Small Business Accessibility Roundtable – September 14, 2023

The next U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy Roundtable will meet virtually to discuss the following topic, Justice Department’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Proposed Rule for State and Local Governments beginning at 1 PM ET on September 14, 2023. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is establishing technical standards for state and local governmental entities to make their websites and mobile applications accessible for people with disabilities under Title II of the ADA. However, these rules may impact future rulemakings affecting Title III of the ADA, which affects places of public accommodation.

The meeting will be held using the Microsoft Teams platform. Please free to forward this information to small entities and your small business members.

Send your RSVP to Janis Reyes at Janis.Reyes@sba.gov to receive a meeting link. A final agenda will be circulated prior to the meeting.


DRAFT AGENDA

Introductory Remarks
Janis Reyes, Assistant Chief Counsel, SBA Office of Advocacy
DOJ officials will provide a briefing and overview of this proposed rule. After the briefing, the agency will be in listening mode. Comments expressed during this roundtable do not take the place of submitting written comments to the regulatory docket. Comments on this proposal are due to DOJ on October 3, 2023.
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM

Input from Interested Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act covers small governmental jurisdictions with a population of less than 50,000. This includes cities, counties, towns, townships, villages, school districts, special districts and public community colleges. Advocacy seeks feedback on the current ADA accessibility of small entities’ websites and mobile apps, and the economic impact of this rule on small entities. Advocacy would appreciate any feedback on regulatory alternatives that may minimize the costs of this rule.
1:20 PM – 3:00 PM

Roundtable meetings are open to all interested persons and are intended to facilitate an open and frank discussion about issues of interest to small business. These meetings are off the record and not intended for press purposes. Direct quotations of presenters or attendees may not be used without direct written approval of the person(s) making the statement. All press inquiries should be sent to Chandler Baxter at chandler.baxter@sba.gov. Agendas and presentations are available to all.