2011

You are reviewing articles published in 2011.

Court Rules in Favor of JetBlue – Airline Websites and Kiosks Not Covered by State Law

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
In a blow to the rights of people with disabilities in California and across the country, a second United States federal judge has ruled that state anti-discrimination laws do not apply to airline websites and kiosks. In a closely watched case against JetBlue Airways, Judge Joseph Spero ruled on August 3, 2011 that regulations issued by the United States Department of Transportation — no matter how weak and ineffective — strip away the rights California residents with visual impairments to access and use JetBlue’s website and airport kiosks. The Judge threw the case out of court on the airline’s motion to dismiss. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of another federal District Court Judge in California who ruled in April that because of the federal Department of Transportation’s actions, United Airlines was free to have airline check-in kiosks that cannot be used by people with disabilities. Read more… Court Rules in Favor of JetBlue – Airline Websites and Kiosks Not Covered by State Law

JetBlue Court Ruling Appealed

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The Plaintiffs in the accessibility lawsuit against JetBlue Airways have filed a Notice of Appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Notice is the first step in their effort to reverse the District Court’s August 3, 2011 order that threw the case out of court. The lawsuit is about JetBlue’s website and airport kiosks that are not accessible to people with visual impairments. The lower court ruled that California state law protecting the civil rights of persons with disabilities does not apply to airline websites and kiosks. The court’s ruling only applies to airline web sites and kiosks, and does not affect legal advocacy efforts seeking access to other websites or kiosks. Read more… JetBlue Court Ruling Appealed

Talking ATMs in Mumbai India

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
For many years the Law Office of Lainey Feingold has been keeping track of Talking ATM installations in countries all over the world. On September 10, 2011, Google’s “Talking ATM” alert brought news of installations in Mumbai India. United States ATM manufacturers NCR and Diebold are featured in the article. Read more… Talking ATMs in Mumbai India

Talking ATMs in Jakarta, Indonesia

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Talking ATM technology continues to spread across the globe. Earlier this month, the Standard Chartered Bank in Indonesia announced installation of that country’s first Talking ATMs. The full article that appeared in the Jakarta Times is posted here. Other posts on this website about Talking ATMs in countries outside the United States may be found in the International Issues category on LFLegal.com. Read more… Talking ATMs in Jakarta, Indonesia

Comments Due January 9, 2012 on DOT Web and Kiosk Proposal

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The United States Department of Transportation is currently seeking public comments to its proposed regulations about accessible airline websites and check-in kiosks. The Department is using a new “user friendly” on-line platform to encourage comments, which are due January 9, 2012. The DOT proposed regulations have many positive aspects. However, there are also significant parts of the proposal that need to be strengthened to ensure full equality for people with disabilities in air travel. (Certainly the regulations should not be “killed” as one commenter on the new platform has already suggested). This post contains information on key aspects of the DOT proposal and information about submitting comments. Read more… Comments Due January 9, 2012 on DOT Web and Kiosk Proposal

Barclays Bank Agrees to Install Talking ATMs as Part of RNIB Campaign

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Congratulations to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in the United Kingdom for signing up Barclays Bank as part of RNIB’s “Money Talks” program. Barclays has committed to install Talking ATMs at its branches by the end of 2012. Posted here is the article about Barclays that appeared on ZDNet UK on November 22, 2011. Read more… Barclays Bank Agrees to Install Talking ATMs as Part of RNIB Campaign

Proposed Regulations Address Airline Websites and Kiosks

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The United States Department of Transportation issued a press release on September 19, 2011 announcing proposed regulations on airline websites and airline kiosks. The proposed rules would require most airlines to have accessible websites within two years of any final regulation (which could be several years from now if at all). The proposal, if enacted, would also require kiosks purchased after any final regulation to meet accessibility standards. The full text of the announcement is in this post. The DOT’s proposed regulations come as the appeal is pending in two California lawsuits against airlines for failure to maintain websites and kiosks that persons with visual impairments can use. Read more… Proposed Regulations Address Airline Websites and Kiosks

American Cancer Society Information in Braille, Large Print, Audio Formats and Accessible On-Line

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Last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) announced a comprehensive initiative to improve access to its materials by people with visual impairments. Using the alternative dispute resolution method known as Structured Negotiations, ACS worked with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to improve the accessibility of its website and to develop a pilot program for providing accessible information. As described in this post, print information is now available in Braille, Large Print, mp3, audio CD and accessible electronic formats. Access to information is a civil right and is key to full inclusion of people with disabilities into modern society. Please share this post and help spread the word about the availability of cancer-related information in formats that people who are blind and visually impaired can read. Read more… American Cancer Society Information in Braille, Large Print, Audio Formats and Accessible On-Line

Spring 2011 Conference Presentations

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In the Spring of 2011 Lainey Feingold will be speaking at three technology and disability conferences: the 2011 International Technology and People with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) in San Diego, the Conference on Employment and Visual Impairment sponsored by the Computer Center for Visually Impaired People (CCVIP) at Baruch College in New York City, and the John Slatin AccessU 2011 sponsored by Knowbility in Austin, Texas. In this post you can read about and find links to each of these conferences. Read more… Spring 2011 Conference Presentations

World Braille Day Question: Is your Information Accessible?

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January 4, 2011 marks the 202d birthday of Louis Braille. The milestone is celebrated throughout the world: World Braille Day across the globe, National Braille Week in the UK, National Braille Literacy Month in the United States. In an era when access to information grows increasingly important, the birth of the founder of Braille is certainly worth celebrating. But thinking about Braille is also sobering. Despite strong civil rights laws guaranteeing effective communication to people with visual impairments, too much critical information is not available in Braille for those who need it. Read more… World Braille Day Question: Is your Information Accessible?