Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) Friday announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Veterans Accessibility Act, aiming to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fully complies with federal disability laws and improves access to its services and facilities for all veterans, particularly those with disabilities.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a 15-member Advisory Committee on Equal Access within the VA. This committee, composed of veterans with disabilities, accessibility experts, VA employees, representatives from veterans service organizations, and disability advocacy groups, would be tasked with evaluating the VA’s adherence to federal disability laws.
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It will identify barriers and provide recommendations to enhance accessibility across all VA platforms, including physical facilities, online resources, benefits programs, and information services.
Joining Senator Scott in leading this Senate effort are Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal. Congressman David Valadao is spearheading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“It is unthinkable that federal programs intended to support our veterans would be inaccessible to so many who live with disabilities and rely on these essential services,” Senator Scott stated. “Our veterans are American heroes… they deserve a federal government who shows up for them and a VA that stands ready to support them.”
The bill takes a proactive approach to identifying and removing obstacles faced by veterans.
“All veterans—regardless of ability—deserve access to VA services, facilities, and benefits,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The bipartisan Veterans Accessibility Act is a critical step toward ensuring that the VA can effectively identify and eliminate barriers that prevent veterans from accessing the care and services they’ve earned.”
Senator Moran highlighted challenges, particularly in rural areas like his home state of Kansas, stating the legislation would establish a committee “dedicated to increasing accessibility for veterans with disabilities by improving access to VA facilities, services and information.”
Senator Blumenthal added, “This bill will help eliminate barriers to accessibility for disabled veterans— a cause ever more important as demand for VA services increase… This Advisory Committee will help fulfill our promises to our nation’s heroes.”
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The proposed Advisory Committee would:
- Consist of 15 voting members representing key stakeholder groups.
- Regularly advise the VA Secretary on improving accessibility.
- Review VA compliance with disability accessibility laws and offer recommendations.
- Produce biennial reports detailing access barriers and progress made.
The legislation has garnered strong support from numerous advocacy organizations, including Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), National Association of the Deaf, National Disability Rights Network, United Spinal Association/VetsFirst, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
Heather Ansley of PVA noted, “Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders regularly encounter physical access barriers… The Veterans Accessibility Act will help the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and address such access barriers.”
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Dr. Vernon Humphrey of BVA commended Senator Scott’s leadership, stating the committee is needed to address historical non-compliance issues that have negatively impacted blind and low-vision veterans.
Jose Ramos of WWP added, “The Veterans Accessibility Act… would provide veterans with a formal voice to help guide efforts to make receiving VA care and benefits as easy and accessible as possible.”
The reintroduction of the Veterans Accessibility Act marks a continued bipartisan commitment to ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs meets the needs of all veterans who have served the nation.
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