[Nfbnet-members-list] LinkNYC Discriminates Against Blind New Yorkers and Visitors

[Danielsen, Chris]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org

LinkNYC Discriminates Against Blind New Yorkers and Visitors
National Federation of the Blind Sues City over New Service

New York City (July 28, 2016): The National Federation of the Blind 
has filed suit today against the city of New York because its new 
LinkNYC program, which provides various free services to citizens via 
public "links" that are being deployed with the goal of replacing 
public payphones, is not accessible to the blind. The links that are 
part of the program, already installed along Third and Eighth Avenues 
in Manhattan, are supposed to provide free internet surfing, local 
and long distance phone calls, and access to emergency services with 
a dedicated 911 button. Although the links are equipped with audio 
jacks, there is no audio guidance for blind users to access these 
services, even though the technology for such guidance is readily 
available and already in use at ATM's, public transit ticketing 
machines, and similar services throughout the nation. Mindy Jacobsen, 
first vice president of the National Federation of the Blind of New 
York, who has unsuccessfully attempted to use the links, is also a 
named plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "By treating accessibility as an afterthought, New York City is 
discriminating against its blind citizens and relegating them to 
second-class status. The blind cannot even use this new technology in 
an emergency. This is shameful conduct on the part of the most 
populous and high-profile city in the United States, and the National 
Federation of the Blind will not tolerate this artificial limit on 
our participation."

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create 
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
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