WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Rick Scott announced the bipartisan reintroduction of the Veterans Accessibility Act to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in full compliance with federal disability laws and provides guidance on ways to make programs and facilities more accessible for veterans and people with disabilities. This bill would establish a 15-person Advisory Committee on Equal Access, which would consist of veterans with disabilities, disability experts, and representatives of advocacy organizations. The Committee would be responsible for evaluating and reporting on the VA’s compliance with federal disability laws and would issue recommendations for how the VA can improve its accessibility across all facilities and platforms.

Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, join Senator Scott to lead this effort in the Senate, while Congressman David Valadao is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Organizations endorsing the legislation include: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Association of the Deaf, National Disability Rights Network, United Spinal Association/VetsFirst, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Senator Rick Scott said, “It is unthinkable that federal programs intended to support our veterans would be inaccessible to so many who live with disabilities and rely on these essential services. Our veterans are American heroes who showed up to serve our nation, and they deserve a federal government who shows up for them and a VA that stands ready to support them. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this vital bipartisan legislation to ensure the VA is fully prepared to meet the needs of every veteran, who have made countless sacrifices to defend and protect the freedoms of our nation.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “All veterans—regardless of ability—deserve access to VA services, facilities, and benefits. The bipartisan Veterans Accessibility Act is a critical step toward ensuring that the VA can effectively identify and eliminate barriers that prevent veterans from accessing the care and services they’ve earned. As ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation alongside Senators Scott, Blumenthal, and Moran, and I am committed to fighting for its passage.”

Senator Jerry Moran said, “In Kansas, and particularly in rural areas, veterans with disabilities face challenges accessing the facilities and services provided by the VA. This legislation would establish an advisory committee within the VA dedicated to increasing accessibility for veterans with disabilities by improving access to VA facilities, services and information and making certain the VA complies with federal accessibility laws.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “This bill will help eliminate barriers to accessibility for disabled veterans— a cause ever more important as demand for VA services increase. Every veteran deserves ready access to facilities, staff, websites, and workspaces that provide services they’ve earned. This Advisory Committee will help fulfill our promises to our nation’s heroes.”

Heather Ansley, Paralyzed Veterans of America, said “Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders regularly encounter physical access barriers as they navigate their communities and engage with needed health care and services. The Veterans Accessibility Act will help the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and address such access barriers in its facilities and online. We appreciate the reintroduction of this important legislation by Senators Scott, Gillibrand, Moran, and Blumenthal, and their commitment to access at VA for veterans with the greatest support needs.” 

Dr. Vernon Humphrey, Blinded Veterans Association, said “BVA has long advocated for the creation of a Federal Advisory Committee to oversee and advise the Department of Veterans Affairs on accessibility laws for which the Department has been largely non-compliant over the years, causing blind and low vision veterans monetary harm and adding still another detriment to their care. Our Association commends Senator Scott for his leadership and perseverance to remedy this injustice by introducing and championing the Veterans Accessibility Act of 2025.”

Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project, said, “A large majority of the post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans that Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves rely on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for both health care and disability benefits. These veterans interact with the system the most and have detailed and personal knowledge of accessibility challenges at VA facilities and online. The Veterans Accessibility Act of 2025 would provide veterans with a formal voice to help guide efforts to make receiving VA care and benefits as easy and accessible as possible.  We are grateful for Senator Rick Scott's leadership on this important legislation and look forward to working with Congress to get it passed.

The Veterans Accessibility Act would:

• Consist of 15 total voting members, representing veterans, accessibility experts, VA employees, and veterans service organizations;
• Regularly advise the VA on improving accessibility across information, services, benefits, and facilities;
• Review and provide recommendations on compliance with disability accessibility law; and
• Produce biennial reports on access barriers and progress in making services more accessible.

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