The federal government has an abundance of programs intended to aid individuals affected by disabilities. But some of the largest federal agencies still stubbornly resist commonly used tools for helping deserving people access those services.

One of the oldest and most respected organizations in the country, the National Federation of the Blind, along with several individuals, recently filed a lawsuit against the Social Security Administration, claiming the agency’s refusal to accept electronic signatures on important disability program forms jeopardizes individual health and safety in this time of COVID-19. The plaintiffs also asked the court for a preliminary injunction.