Legal Program

The National Federation of the Blind’s legal victories have helped to drive forward disability rights case law under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, creating more equitable workplaces, classrooms, and communities for blind Americans. We focus our efforts on several key priority areas, including access to information, education, high-stakes testing, parental rights, and employment.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not a defining characteristic and that through our legal efforts we can continue to raise expectations so that blind people can live the lives they want. The work is not easy, and your continued support is needed to fund this critical work. Donate to the NFB today.

Contents

• Current Projects 
  Review the NFB’s active investigations and surveys; find out how you can help the NFB succeed in its legal work.
• Legal Support and Resources
  Learn the steps you can take to prevent and report discrimination; connect with legal resources in your area and advocate for your legal rights.
• Rulings, Filings, and Letters
  Read summaries of the NFB’s legal efforts since 2007; connect to rulings, filings, and settlement agreements.
• Stay Connected
  Ensure that you are receiving the most current NFB news and legal updates.
• Contact Us
  Call or email for more information regarding the NFB’s legal resources and assistance.

Current Projects

Rideshare Testing Program

The NFB is seeking feedback from Lyft or Uber customers who have service animals or who travel with individuals with service animals. Your feedback will be used to assess how successfully Uber and Lyft are implementing new driver training requirements and policies regarding drivers’ obligations to transport riders with service animals, as per the companies’ settlement agreements with the NFB. If you use Lyft or Uber and have a service animal or travel with someone who has a service animal, your help with this testing process is critical. Please see nfb.org/rideshare for more information or contact Valerie Yingling at [email protected] or (410) 659-9314, extension 2440.

K-12 and Higher Ed Technology Survey

The NFB is gathering information regarding the accessibility of educational technology used in our nation’s schools, kindergarten through graduate level. If you are a student, parent, teacher, or administrator who uses screen access software or other accommodations to participate nonvisually in educational programs or services, or if you are the parent, teacher, or administrator of someone who does, please complete this survey once a semester and contribute to our important research. For more information, contact Valerie Yingling at [email protected] or (410) 659-9314, extension 2440.

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Legal Support and Resources

Blind individuals who have been discriminated against, have questions about their legal protections, and/or want to prevent against future discrimination can contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at (410) 659-9314, extension 2440, or [email protected].

Filing a lawsuit is very rarely the NFB’s first course of action. We try to first resolve barriers using local resources. We teach our members to be strong self-advocates and to understand their legal rights. While the NFB may not be able to provide you with direct legal representation, we encourage you to contact our legal program and to review the following resources.

If you have questions about your federal legal protections, we recommend reviewing:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• The Rehabilitation Act
• Section 121 of the Copyright Act
• Equal Employment Opportunities Commission
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Randolph Sheppard Act and Vending Facility Program
• Social Security Administration
• Vocational Rehabilitation Regulations
• Air Carrier Access Act

If you are seeking local legal representation, we suggest contacting:

• National Disability Rights Network
• National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
• Legal Aid

Because the NFB’s legal priorities are closely connected to other initiatives at the national and state level, we recommend reviewing the following NFB resources:

• Blind Parent Resources and Information
• Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access to Education, Public Information, and Commerce (CENA)
• Government Affairs Legislative and Regulatory Information
• Jernigan Institute Education Programs
• Higher Education Accessibility Online Resource Center
• Self-Advocacy in Higher Education Toolkit Version 2.0
• High-Stakes Testing Self-Advocacy Toolkit
• National Association of Blind Merchants Division

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Rulings, Filings, and Letters

The NFB’s legal work has succeeded in improving equal access in fundamental areas of our daily lives. Many of the linked press releases below contain related complaints or settlement agreements. To obtain a filing not linked below, contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at (410) 659-9314, extension 2440, or [email protected].

