WASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of U.S. Senators, led by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address concerns about the department’s non-compliance with federal disability laws. The senators’ action follows a recent report revealing widespread failure by the VA to make its websites fully accessible for people with disabilities.
In a letter sent to the VA, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) joined Casey in urging the agency to take immediate steps to rectify these issues. Their call to action is based on findings from a recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, which revealed that fewer than 12 percent of VA’s public-facing websites and less than 11 percent of its internal sites are fully accessible for people with disabilities.
This issue of accessibility compliance isn’t new; it’s governed by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This federal law mandates that the government’s technology be accessible and usable by people with disabilities. However, the OIG report, requested by Senator Casey, shows that the VA has fallen significantly short of this standard between 2019 and 2022.
Senator Casey has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the accessibility of government websites and other technologies. In a December 2022 report, “Unlocking the Virtual Front Door,” he highlighted how inaccessible federal technology creates barriers for people with disabilities, preventing them from accessing essential services such as VA benefits, health care, employment, and Social Security. The report also issued 12 recommendations, including increased independent oversight of Section 508 compliance.
In 2020, Senator Casey spearheaded the VA Website Accessibility Act, which required the VA to report on the accessibility of its websites and kiosks. The VA’s report to Congress in 2021 confirmed that only 10 percent of its websites were fully accessible. In response, Senator Casey rallied bipartisan support for the VA to improve its services.
The recent VA OIG report corroborates findings from Senator Casey’s report, underscoring the need for concerted action. It also highlights the need for the VA to ensure equal access to its websites and information technology systems for all users.
To further advance accessibility at the VA, Senator Casey introduced the bipartisan Veterans Accessibility Act last year. This bill, which has the backing of 15 veterans service organizations and disability groups, proposes establishing a Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access at the VA. This committee would issue regular reports on the VA’s compliance with federal disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
These reports would include recommendations for improving the VA’s compliance and would be shared with Congress, the public, and agencies overseeing the nation’s disability laws. Importantly, veterans with disabilities would be among the advisory committee’s members, ensuring their voices are heard.
Ensuring equal access to government services is a fundamental right and a critical part of maintaining a fair and inclusive society. As such, the senators’ efforts to hold the VA accountable for its non-compliance with federal disability laws are not just significant but necessary. The potential implications of this push for compliance could lead to improved accessibility and usability of government resources for millions of Americans with disabilities, particularly veterans who have served their country honorably.
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