Policy Matters

Public Policy and Accessible Workplace Technology

Policy Matters: ICT Laws and Regulations2022-03-24T16:12:12+00:00

The regulatory landscape influencing accessible information and communications technology (ICT) is ever evolving. Policy Matters provides policy analysis and news regarding laws and regulations, court decisions, and government resources related to the accessibility of technology used in all aspects of employment.

Featured Resources

Woman using text-to-speech function on mobile phone

How is the Department of Justice (DOJ) Addressing Website and ICT Accessibility?

Explore 175 settlements addressing how the ADA applies to digital accessibility. Through these agreements, employers and other covered entities can understand DOJ priorities and how to proactively comply with existing rules and guidance.

two men at a computer

Universal Access to the Gig Economy for People with Disabilities 

Bobby Silverstein of Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville examines the implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act for freelancers using digital platforms to find and perform work.

Man and woman working at a computer

ICT Accessibility and the Law

Learn the federal laws that affect accessible information and communication technology in the workplace.

What’s New

Long COVID-19 and Workplace Accessibility

Employees with long COVID may be protected under the laws and regulations that govern disability in the workplace. The resources listed below detail the classifications behind disability status and long COVID. They also contain guidance for employers and employees who may be new to the accommodations process. […]

Telework Accessibility and the Law

This resource covers United States policies that apply to telework accessibility. In short, U.S. policies require most private and public employers who offer telework to ensure their telework tools are accessible. […]

DOJ Settlements and Website Accessibility

As of February 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into 175 settlement agreements addressing how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to ICT accessibility. Through these agreements, employers and other covered entities can understand DOJ priorities related to website and ICT accessibility and how to proactively comply with existing rules and guidance.

Podcast: How the Freelance Economy Changes Universal Access for Employers

Future of Work Podcast, Episode 3. Bobby Silverstein, principal at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville, PC, discusses the implications of laws related to accessible technology, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for a gig or project-based workforce. This podcast is developed in partnership with Workology.com as part of PEAT’s Future of Work series, which works to start conversations around how emerging workplace technology trends are impacting people with disabilities.​ […]

Bobby Silverstein Explains the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

In this short video, Bobby Silverstein provides an overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Transcript:  Hi, my name is Bobby Silverstein. I'm the former Staff Director and Chief Counsel to the Senate sub-committee on disability when it was chaired by Senator Tom Harkin. During my tenure in the Senate, I had the incredible privilege of serving as a behind the scenes architect of the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act and as you know in 2014 congress repealed WIA and replaced it with the [...]

American Job Centers and Digital Access: A Guide to Accessible ICT

About This Guide On July 22, 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law (Public Law No. 113-128 (link is external)). The Act—which supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973—reaffirms the role of the customer-focused one-stop service delivery system. It enhances coordination among several key employment, education, and training programs. Within WIOA is a provision stating that all comprehensive American Job Centers (AJCs) and affiliated sites1 must be physically and programmatically accessible to individuals with disabilities. [...]

Model Procurement Language for ICT

Employers and other entities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title V of the Rehabilitation Act can add the following procurement language to contracts with product vendors to enhance the accessibility of purchased or licensed products. […]