Boozman supports blind-gear tax bill
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., this month introduced the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021, which would authorize tax credits for certain purchasers of equipment benefiting the blind.
According to a summary of the bill, the legislation “would allow for more widespread access to adapted computers, text-to-speech screen access software and electronic Braille displays used to access computers, tablets, smart phones and digital content.”
Boozman has sponsored versions of the legislation in previous sessions of Congress.
“As an optometrist, I understand how vital access technology is to enable blind Americans to engage in their communities,” the lawmaker from Rogers said. “This bill is key to providing low-cost resources to help visually impaired individuals secure employment and realize their full potential.”
The measure has the support of the National Federation of the Blind.
Nena Chadwick, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas, said her organization “greatly appreciates” Boozman’s leadership on the issue.
“Because he is working closely with the blind community, blind and low vision Arkansans will have greater opportunities for success in education, employment, and living the lives we want through the passage of the Accessible Technology Affordability Act,” she said in a written statement.
The credit would be available to a taxpayer “for qualified access technology for use by a qualified blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or any dependent.”
It would apply to equipment that is not covered by insurance.
The aggregate amount of the credit “shall not exceed $2,000 in any 3-consecutive-taxable-year period.”
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