In a landmark agreement, advocates for people who are blind obtained WarnerMedia’s pledge to increase the accessibility of HBO Max—the much-anticipated online streaming platform that was launched in May 2020. Among other commitments, the agreement provided that WarnerMedia would provide audio description on at least 1,500 hours of new and existing programming on HBO Max … Continue reading “HBO Max Structured Negotiations”
In October 2020, Disability Rights Advocates filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of blind New Yorkers and the American Council of the Blind, New York against New York state entities, challenging the inaccessibility of “NY-Alert,” a Mass Notification System intended to warn New Yorkers and visitors of emergencies and other critical information in a … Continue reading “Chiappetta vs. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services”
In March 2019, DRA filed a class action suit against Sharks Sports & Entertainment LLC (the San Jose Sharks), the City of San Jose, and the San Jose Arena Authority for their failure to make the San Jose Sharks + SAP Center mobile application accessible to those with vision disabilities. In September 2021, the parties … Continue reading “Salsiccia v. Sharks Sports & Entertainment LLC”
In September 2017, Disability Rights Advocates announced a settlement of its federal lawsuit on behalf of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and members of the blind community against eatsa, a growing, national fast-casual restaurant chain. eatsa utilizes a high-tech service model in which customers order meals via its smartphone app or at an … Continue reading “American Council of the Blind, Michael Godino, et al. v. Keenwawa, Inc., d/b/a Eatsa”
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center has agreed to implement policy changes to ensure that its patient-focused healthcare services are accessible to individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Hospitals are required to provide patients and companions with auxiliary aids and services—such as qualified sign language interpreters or assistive listening devices—that are necessary for effective … Continue reading “Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, et al. v. Northwest Hospital & Medical Center et al.”
Page Contents Introduction Case Background Settlement Addressing Ongoing Discrimination Introduction In 2016, DRA reached an unprecedented settlement with Uber to stop discrimination against blind people who use guide dogs on the Uber platform. DRA is currently monitoring Uber’s compliance with the settlement agreement. If you were denied service by an Uber driver because you travel … Continue reading “National Federation of the Blind of California, et al. v. Uber Technologies, Inc., et al.”
In today’s challenging economy, many Americans are shopping at stores like Wal-Mart that offer low prices, convenience and affordability. These stores are central to activities of daily living for millions of people. Yet many of these retailers knowingly place point-of-sale machines beyond the reach of patrons with disabilities who use wheelchairs and scooters. This compromises … Continue reading “Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL), et al. v. Wal-Mart”
Self-service kiosk technology allows us to bank, shop, and conduct a wide range of transactions independently, without the assistance of a clerk. In this era of automated technology and self-service, it is important that businesses operate kiosks that allow everyone, including people with disabilities, to use their services. In January 2012, DRA, along with the … Continue reading “Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, et al. v. Redbox Automated Retail LLC, et al.”
In 2010, DRA, United Spinal Association and Disabled in Action filed a lawsuit on behalf of all New Yorkers of voting age with mobility and vision disabilities, who face access barriers attempting to vote privately and independently at their designated polling sites in New York City year after year. After more than four years of … Continue reading “United Spinal Association, et al. v. Board of Elections (BOE)”
In 2016, DRA reached a first-of-its-kind agreement with Netflix to make accessible for blind people the movies and videos offered through the Netflix video streaming and DVD rental subscriptions. Under the agreement, Netflix will provide a new technology called “audio description” for many popular titles in its streaming and disc rental libraries. Audio description technology … Continue reading “Netflix Settlement”