H.R. 3416: Accessibility Constituent Communication Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Accessibility Constituent Communication Act of 2025, aims to enhance communication access for individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired by mandating that federal agencies provide communications in alternative formats. Here are the main points of what the bill entails:

Purpose

The main goal of the bill is to ensure that any internal or public-facing documents or communications from federal agencies are made accessible to Blind or Visually Impaired individuals. This is intended to promote inclusivity and ensure that important information is available to all citizens, regardless of their visual ability.

Requirements for Agencies

Under this bill, each federal agency, including its employees and contractors, must:

• Offer communications in the following alternative accessible formats:
• Tactile Braille: A system of reading and writing used by people who are Blind.
• Reflow Large Print: Written materials formatted in large print for better visual accessibility.
• Accessible Audio: Audio versions of documents that can be listened to, which may include text-to-speech formats.
• Equivalent Accessible Digital Data Format: Such formats may include Accessible or Tagged PDF, which allows for screen readers to interpret the text.

Distribution Methods

Any communication provided in these alternative formats must also be distributed either through:

• United States Mail, or
• Secure electronic delivery systems.

This distribution must be coordinated in a timely manner with the standard communication formats (e.g., regular print documents).

Liability Protection

The bill also includes a provision that protects agencies from being held liable for violations concerning the distribution of communications as long as they comply with the requirements of providing accessible formats for Blind or Visually Impaired recipients.

Definitions

In the context of this bill:

• Agency: Refers to any public entity that provides federal benefits or assistance, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes agencies related to retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, education, food assistance, and unemployment benefits.
• Communication: Encompasses any publicly available information and materials distributed by these agencies.

Summary

The Accessibility Constituent Communication Act of 2025 sets forth requirements for federal agencies to provide communications in accessible formats to better serve Blind or Visually Impaired individuals. It outlines the types of formats that must be made available, mandates the methods of distribution, provides liability protections for compliance, and defines the terms used within the act.

Relevant Companies

None found