In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1998, to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to persons with disabilities. 29 USC Section 794 d. Section 508 was enacted to ensure that persons with disabilities have the same access to websites and other information and electronic technology as persons without disabilities. This law works in conjuction with the American Disabilities Act to ensure web accessiblity to persons with disabilities. In 2006, a blind California resident and the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) sued Target claiming that its website was not accessible using screen access technology. Screen access technology converts web pages, text and other information on the internet to braille or synthesized speech. Examples of screen acess technology are Jaws for Windows and Window Eyes. The lawsuit alleged that Target had not made their website accessible and that those using the website who had visual disabilities could not access the site to make purchases, redeem giftcards, find store locations and perform other functions the same way that sighted customers could. The lawsuit further alleged that Target's failure to make its website accessible to persons with visual disabilities violated among other things the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Target and NFB reached an agreement on behalf of a national class of "legally blind persons who have tried to access the Target website" requiring them to:
1. Take steps, in consultation with the NFB, to make its website accessible for persons with visual disabilities.
2. Make its website fully accessible to persons with visual disabilities by February, 2009, meaning that from that point on access its website would be the same for the visual impaired as it is for persons without visual impairments.
3. Pay damages in the amount of 6 mllion in damages to be shared by plaintiffs who submit valid claims from the California class and donate $20,000 in the name of the original plaintiff to establish a California Center for the Blind.
Wow how interesting. It sometimes takes a stand like that to get the playing field a little more level.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that. I wonder how many other large chain stores have gotten in trouble for that, too. This makes me realize how much I take for granted with computers and easily navigating the web.
ReplyDeleteJaime,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we take a lot for granted regarding access to computers and the web! I don't know how many other stores/websites have gotten in trouble OR could still potentially BE in trouble for providimg equal access to the disabled, but that would be an interesting topic to research at some point.