News and Articles

Clarence Whaley (1947 – 2008)

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Clarence Whaley, who died on June 14 at the too young age of 60, was an unsung hero of Structured Negotiations. Along with blind advocate Paul Parravano, Clarence was a Claimant in the negotiations with American Express about Braille and Large Print statements. Clarence’s calm yet forceful presence was crucial to the outcome: a binding settlement agreement with American Express in which the company agreed to provide Braille and Large Print statements to all visually impaired account holders in the United States. Read more… Clarence Whaley (1947 – 2008)

TCF Bank Talking ATM Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
TCF BANK TO INSTALL TALKING ATMs AND ENHANCE OTHER SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS Bank Announces Collaboration with the Illinois Council of the Blind and Equip for Equality Wayzata, MN, (December 3, 2008)– TCF Bank (TCF), a subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (NYSE: TCB), the Illinois Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, and Equip for Equality announced today that TCF has launched a major initiative intended to provide easier access to its banking services for individuals with visual impairments. Read more… TCF Bank Talking ATM Press Release

Dollar General Point of Sale Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Dollar General’s New Point of Sale Equipment Praised by Blind Community Tactile devices will protect financial privacy Goodlettsville, TN (December 10, 2008)– Dollar General, one of the nation’s largest discount retailers, today announced that it has begun installing new point of sale equipment that will protect the privacy of Dollar General shoppers with visual impairments. The new devices have tactile keys arranged like a standard telephone keypad. They will allow Dollar General shoppers who have difficulty reading information on a touchscreen to privately and independently enter their PIN and other confidential information. Read more… Dollar General Point of Sale Press Release

Staples Accessible Web Site and Point of Sale Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Blind Community Leaders Applaud Staples’ Initiative to Enhance Staples.com and Store Point of Sale Equipment Framingham, MA (April 23, 2009)– Major advocacy groups for the visually impaired applaud Staples’ new initiatives designed to improve service to its customers with visual impairments. Staples will be improving its payment service terminals at the in-store point-of-sale with tactile keypads to protect the privacy and security of shoppers with visual impairments. The company will also make improvements to Staples.com that will benefit customers with visual impairments and other disabilities. Read more… Staples Accessible Web Site and Point of Sale Press Release

AFB’s AccessWorld Publishes Article on San Francisco APS

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The May, 2009 issue of AccessWorld, published by The American Foundation for the Blind, includes an article about San Francisco Accessible Pedestrian Signals written by Lainey and Jessie Lorenz. Jessie is the Director for Public Policy and Information at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. In this post we invite you to share your experience with APS. Read more… AFB’s AccessWorld Publishes Article on San Francisco APS

Target Point of Sale Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Target Improves Point of Sale Equipment to Benefit Shoppers with Visual Impairments Minneapolis, Minn. (May XX, 2009)– The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), American Council of the Blind (ACB), California Council of the Blind (CCB) and Target (NYSE:TGT) announced today that the organizations have collaborated to improve the Target checkout experience of guests with visual impairments and ensure their privacy. The AFB, ACB and CCB applaud Target’s efforts and urge other retailers to follow its example. Read more… Target Point of Sale Press Release

CVS Accessible Web Site and Point of Sale Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
CVS/pharmacy Enhancing Accessibility for the Visually Impaired To Its Web Site and Store Point of Sales Devices Initiative Announced In Collaboration with State and National Organizations for the Blind Woonsocket, Rhode Island (July 30, 2009)– CVS/pharmacy, the nation’s largest retail pharmacy, announced today that it is implementing functional improvements to benefit its customers with visual impairments and other disabilities. The Company has installed tactile keypads in all CVS stores and it will enhance its website in 2009. Read more… CVS Accessible Web Site and Point of Sale Press Release

Trader Joe’s Point of Sale Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
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. Read more… Trader Joe’s Point of Sale Press Release

Court Hears Argument about Audio Description and Captioning

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
On January 13, 2010, Court Room 2 of the federal court of appeals in San Francisco was packed with people with visual and hearing impairments. The public was there to listen to oral argument about whether a lawsuit can be filed against a movie theater that refuses to provide captioning or audio description for movie-goers with disabilities. The three appellate judges hearing the case demonstrated a keen interest in the issue and grilled the lawyer for the Harkins movie chain about why his company didn’t just “do the right thing” Read more… Court Hears Argument about Audio Description and Captioning