Duckworth, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve State Department Accessibility Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced new bipartisan legislation to ensure all of the U.S. Department of State’s foreign Embassies, Consulates and Chief of Mission Residences meet federal accessibility guidelines. The bipartisan Inspector General Accessibility Reporting Act would create a regular opportunity for oversight and improve visibility into structural barriers that limit accessibility by adding to regularly scheduled inspections, helping the U.S. government better identify and address these issues.

“Foreign service offices are an extension of America abroad—we should be upholding our country’s accessibility standards consistently across our embassies and consulates,” Duckworth said. “As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee I’ve seen firsthand how inaccessible many of these spaces are, but this legislation is a commonsense fix to ensure we’re upholding and providing people with disabilities equitable access and opportunity.”

Duckworth’s bipartisan Inspector General Accessibility Reporting Act would expand the State Department Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) regular inspections to include accessibility. As required by the Foreign Service Act, the OIG already inspects Foreign Service posts to review their operations and ensure they follow applicable laws and regulations, including those related to personnel. This bill would add a new requirement to evaluate how well each post, bureau or office meets accessibility standards, including building and facility requirements under the Architectural Barriers Act.

A copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

Duckworth has long been a leader in promoting safe, reliable and accessible infrastructure for all Americans working around the world. Earlier this month, she joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) along with U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02) and Dina Titus (D-NV-01) to introduce the State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act, bicameral legislation that would strengthen international disability rights and provide accommodations for State Department staff.

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