News and Articles

Why I Am Canceling my 2010 CSUN Presentation

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
After much internal soul searching, I have reluctantly decided to cancel my presentation at the 25th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, widely known as ‘CSUN’. Why? I recently learned of the national gay rights and labor boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, the site of this year’s conference. This is CSUN’s first year in San Diego, and I hope that next year this wonderful conference can find a home in a hotel that does not run afoul of basic human rights principles. Read more… Why I Am Canceling my 2010 CSUN Presentation

All 18,000 Bank of America ATMs are now Talking ATMs!

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Bank of America Completes Installation of Talking ATMs Maintains Leadership Role in Services for Visually Impaired Customers Charlotte (March 31, 2010)– As part of its long-standing commitment to customers with visual impairments, Bank of America today announced that every Bank of America ATM in the country has been equipped with voice-enabled technology. Visually impaired customers can now access more than 18,000 Bank of America ATMs, the largest network of bank-owned ATMs in the U.S. Talking ATMs provide audible instructions in English or Spanish to persons who cannot view information on an ATM screen. These machines make it easier for people with visual impairments to withdraw cash, deposit money and perform other ATM transactions. The ATMs have audio jacks that deliver spoken instructions privately through standard headsets to protect the security of users who are blind or have low-vision. Read more… All 18,000 Bank of America ATMs are now Talking ATMs!

Best Buy Tactile POS Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Best Buy Adds Tactile Keypads to Improve Checkout Experience for Customers with Visual Impairments Minneapolis, Minn (March 31, 2010)– Best Buy Co., Inc. today announced that it has begun a nationwide initiative to improve the checkout experience for Best Buy customers who are blind or visually impaired. The company has begun to add tactile keypads to point-of-sale devices at Best Buy stores, enabling shoppers who cannot read information on a touch screen to privately and independently enter their personal identification number (PIN) in order to protect their financial privacy. The announcement was praised by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), American Council of the Blind (ACB), California Council of the Blind (CCB). Read more… Best Buy Tactile POS Press Release

MLB.Com: Gearing up for Opening Day Accessibility

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
This is a pre-opening day update about accessibility improvements to mlb.com and the 2010 audio and video players. This information will be updated on this site and on Brian Charlson’s website. MLB has been working very hard to ensure that this year’s video and audio players are accessible, and the ACB MLB accessibility group has been working closely with them in this effort. One thing we have learned in the process is that changes to the whole site — not just accessibility — are being made up to the very last moment. Read more… MLB.Com: Gearing up for Opening Day Accessibility

August Longo: Advocate for Accessible Health Care through Structured Negotiations

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The disability community lost a strong advocate on April 6 when San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner August J.P. Longo died unexpectedly in his home. In addition to his Commissioner title, August was well known for his role on the City’s Access Appeals Board, his position as Regional Director of the State Democratic Party, and other activism in state and local politics. Less known was his advocacy for accessible health care. It was in this capacity that my co-counsel Linda Dardarian and I came to know and appreciate August Longo. Read more… August Longo: Advocate for Accessible Health Care through Structured Negotiations

Thank You COAT Advocates

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
On July 15 2010, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation adopted “The Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act,” Senate Bill S. 3304. By a unanimous voice vote the bill was moved to the full Senate floor. The Law Office of Lainey Feingold thanks the disability advocates in the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) whose tireless commitment and endless work got this important legislation to this critical juncture. Read more… Thank You COAT Advocates

Linda Dardarian: Structured Negotiations Leader Recognized as California Super Lawyer

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
For the sixth year in a row, Linda Dardarian has been named a California Super Lawyer by her peers in the legal community. Linda, a partner in the Oakland California civil rights firm of Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian, has been Lainey Feingold’s principal co-counsel in Structured Negotiations cases for the past fifteen years. Linda has played a critical role in developing Structured Negotiations as an advocacy and dispute resolution method and in effectively implementing it in a wide variety of cases. Read more… Linda Dardarian: Structured Negotiations Leader Recognized as California Super Lawyer

Paul Longmore: Giant of the Disability Rights Movement (1946 – 2010)

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The international disability rights movement lost a brilliant leader and great thinker on August 9, 2010 when Paul Longmore died unexpectedly at his home in San Francisco. Longmore, Professor of History and Director of the Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University was a thoughtful and visionary scholar, disability studies pioneer, fierce advocate and role model to many. Read more… Paul Longmore: Giant of the Disability Rights Movement (1946 – 2010)

Revised ADA Regulations (Finally) Include Detailed Talking ATM Requirements

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
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

White House Signing Ceremony for 21st Century Communications Act

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
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