The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest health care provider in the country, and it serves millions of veterans each year. However, many catastrophically disabled veterans experience disability-related barriers when it comes to accessing the care and the benefits they have earned. The VA must ensure the accessibility of all VA services and benefits, including infrastructure and electronic resources and information. Additionally, the VA must ensure care a veteran needs to receive in the community meets accessibility standards.
The Veterans Accessibility Act (H.R 7342/ S. 2516) aims to address disability access concerns across the VA. This bill would authorize an Advisory Committee to focus on improving the accessibility of VA's infrastructure, websites, and benefits and services. The committee will also review accessibility barriers to care in the community. Lastly, the bill requires the committee to review the acquisition process to ensure it results in VA having products, services, and equipment that meet accessibility requirements.
PVA Position:
Congress should pass the Veterans Accessibility Act (H.R. 7342/ S. 2516) to address disability access barriers that hinder veterans from receiving the VA care and services they have earned and deserve.