Articles
This page has short summaries of every article posted on Lainey Feingold's website with links to the full articles. Visit the Topics Page for all 300 plus articles on this website organized into 38 topics including Structured Negotiation and digital accessibility.
The articles here are in chronological order, arranged by the date of publication or the date of the most recent Update when an article has been updated. Most recent articles and updated articles appear first on this list.
When an Article is updated there is a link to the Updates right below the the summary of the page.
On July 26, 2010, the United States Department of Justice issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the issue of website accessibility. The Notice asks a series of questions for the public to answer to help the Justice Department in its rulemaking process.
This post provides information, resources and examples of large commercial websites that have been designed to meet accessibility standards. These sites are operated by some of the largest entities in the United States, including Bank of America, Major League Baseball and CVS. These corporations, and the others referenced here, have made their websites accessible without litigation as a result of Structured Negotiations and other advocacy efforts.
Read more… Web Accessibility, Structured Negotiations and DOJ Rulemaking
On September 15, 2010, the United States Department of Justice published, in the Federal Register, its revised rules implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. Official publication is one of the last steps on a very long road leading to new ADA regulations for both public and private entities on a diverse set of issues including Talking ATMs, ticketing for accessible seating, effective communication, service animals and more. The next steps? The new rules take effect on March 15, 2011 – six months after publication in the Federal Register. Compliance with the new 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (revising what is often erroneously referred to as ADAAG), is required as of March, 2012.
Read more… Revised ADA Regulations (Finally) Include Detailed Talking ATM Requirements
On Friday, October 8, 2010, President Obama is scheduled to sign the Twenty First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. This historic event is the result of years of dedicated advocacy by a broad coalition of disability rights organizations that work together as COAT – the coaltion of Organizations for Accessible Technology. Disability rights leaders will be on hand to witness the signing ceremony.
Read more… White House Signing Ceremony for 21st Century Communications Act
The California Council of the Blind and three California residents with visual impairments have filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways in Federal Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleges that JetBlue has violated California law by maintaining a website and operating airport check-in kiosks that are inaccessible to individuals with visual impairments. The lawsuit is based on three California laws: the Unruh Act, the California Disabled Persons Act, and the California Unfair Competition Law.
Read more… Accessibility Lawsuit Filed Against JetBlue Airways
As regular readers of LFLegal know, Major League Baseball (MLB) has shown great commitment to web site accessibility throughout the 2010 season. As the World Series begins this week, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its affiliates in Massachusetts and California continue to work with MLB on the accessibility of mlb.com and the team sites. The feedback of baseball fans with visual impairments is essential to that effort.
Read more… MLB: On-Line Accessibility During the World Series
On January 10, 2011, Lainey Feingold testified at the San Francisco Public Hearing on the Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking to Revise the ADA Implementing Regulations. The hearing was the last of three held in conjunction with proposed rules on web accessibility and other issues. In her comments, posted here, Lainey urged the Department not to re-invent the wheel, and not to make any rule that would be a “Do Not Enter” sign on the information highway.
Read more… New Web Regulations Should Avoid “Do Not Enter” Signs for People with Disabilities
American Cancer Society’s New Website Designed for Enhanced Accessibility
Blind Community Leaders Praise ACS Initiative; Alternative Format Pilot Program Also Underway
Atlanta (February 23, 2011)– The American Cancer Society (ACS), in collaboration with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), has taken affirmative steps to make its newly redesigned cancer.org website and other information accessible to people with visual impairments. The American Cancer Society’s new website provides an improved experience for anyone looking for information, help or ways to fight back against cancer. The new cancer.org is divided into four main sections – Stay Healthy, Find Support & Treatment, Explore Research and Get Involved – that reflect the primary ways the American Cancer Society helps save lives from cancer.
Read more… American Cancer Society Accessible Web and Alternative Formats Press Release
The ground breaking agreement posted here recognizes the growing importance of accessible health care information to people with visual impairments. Working with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in the Structured Negotiations process, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has agreed to design and generate its website in accordance to well accepted web accessibility standards. ACS has also agreed to undertake a pilot program for making its print materials available in alternative formats including Braille, Large Print, audio and electronic formats.
Read more… American Cancer Society Accessible Website and Alternative Formats Agreement
On July 22, 2011, there will be a hearing in the federal court house in San Francisco in the disability access case against JetBlue Airways. JetBlue is asking United States District Court Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero to dismiss the case. The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at 450 Golden Gate Avenue in Court Room A on the 15th Floor. The hearing is open to the public. The case, brought by the California Council of the Blind and three blind JetBlue customers, is about access barriers on JetBlue’s website and the inaccessibility of JetBlue’s airport check-in kiosks to people with visual impairments.
Read more… Court to Hear Argument in JetBlue Accessibility Case
The United States Department of Justice is now taking claims from individuals with disabilities who believe that they have been discriminated against by Wells Fargo or Wachovia because of their disability. Claims must be filed by January 29, 2012. In this post you can find resources regarding the claims filing process, and learn more about the issues affecting people with visual impairments that may give rise to a claim. Under the settlement, individuals with disabilities may file claims for monetary payment based on Americans with Disabilities Act violations by Wells Fargo and Wachovia. The amount of payment each person can receive is not specified, but there is a total pot of up to 16 million dollars.
Read more… Wells Fargo and Department of Justice: Claims Filing Information for the Blind Community
