Speak Up: 504 and ADA Rulemaking Open Now

Numerous 504 and ADA new rules are currently waiting for finalization at the Department of Justice. These are important rule changes that could improve access to health care, education, websites, and apps.

American Progress and Unlock Access have joined together to submit public comment. If you would like to support their comments, please visit their petition.

Questions can be emailed to mivesrublee@americanprogress.org or knackstedt@unlockaccess.org.

The letter, addressed to the USDOJ Civil Rights Division and the Domestic Policy Council, reads:

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"Thank you for the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s commitment to and critical work protecting and advancing the rights of people with disabilities. Today, we write with great urgency regarding three critical regulations impacting disabled people in the United States:

● The Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed rule to strengthen web and mobile app access (known as the web access rule);

● The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule to strengthen prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of disability in health care and human services programs (known as the HHS 504 rule); and

● The Department of Education (ED) anticipated rule regarding discrimination against children with disabilities in educational settings (known as the ED 504 rule).

These three regulations are specifically named due to their sweeping jurisdiction and importance. Even though some of the regulations originate from a different agency, we recognize the essential nature of DOJ’s review and the power of DOJ’s influence moving these regulations to finalization.

The disability community has increased by ten percent since 2020, thus making it vital for the government to continue to help the United States move toward achieving the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While we understand there are many other regulations in various stages that require your attention before the conclusion of President Biden’s first term, these three regulations will bring a powerful disability rights legacy for this Administration. Now

is the time to strengthen regulatory protections under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

We recognize the difficult deadlines and pressures agencies are under with the uncertainty of this year. We appreciate the DOJ hosting conversations with the community and also putting out the proposed rule to improve medical care for people with disabilities. We ask for the DOJ to use the same care in getting these other essential regulations across the finish line swiftly.

We are here to support the regulatory process. Please reach out Mia Ives-Rublee at the Center for American Progress (mivesrublee@americanprogress.org) or Kimberly Knackstedt at Unlock Access (Knackstedt@unlockaccess.org) if we can answer any questions.

Thank you for your collaboration and consideration."

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