CUNA-requested language requesting the Department of Justice clarify website accessibility standards for the Americans with Disabilities Act was successfully added to a House appropriations bill Friday. Credit unions around the country are facing numerous legal challenges due to uncertainty with how the ADA applies to websites, and CUNA has made finding a solution a top advocacy priority.
Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas), chair of the House Appropriations commerce, justice and science (CJS) subcommittee, submitted the amendment to the FY19 House CJS bill full committee markup Thursday.
The amendment inserts the following paragraph into the bill:
“Website Accessibility. – The Committee expects the Department to clarify standards for website accessibility requirements pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act in fiscal year 2019. The Committee recognizes the confusion caused by a lack of uniform website accessibility standards. The lack of clear requirements disadvantages small businesses that provide essential services for our communities.”
CUNA has engaged with Congress and the DOJ to find a solution for credit unions facing these lawsuits, and offers a number of compliance resources for credit unions as well.
In addition, CUNA has joined with states leagues around the country to file briefs in defense of credit unions hit with ADA website lawsuits, several of which have been dismissed.
http://news.cuna.org/articles/114219-cuna-requested-ada-language-added-to-house-approps-bill