NEWS
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Blind Vendors in Randolph-Sheppard Program
American Council of the Blind Advocacy Review
July 13 through August 10
The Washington Connection
The Washington Connection provides audio recordings of summaries of timely activity taking place in Washington D.C. and with the federal government.
https://www.acb.org/washington-connection
ACB Advocacy Update
The ACB Advocacy Update is the biweekly podcast put out by the advocacy team. The podcast works to educate listeners about the advocacy work of the national office and activity taking place in Washington, D.C. and with the federal government.
https://acb-advocacy-update.pinecast.co/
Speak4 Campaigns
Speak4 is a platform that enables users to easily contact their Congress members about timely issues and pending legislation. When a person visits the Speak4 link, they will read about the issue. They then have the opportunity to enter their contact information, which will, in turn, enable them to send a prewritten message to their Congress member on the issue or bill.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act
https://speak4.app/lp/5p01rspz?ts=1786387055
Support the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act
https://speak4.app/lp/58012s4t?ts=1782763617
Support the Cogswell-Macy Act
https://speak4.app/lp/lc019s7h?ts=1781543819
Oppose the ACCESS Act
https://speak4.app/lp/rt01psna?ts=1777908806
Communications, Video, and Technology Act
https://speak4.app/lp/02016sf9?ts=1776869242
Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act
https://speak4.app/lp/az01hshx?ts=1775585206
Oppose the ADA 30 Days to Comply Act
https://speak4.app/lp/8c011so6?ts=1775585258
We Can’t Wait Act of 2026
https://speak4.app/lp/fn01vsao?ts=1774629928
CONNECT to Health Act
https://speak4.app/lp/zc013snt?ts=1773751946
Blind Americans Return to Work Act
https://speak4.app/lp/5t01cset?ts=1773751896
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act
https://speak4.app/lp/hn012s8s?ts=1773751246
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
https://speak4.app/lp/0801fs6x?ts=1773752062
Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act
https://speak4.app/lp/h7015nuz?ts=1773752101
EDVI and See the Board:
https://speak4.app/lp/sm01zs8u?ts=1773752220
Disaster Relief Medicaid Act
https://speak4.app/lp/ju011nuo?ts=1773752472
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act
A federal judge for the US District Court of Maryland has granted summary judgement to the blind entrepreneurs in the suit of Melba Taylor, et al., v. US Department of Education, which challenged the Department of Education's decision in late 2025 to limit the Randolph-Sheppard program in Army dining facilities. The Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility program enhances employment opportunities for people who are blind by giving blind vendors priority consideration in the operation of vending facilities on federal property.
In the judge's ruling, he found that Secretary McMahon violated the Administrative Procedures Act by not allowing public notice-and-comment process to take place or publishing supporting documentation before taking the action which negatively impacted blind vendors.The full ruling can be found at the following link: https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/priority-contracting-for-blind-vendors.pdf
Olmstead Decision
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice issued a memo and federal notice declaring long-standing enforcement guidance tied to the landmark Olmstead decision "not enforceable," arguing that federal disability laws do not explicitly mandate community-based integration. While this shift does not overturn the Supreme Court ruling itself, it alters federal enforcement priorities. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Core Changes and Actions
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Office of Legal Counsel Memo: Issued a narrow interpretation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, stating they do not strictly require states to provide care in the most integrated settings. [1, 2]
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Federal Register Notice: Formally stated that decades-old federal guidance regarding the Olmstead integration mandate will no longer be relied upon or enforced by the Department of Justice. [1, 2]
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Policy Alignment: Follows executive actions targeting homelessness, substance use, and severe mental illness through increased reliance on long-term institutional settings rather than community-based care. [1, 2]
Legal and Community Impact
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Precedent Stands: The actions do not overturn the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead v. L.C. decision, meaning private lawsuits and existing court precedents protecting disabled individuals still technically stand. [1, 2]
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Enforcement Vacuum: The federal government has stepped back from using its authority to challenge state institutionalization practices or defend community-placement consent decrees. [1, 2, 3, 4]
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Advocate Concerns: Disability rights organizations warn that the shift weakens community living protections and could encourage states to roll back Home and Community-Based Services. [1, 2, 3]
Post Immigration Overview:
Immigration Overview of 504 Rehabilitation Act
A large proportion of immigrants who are interacting with federal immigration agencies have disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, prohibits disability discrimination by federal agencies.
Read more: https://dredf.org/application-of-section-504-to-immigration-2026/