U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bill last week that would help blind and visually impaired Americans afford expensive adaptive technologies through a new refundable tax credit.
“Unfortunately, tools that Hoosiers who are blind need to succeed in the classroom and workplace are often a burdensome out-of-pocket expense,” said Sen. Young.
The legislation would improve access to adapted computers, text-to-speech screen access software, and electronic Braille displays that blind citizens use to access computers, smartphones, and digital content.
“Our bill would help the visually impaired more easily afford these important access technologies,” Sen. Young said.
Sen. Young introduced the bipartisan Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023, S. 1467, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) on May 4. The text of the bill states it would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind.
“Technology can be life-changing, but only if you can afford it,” said Sen. Cardin. “We need to do a better job making access technology affordable so that blind and seeing-impaired individuals can participate fully in our communities.”
The National Federation of the Blind supports the legislation.