Alternative Format Settlements

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 settlement agreements reached in Structured Negotiation guaranteeing alternative formats.

Washington Mutual Talking ATM, Web and Alternative Format Agreement

Posted on Updated on November 8, 2020
The Washington Mutual Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the the California Council of the Blind (CCB), the Florida Council of the Blind, and several blind individuals. In the Agreement, Washington Mutual agreed to install Talking ATMs across the country, upgrade its website to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and provide banking materials in alternative formats. Washington Mutual was the first bank to offer Talking ATMs in Spanish. Read more… Washington Mutual Talking ATM, Web and Alternative Format Agreement

Agreement Between Mass. Eye and Ear and Bay State Council of the Blind

Posted on Updated on September 22, 2020
The agreement posted here is the result of a collaboration to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired people at the world’s largest vision and hearing research center. Mass. Eye and Ear and the Bay State Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, worked in Structured Negotiation together. The… Read more… Agreement Between Mass. Eye and Ear and Bay State Council of the Blind

Sovereign Bank Settlement Agreement

Posted on Updated on May 6, 2018
The Sovereign Bank Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Stan Eichner of the Disability Law Center in Boston, Massachusetts, using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Bay State Council of the Blind and other Massachusetts advocates. In the Agreement, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs at all its locations, institute a comprehensive alternative format policy and make its website accessible. Read more… Sovereign Bank Settlement Agreement

Weight Watchers Print and Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
Posted here is the settlement agreement between Weight Watchers, the American Council of the Blind, and blind Weight Watchers members Alice Ritchhart and Lillian Scaife. The agreement demonstrates Weight Watchers’ strong commitment to digital accessibility for its members and subscribers who are blind and visually impaired. Weight Watchers will be using 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. The agreement, reached using Structured Negotiations, also includes training, monitoring and implementation provisions. Linda Dardarian of the Oakland civil rights firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho was co-counsel with the Law Office of Lainey Feingold in representing the blind community. Read more… Weight Watchers Print and Digital Accessibility Settlement Agreement

TCF Bank Talking ATM and Alternative Formats Settlement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
The TCF Bank Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Amy Peterson of the Chicago-based Equip for Equality using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Illinois Council of the Blind, an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind and a blind TCF customer. In the Agreement, TCF began a Talking ATM and alternative format program in all states in which it does business. The bank will install over 300 Talking ATMs by the end of 2009. Read more… TCF Bank Talking ATM and Alternative Formats Settlement

Union Bank of California Agreement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
The Union Bank settlement agreement was 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. Union Bank of California had the first Talking ATMs in Washington State and Oregon. Subsequently, the bank also committed to make its website accessible. Read more… Union Bank of California Agreement

American Express Braille and Large Print Agreement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
The American Express Braille Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian using Structured Negotiations on behalf of Paul Parravano and Clarence Whaley. In the Agreement, American Express agreed to provide monthly credit card statements and year end summaries in Braille and Large Print for all American Express customers in the United States. Read more… American Express Braille and Large Print Agreement

La Salle Final Agreement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
The LaSalle Final Settlement Agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Amy Peterson of the Chicago-based Equip for Equality using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Metropolitan Chicago affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. In the Agreement, LaSalle institute a Talking ATM and alternative format program in all states in which it operated and agreed to upgrade its website to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) promulgated by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium. Read more… La Salle Final Agreement

Fleet Bank Initial Settlement Agreement

Posted on Updated on April 3, 2018
The Fleet Bank initial settlement agreement was negotiated by Lainey Feingold and co-counsel Stan Eichner of the Disability Law Center in Boston, Massachusetts, using Structured Negotiations on behalf of the Bay State Council of the Blind and other Massachusetts advocates. Fleet, which was subsequently purchased by Bank of America, agreed in this document to install Talking ATMs, adopt a comprehensive alternative formats policy, and make its website accessible. Structured Negotiations offers the flexibility to have multiple agreements when all parties agree. In the final Fleet settlement agreement, the bank agreed to install Talking ATMs at 100% of its ATM locations. Read more… Fleet Bank Initial Settlement Agreement