Biden Administration Aims to Improve Government Network Accessibility for the Disabled

The Biden administration unveils plans to improve access to state and local government websites and app-based services for individuals with disabilities.

Credit : Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The proposed Justice Department rule aims to establish accessibility standards, including text descriptions for visually impaired users and captioning for government videos. President Biden's push for greater inclusivity coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In a move towards greater inclusivity, the Biden administration has introduced a new regulation aimed at enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities using state and local government websites and apps. The proposed rule, set forth by the Justice Department, aims to set specific standards for these digital services. Among the potential requirements are text descriptions for visually impaired users and captioning for government videos.

Highlighting the need for improved accessibility, the White House points out that current government websites and app-based services have fallen short in catering to the needs of people with disabilities. This initiative aligns with President Joe Biden's vision to ensure that technology benefits all Americans, including the 25 percent of the population living with disabilities.

The proposed rule signifies a significant step towards making digital infrastructure more accommodating and user-friendly. As the details of the rule are expected to be formally released soon, the timeline for implementation of these stringent accessibility standards will become clearer.

Source : AP News