News and Articles

Buying a Bitcoin ATM? Make Sure it’s Accessible

August 27, 2014Updated on March 10, 2016

Bitcoin ATMs are all the rage. But are they accessible to people with disabilities? The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that every ATM be fully available to people with disabilities. Bitcoin may be the currency of the future, but its infrastructure is being built today. Let’s make sure it is accessible to everyone. Read more…

Talking ATMs – Fifteen Years of Accessible Banking

September 30, 2014Updated on March 10, 2016

October 1, 2014 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the first Talking ATM in the United States. On this day in 1999 San Francisco unveiled the first accessible ATM in this country. Since then tens of thousands of Talking ATMs have been installed. Congratulations advocates! Read more…

Note to Retailers: Chip and Pin Upgrades Must Include Real Keypads

December 16, 2014Updated on March 10, 2016

This is a post about point of sale devices that work with new chip and pin payment cards. Retailers will be upgrading devices in 2015 to accept the chip and pin cards. Those devices must have tactile keypads so blind people do not have to disclose their PIN. Read more…

Accessibility Matters in the Battle of Mobile Payment Systems

December 16, 2014Updated on March 10, 2016

This is a post about mobile payment systems and the need for them to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Apple pay, CurrentC, Square and the rest work with mobile applications. Those applications must be developed and implemented with accessibility features. If not, developers and retailers run afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state laws. Read more…

Rite Aid Talking Prescription Label Settlement Agreement

February 18, 2016Updated on March 10, 2016

This post contains the settlement between Rite Aid and the American Council of the Blind. Rite Aid has agreed to offer talking prescription labels to customers in the United States at all of its stores. The devices allow people who cannot see standard print labels to confidentially and safely take medication. Read more…

Bank of America Florida Talking ATM Press Release

December 4, 2000Updated on March 10, 2016

This release was one of several issued as part of the implementation of the first Bank of America Settlement Agreement negotiated by Lainey and co-counsel Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations. This agreement was the first in the country to address Talking ATMs, web accessibility, and alternative formats. As of early 2008, Bank of America had over 11,000 Talking ATMs. Read more…

Safeway Point of Sale Press Release

October 31, 2006Updated on March 10, 2016

The press release about Safeway Point of Sale Devices was issued as a result of a Settlement Agreement negotiated by Lainey and co-counsel Linda Dardarian on behalf of the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, and the California Council of the Blind. The full Settlement Agreement is posted in the Point of Sale Settlements Category. Read more…

Airline Website Not Accessible? Here’s Who to Call

December 10, 2015Updated on March 1, 2016

If you use assistive technology, can you book a flight on line? Check-in before you travel? As of December 12, 2015, the core functions of airline websites must be accessible to and usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. What if an airline website is not accessible after December 12? Read more…

Rite Aid Accessible Web and POS Press Release

May 1, 2008Updated on February 27, 2016

RITE AID’S WEB SITE AND POINT OF SALE IMPROVEMENTS PRAISED BY BLIND COMMUNITY LEADERS Camp Hill, PA (May 1, 2008)– In a move praised by state and national blindness organizations, Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD) today announced it has undertaken a nationwide initiative that will benefit Rite Aid customers with visual impairments and other disabilities. As part of the program, Rite Aid has made enhancements to its Web site and has begun installing new point of sale equipment with tactile keypads to protect the privacy and security of all shoppers who have difficulty entering numbers on a flat screen. Read more…