news.cuna.org/articles/114417-dear-colleague-letter-seeks-to-clarify-ada-ambiguities

Dear colleague letter seeks to clarify ADA ambiguitiesĀ 

June 21, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

CONTACT: Lauren Williams – CUNA Communications; (202) 626-7642; lwilliams@cuna.coop

Washington, D.C. (June 21, 2018) – Over one hundred members of the House signed onto a letter submitted Wednesday to Attorney General Jeff Sessions to seek guidance and clarity on how to best comply with website standards for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). America's credit unions continue to be targets of predatory litigation alleging ADA violations, specifically as it applies to websites. Credit Union National Association (CUNA) supported the letter and has made finding a solution a top advocacy priority. 

"It is important for Congress to act to provide greater clarity through the legislative process," the letter reads. "However, in the meantime, it is also unfair and disruptive to subject businesses to litigation risk caused by insufficiently specific statutory language or even basic direction on compliance from the department. We respectfully urge you to help resolve this situation as soon as possible." 

Congressman Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-C.A.) circulated the Dear Colleague letter requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) give the private sector guidance on the issue of website accessibility.   

CUNA has met frequently with the DOJ to discuss meritless claims alleged through these predatory lawsuits; which have increased 14 times in the last two years. Because of the organization's advocacy efforts, language was added to a House appropriations bill that would call for the DOJ to clarify website accessibility standards.  

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About CUNA     
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org.