Trader Joe’s Point of Sale Press Release

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This document is the press release about the legal agreement signed by Trader Joe’s with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the Blind, and the California Council of the Blind (CCB). Trader Joe’s agreed to make changes so blind people can pay for things with payment cards and enter their own PIN. Trader Joe’s agreed that payment devices in all Trader Joe’s stores would have keys that a person can feel. Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian were the lawyers for the blind community. No lawsuit was filed. Instead, a formal process known as Structured Negotiations was used. [Back to Press Release]

Trader Joe's

This Trader Joe’s press release announces a legal agreement signed by Trader Joe’s with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the American Foundation for the Blind and the California Council of the Blind (CCB). In the Trader Joe’s Point of Sale Settlement Agreement, the company agreed to install tactile point of sale devices at all its U.S. stores so that blind people do not have to disclose their PIN when using a debit card. Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian were the lawyers for the blind community, using Structured Negotiations to achieve the Trader Joe’s settlement agreement.

Simplified Summary of this Document


Blind Community Leaders Applaud Trader Joe’s Commitment to Improve Point of Sale Equipment to Benefit Shoppers with Visual Impairments

Sacramento, CA (August 18, 2009)– American Council of the Blind (ACB), the California Council of the Blind (CCB) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced today that they have collaborated with Trader Joe’s to improve the checkout experience of guests with visual impairments and help ensure their privacy. The AFB, ACB, and CCB applaud Trader Joe’s efforts.

Trader Joe’s has added tactile keypads to point of sale devices at all their locations. The new improvements allow shoppers who have visual impairments or difficulty reading information on a touch screen to privately and independently enter their personal identification number (PIN), protecting their financial privacy.

Trader Joe’s is a very popular store for the thousands of ACB and CCB members across the country. Today’s announcement is just one more example of the Company’s dedication to customer service. — Jeff Thom, President of the CCB

Trader Joe’s operates more than 325 stores in 25 states plus the District of Columbia.

About the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the California Council of the Blind (CCB)

The American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans throughout the country, with members organized through seventy state and special interest affiliates. The California Council of the Blind is the California affiliate of the ACB, and is a statewide membership organization, with 40 local chapters and statewide special interest associations. The ACB and CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Their members and affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence for people who are blind and visually impaired. More information about the ACB and CCB can be found by visiting ACB’s website and CCB’s website.

About the American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit AFB’s website.

Contacts

Mitch Pomerantz
American Council of the Blind
626-372-5150

Adrianna Montague-Gray
American Foundation for the Blind
212-502-7675