Representative Cates in the Albuquerque Journal, Opinion section, July 25, 2026
We live in a time when nearly everything requires an app or an
account on a website. But what would you do if you simply couldn’t
access the resource you needed? Imagine you log in to a state-run
website to update your healthcare information, but the website isn’t
compatible with the accessibility features you use. Or you need to
access an appointment on the second floor of a building but the
elevator is out of service and stairs are the only option.
When you come across an accessibility issue like this, who do you
report it to? The Commission on Disability, the Attorney General’s
Office or another agency? All of these are appropriate places to
report accessibility issues but the data is spread across multiple
agencies. A centralized Office of Accessibility would create a
centralized reporting place. Equal access is the difference between
independence and dependence. For many disabled New Mexicans,
this is not a hypothetical; it is a daily reality. . . .
Accessibility means ensuring every New Mexican can access the
services and resources they need. Reach out to your representative
and encourage them to support the Office of Accessibility legislation.
Read the full article at the Albuquerque Journal.