Alternative Format Press Releases

Alternative formats are so named because they are alternatives to standard print. Alternative formats allow blind and other print-disabled people private access to information, including critical financial, health and insurance information. Alternative formats include braille, accessible electronic documents, large print and audio formats as well as accessible online content. This category includes press releases about settlement agreements reached in Structured Negotiation guaranteeing alternative formats.

WellPoint (Anthem) Accessibility Press Release

Posted on Updated on April 1, 2021
WellPoint Announces Accessibility Initiative INDIANAPOLIS (February 12, 2014) — Consistent with its commitment to being a valued health care partner, WellPoint (NYSE: WLP) today announced an initiative to make its affiliated health plan websites, mobile applications, and print information more accessible and inclusive for all members. WellPoint’s initiative will especially improve the member experience for health plan members with visual impairments. Read more… WellPoint (Anthem) Accessibility Press Release

Mass. Eye and Ear, Bay State Council of the Blind Launch Collaboration

Posted on Updated on September 22, 2020
Mass. Eye and Ear Launches Collaboration with Bay State Council of the Blind to Improve Access. January 24, 2017 (Boston) – In partnership with the Bay State Council of the Blind, Massachusetts Eye and Ear today announced the launch of a comprehensive initiative to ensure that persons with visual disabilities have full and equal opportunity to the best possible care. Issues addressed in the initiative include web accessibility, alternative formats, and training. Read more… Mass. Eye and Ear, Bay State Council of the Blind Launch Collaboration

Union Bank of California Press Release

Posted on Updated on May 20, 2018
The Union Bank press release was issued as a result of the Union Bank settlement agreement negotiated by Lainey using Structured Negotiations on behalf of California blind advocate Margie Donovan. In the agreement, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs at all its locations and implement a comprehensive alternative format policy. Subsequently, the bank also committed to make its website accessible. Read more… Union Bank of California Press Release

Humana Press Release: Talking Prescription Labels Now Available

Posted on Updated on April 2, 2018
Humana Offers Talking Prescription Labels for Members with Visual Impairments New service continues Humana’s Commitment to Quality Care and Member Experience Louisville, Kentucky (9/30/2015) – Humana (NYSE: HUM) announced today that it now offers talking prescription labels, at no cost, to blind and visually impaired members who fill prescriptions through Humana Pharmacy, Inc. and at its seven PrescribeIT Rx locations in Florida. Read more… Humana Press Release: Talking Prescription Labels Now Available

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

American Cancer Society Accessible Web and Alternative Formats Press Release

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
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

Weight Watchers Announces Comprehensive Accessibility Initiative

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Congratulations Weight Watchers! Posted here is a press release announcing Weight Watcher’s commitment to digital accessibility for its members and subscribers who are blind and visually impaired. Weight Watchers will use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA as the standard for its online and mobile application content, and will be providing print material in accessible formats for persons with visual impairments who cannot read standard print. Weight Watchers worked on this initiative in Structured Negotiations with the American Council of the Blind and individual blind Weight Watchers members. They were represented by the Law Office of Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian of the Oakland, California civil rights firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho. Read more… Weight Watchers Announces Comprehensive Accessibility Initiative

American Cancer Society Information in Braille, Large Print, Audio Formats and Accessible On-Line

Posted on
Last month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) announced a comprehensive initiative to improve access to its materials by people with visual impairments. Using the alternative dispute resolution method known as Structured Negotiations, ACS worked with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) to improve the accessibility of its website and to develop a pilot program for providing accessible information. As described in this post, print information is now available in Braille, Large Print, mp3, audio CD and accessible electronic formats. Access to information is a civil right and is key to full inclusion of people with disabilities into modern society. Please share this post and help spread the word about the availability of cancer-related information in formats that people who are blind and visually impaired can read. Read more… American Cancer Society Information in Braille, Large Print, Audio Formats and Accessible On-Line