[Nfbnet-members-list] Blind Californians and Advocates Sue Greyhound
National Federation of the Blind
webmaster at nfb.org
Tue Jun 13 02:18:03 UTC 2017
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
Blind Californians and Advocates Sue Greyhound
Lawsuit Alleges Blind People Cannot Use Greyhound Website or Mobile App
San Francisco (June 12, 2017): In February of 2015 Tina Thomas, who
is blind, was planning a trip from her home in Los Angeles to Las
Vegas to visit family and friends. She tried to book the trip on
Greyhound.com, but her text-to-speech software couldn't interpret
Greyhound's website. She called Greyhound to book her trip,
explaining that she could not use the website, but Greyhound still
charged her a "convenience fee" for booking by phone. She tried to
use the website again earlier this year, but the experience had not improved.
Ms. Thomas and four other blind Californians, along with the National
Federation of the Blind, have now sued Greyhound in federal district
court. The lawsuit alleges that Greyhound has designed its website
and app so that they cannot be used by the blind. This violates the
Americans with Disabilities Act and state laws, the lawsuit says.
Blind people use screen reader software that converts the content of
websites or apps into speech or Braille. This software can easily
read text, but it cannot interpret pictures, graphics, and elements
like forms and menus if they are not coded properly.
The Worldwide Web Consortium has published in-depth guidelines on how
to make websites compatible with screen readers, known as the Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0, Level AA). Apple and
Google have also published accessibility guidelines for apps designed
for the iPhone and Android smart phones, respectively. Other major
transportation providers, such as Southwest Airlines, Amtrak, and the
ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft, have websites or apps that blind
people can use to book travel. But Greyhound has not made the needed
changes to its website or app, despite several requests from blind
people and advocates.
The lawsuit may be certified as a class action if the court approves.
The suit seeks an injunction requiring Greyhound to make the needed
changes to its website and mobile app. The case is National
Federation of the Blind et al v. Greyhound Lines, Inc. et al, case
number 3:17-cv-03368. The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy Elder
of the TRE Legal Practice,
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8640&qid=1816889>www.trelegal.com,
and by Lisa Ells and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld,
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8641&qid=1816889>www.rbgg.com.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs are interested in speaking with any
blind individuals who have been unable to use the Greyhound mobile
app or website with their screen-reader or who have been charged
convenience fees for booking tickets over the telephone.
"Without the ability to drive, blind people need travel
alternatives like Greyhound," said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the blind. "It's mystifying, not to mention
unlawful, that Greyhound makes it impossible for us to book trips in
the same ways everyone else can. Worse yet, Greyhound charges us
extra for the convenience of using the only booking methods that work
for us, the phone or the ticket counter at the bus station. Paying
for Greyhound's discrimination against us is offensive and this
unequal treatment will not be left unchallenged. "
###
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