Comment on FR Doc # 2026-07663
North Central Independent Living Services , Inc.OpposeAdvocacy
Summary: Charlotte Patera, a policy coordinator for North Central Independent Living Services and a resident with disabilities, opposes the proposed extension of compliance dates. She argues that state and local governments have already had sufficient time to comply and that inaccessible web information directly hinders the participation of citizens with disabilities.
My is Charlotte Patera. I am the policy coordinator for North Central independent living services in Blackeagle, Montana. I am also a Montana resident with with disabilities of glaucoma and cerebral palsy. I urge the department of justice to reconsider. This proposed rule that extends comments and compliance dates for the title to accessibility of web information and service services to states and local governments as a person who advocates for accessibility in North Central Montana I can truly tell you that web accessibility is important not only for gathering and dissemination of information for people with disabilities, but also our state and local governments government I can agree that many counties and state governments as well as local governments need assistance in complying with this rule, but they have had time to do so As a person with several disabilities
who relies on web access to to be employed, gather information and much more, I can tell you that if information is not in an accessible format, it does decrease participation of citizens andMontanans with disabilities. Throughout the federal government, DOJ should be working with state and local governments and private entities to get resources to them regarding physical, mobility ,and sensory accessibility. It is long past time in the ADA world to update standards and ensure compliance in all aspects regarding the Americans With Disabilities Act, I know my opinion will not be popular with those in the Civil Rights
Division of the Department of Justice during the Trump Administration . Anyone can become disabled at any time. Technology is an American strength as well as Innovation and it should be accessible and available to everyone, including Americans with Disabilities . Thank you for your time.