Digital Accessibility

This category includes posts about web and mobile accessibility, broadly referred to as digital access.

First Addendum to MLB Settlement Agreement

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
The settlement posted here extends the Agreement between Major League Baseball and the American Council of the Blind and its Massachusetts and California affiliates. This is the first agreement of its kind to address the accessibility of applications for mobile devices. MLB has agreed to use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA as its standard for mobile applications, and has recently released AtBat™ for the iPhone and iPad with enhanced accessibility. Read more… First Addendum to MLB Settlement Agreement

Federal Judge Rules that ADA Covers Web-only Businesses

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Those who believe that web content should be available to everyone regardless of disability received welcomed news on Tuesday, June 19. On that day, a federal district court judge in Massachusetts held that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to web-only businesses. The ruling came in a case brought by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) against Netflix for the streaming video giant’s faiure to provide closed captioning on most of its “Watch Instantly” programming streamed on the Internet. Netflix had tried to get the case thrown out of court, arguing that the ADA only applies to physical places, and not to a web-only operation like Netflix’ streaming video service. The Judge rejected this argument, and the case will now move forward. The U.S. Department of Justice also played a significant role by entering the case in support of the plaintiffs’ position. Read more… Federal Judge Rules that ADA Covers Web-only Businesses

Credit Reports Have Errors: Check Yours in an Accessible Format

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
On February 12, 2013 a New York Times editorial noted that one in five consumers have confirmed errors in their credit reports. The news came from a detailed report issued in December, 2012 by the United States Federal Trade Commission and is a timely reminder about the need for everyone to check their credit reports. As a result of Structured Negotiations, free credit reports are available in Braille, Large Print, Audio CD and online in an accessible format. An accessible credit report is only a click or a phone call away. Here is the information you need to order one today. Read more… Credit Reports Have Errors: Check Yours in an Accessible Format

Bank of America Commits to Enhanced Mobile and Web Accessibility

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
Posted here is a press release announcing Bank of America’s most recent accessibility initiative — its commitment to ensure the accessibility of security features on its website and iOS mobile applications. With this release Bank of America continues its leadership role in providing digital access and usability for people with visual impairments. Read more… Bank of America Commits to Enhanced Mobile and Web Accessibility

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

It’s Hard to be Optimistic About the New DOT Web and Kiosks Regulations

Posted on Updated on March 10, 2016
On November 5, 2013 the United States Department of Transportation issued regulations governing the accessibility for people with disabilities to websites and kiosks of domestic and foreign airlines that sell air travel to U.S. consumers. While there are positive aspects of the new regulations, the government missed an enormous opportunity to advance and protect the rights of travelers with disabilities. Read more… It’s Hard to be Optimistic About the New DOT Web and Kiosks Regulations

Twenty Five Years From Today

Posted on Updated on February 9, 2016
What will the digital world be like in 2040? Will we even use the term ‘digital?’ Will accessibility and usability be integrated into the new reality? And just how many “things” will be part of the web of things? A workshop Lainey Feingold is co-facilitating at the 2015 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium will explore these very questions. Read more… Twenty Five Years From Today

More Bank of America Website Accessibility Enhancements

Posted on Updated on February 9, 2016
Bank of America Continues to Enhance Online Access for People With Visual Impairments Enhancements to Travel Rewards Redemption Online Site Improve Accessibility CHARLOTTE – June 4, 2015 As part of its long-standing commitment to customers with visual impairments, Bank of America is enhancing the accessibility of its travel redemption website. The site is used by the bank’s credit card customers to redeem reward points for travel. Read more… More Bank of America Website Accessibility Enhancements

Separate is Not Equal: Good News for Grocery Delivery

Posted on
On February 26, 2014, Safeway took an important step in meeting its goal of a fully usable digital experience for all customers. In a banner posted on its grocery delivery site, Safeway announced it was eliminating the separate text-only website it had maintained for many years. Eliminating the text-only site is part of Safeway’s commitment to making its main site accessible to all users. Read more… Separate is Not Equal: Good News for Grocery Delivery