Judging a Book by its Cover

This post is about the hexagons on the cover of my book — Structured Negotiation: a Winning Alternative to Lawsuits. The hexagons were prominent in the first edition of the book, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 2016. They are in the background of the second edition, published in October 2021. Hexagons are the perfect symbol for a book about cooperation, trust, and resolving legal claims without the conflict, expense and stress of traditional litigation. Read more… Judging a Book by its Cover

Houston Transit Agency Announces Digital Access Initiative

METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY ANNOUNCES DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE: HOUSTON (March 17, 2016) — Consistent with its commitment to all of its riders, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (“METRO”) today announced an initiative to make its affiliated websites, mobile applications, and print formation more accessible and inclusive. METRO is taking the lead in the public transportation field regarding online accessibility for individuals with visual impairments. The organization adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 level AA as its accessibility standard and is making enhancements to work toward meeting this standard. Read more… Houston Transit Agency Announces Digital Access Initiative

Book Launch Celebration!

More than 100 people gathered in Berkeley, California on October 16, 2016 to help me celebrate the publication of Structured Negotiation, a Winning Alternative to Lawsuits. The atrium at the beautiful Ed Roberts Campus was perfect place for the party. Blind activists who have helped Structured Negotiation flourish as a way to resolve legal claims without lawsuits, members of the local disability community, and friends and colleagues from so many strands of my life turned out to celebrate the book despite the first big rain of the season. Read more… Book Launch Celebration!

Rite Aid Now Offers Talking Prescription Labels

Congratulations to Rite Aid! Today the company announced it is offering talking prescription labels at all of the company’s retail pharmacies in the United States. (Rite Aid currently operates more than 4,500 locations). The press release posted below is the result of a Structured Negotiation between Rite Aid and the American Council of the Blind, the California Council of the Blind, and several blind Rite Aid customers. No lawsuit was necessary. Read more… Rite Aid Now Offers Talking Prescription Labels

Denny’s Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

Posted here is the company’s digital accessibility settlement agreement with the American Council of the Blind and blind Denny’s customer Lisa Irving. The agreement describes the company’s commitment to make its web and mobile content accessible and usable by all users, including those with disabilities. Denny’s is using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA as its web and mobile standard. This agreement was reached in Structured Negotiation; no lawsuit was filed or needed. Read more… Denny’s Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

Digital Access Legal Update – December 2016

This post includes legal developments about digital accessibility between May 8, 2016 and December 12, 2016. This is the final update during the Obama administration, an eight year period that has seen an explosion of legal activity by the federal government advancing digital accessibility. I wrote two pieces about how I think the election will impact the legal push for digital accessibility. Read more… Digital Access Legal Update – December 2016

E*Trade Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

The settlement agreement posted here details E*Trade’s commitment to improving the accessibility and usability of its website, mobile application and online trading platform for customers who are blind. The agreement was reached in Structured Negotiation; no lawsuit was needed or filed. The Law Office of Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian, of the Oakland civil rights firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian and Ho represented Pratik Patel and Victor Tsaran, two E*Trade customers, in the negotiation. E*Trade will be using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA as its accessibility standard. The agreement identifies the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14289, also known as PDF/UA (PDF/Universal Accessibility) standard as the standard for PDF accessibility. Read more… E*Trade Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

Bank of America Accessible Mortgage Information Agreement

The settlement agreement posted here details Bank of America’s commitment to improving the accessibility and usability of mortgage documents for customers who are blind. The agreement was reached in Structured Negotiation; no lawsuit was needed or filed. The Law Office of Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian, of the Oakland civil rights firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian and Ho represented Bank of America mortgage holder Jessie Lorenz in the negotiation. This agreement reflects Bank of America’s ongoing commitment to its disabled customers, begun more than fifteen years ago when the bank assumed a leadership role in rolling out Talking ATMs and making its online banking platform accessible. Visit the Bank of America Accessibility topic on this website for links to press releases and settlement agreements demonstrating the bank’s accessibility commitment. Read more… Bank of America Accessible Mortgage Information Agreement

Denny’s Announces Digital Accessibility Initiative

Denny’s Introduces Newly Enhanced Website and Mobile Application Upgraded Platforms Offer Enhanced Accessibility and Functionality for All Users SPARTANBURG, S.C., January 6, 2016 – Denny’s Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN), franchisor and operator of one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, today announced its newly upgraded website and mobile application offering an enhanced user experience and greater accessibility for all consumers. Read more… Denny’s Announces Digital Accessibility Initiative