on progress of creating and expanding the service delivery structure to support workers with disabilities.

Creates an Office of Accessibility at the U.S. Election Assistance Committee, which would support and oversee state efforts to expand voter accessibility and serve as a resource for advocates and voters.
Creates a National Resource Center on Accessible Voting that would provide cultural competency training to election officials and poll workers on how to create accessible polling places.
Requires states to create accessible websites with information on how to register to vote and cast a ballot, the ability to register to vote via accessible website, take steps to address adversely long lines at polling places, and establish mobile polling sites.
Authorizes funding for states to implement accessibility upgrades at polling places and for research and development of accessible and secure voting equipment.
Protects individuals subject to guardianship by ensuring that their right to vote is not arbitrarily removed.

Increases the asset limit for individuals from $2,000 to $10,000.
Increases the asset limit for couples from $3,000 to $20,000 for couples.
Requires asset limits to be adjusted yearly using an average Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate.

Requires audio description on almost all television programming.
Requires audio description on video programming delivered via Internet Protocol posted by large content creators.
Requires online video platforms to provide easy-to-use audio description authoring tools for content creators.
Improves the quality of audio description
Expands the availability of closed captioning video programming on television and online
Makes closed captioning and audio description settings easier to find and use
Requires video conferencing services to be compatible with assistive technologies, third-party captioning and interpreting services, and telecommunications relay services.
Requires access to emergency services via real time text, direct video calling, or telecommunications relay services.
Expands access to the National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program and doubles the program’s authorization to $20 million.

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