Contents

• Access to Information
• Blind Parents
• Education—Higher Ed and K-12
• Employment
• High-stakes Testing
• Travel
• Voting Rights

Access to Information

UNC Health Care and Nash UNC Health Care

• December 3, 2018, National Federation of the Blind and Disability Rights North Carolina Sue UNC Health Care and Nash UNC Health Care

Walmart

• October 26, 2018, Walmart Sued by Blind Maryland Residents over Self-Service Checkout Kiosks

Container Store

• September 19, 2018, Appeals Court Rejects Container Store’s Hide-the-Contract Tricks

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union

• June 4, 2018, The Blind Will Soon Be Able to Bank with BECU through Mobile and Online Banking

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

• April 20, 2018, Medicare Information to Become Accessible to Blind Beneficiaries
• April 20, 2018, NFB-CMS Settlement Agreement

Applebee's

• January 9, 2018, New Accessibility Features Coming to PrestoPrime EMV System

Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District

• October 18, 2017, Blind School Board Member has Settled with School District

Social Security Administration

• August 28, 2017, The National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Individuals File Lawsuit against SSA for Lack of Accessible Kiosks

LinkNYC

• January 31, 2017, Access to the Blind Ensured at LinkNYC Communication Network
• January 25, 2017, NFB-CityBridge Settlement Agreement
• July 28, 2016, LinkNYC Discriminates against Blind New Yorkers and Visitors

Pursuant Health Kiosks

• July 27, 2016, AG Healey and National Federation of the Blind Announce Agreement to Make Health Care Kiosks Accessible to Blind Consumers
• Restated Accessibility Plan

Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services

• November 14, 2017, We Look Forward to Going Back to Court and Fighting for the Rights of Blind Voters
• December 8, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio Lawsuit Claims Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services Violate the ADA

Scribd

• November 19, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Scribd Agree to Collaborate to Make Reading Subscription Service Accessible to the Blind
• March 20, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling in Scribd Case
• July 29, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Files Suit against Scribd

Verifone

• July 20, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Verifone Collaborate to Make Taxicab Terminals Accessible

The Container Store

• July 20, 2015, Lawsuit Filed Today Alleges the Container Store Discriminates against the Blind

PetSmart

• April 22, 2015, PetSmart Accused of Discrimination against the Blind in New Civil Suit

Cardtronics

• February 2015, Notice of Proposed Amended and Restated Class Action Settlement and Hearing to Be Held on May 7, 2015
• November 24, 2014, Cardtronics Establishes Accessibility Center of Excellence
• December 19, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Secures Court Ruling against Cardtronics
• July 2010, NFB-Cardtronics Settlement Agreement
• June 27, 2007, National Federation of the Blind and Massachusetts Reach Agreement with Nation’s Largest ATM Deployer

Peapod

• November 21, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Department of Justice Settlement with Peapod

U.S. Department of Education Student Loans

• October 8, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Reaches Agreement with U.S. Department of Education

Small Business Administration

• June 16, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner Resolve Enforcement Action with Small Business Administration
• July 22, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Business Owner File Complaint with Small Business Administration

eBay

• June 12, 2014, eBay and the National Federation of the Blind Team to Optimize Accessibility of Site, Apps
• March 19, 2012, eBay and National Federation of the Blind Partner to Increase Ecommerce Job Opportunities

HathiTrust

• June 10, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling in Authors Guild v. HathiTrust
• November 14, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Ruling in Authors Guild v. Google
• October 11, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Court Ruling

RideCharge

• April 2, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Four Blind People File Suit against RideCharge, Inc. and Three Taxicab Companies in California

H&R Block

• March 25, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and H&R Block Announce Agreement Assuring Accessibility
• April 8, 2013, National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Taxpayers File Suit against H&R Block

U.S. Department of Transportation

• January 22, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Sues Department of Transportation Over Airline Regulations
• November 6, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Disappointed in New DOT Access Rules

Monster.com

• January 30, 2013, Monster.com First in Industry to Make Website Accessible for Blind Users

Free Library of Philadelphia

• October 23, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Settlement with Free Library of Philadelphia
• May 2, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Assists in Litigation against Free Library of Philadelphia

Sacramento Public Library

• August 30, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Settles Complaint against Sacramento Public Library

U.S. Department of State

• June 27, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint against State Department

Ticketmaster

• April 26, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Announces Agreement with Ticketmaster

McCarran International Airport

• March 30, 2011, McCarran International Airport Discriminates against Blind Passengers

Google Books

• March 22, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Rejection of Google Books Settlement
• February 18, 2010, National Federation of the Blind Supports Google Settlement in Court
• November 18, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Commends Parties to Google Settlement
• September 10, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Endorses Google Books Settlement before Congress
• October 31, 2008, Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for the Blind

Travelocity

• January 17, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Announces Agreement with Travelocity

U.S.A. Learns

• October 27, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with United States Department of Education

Apple iTunes

• September 26, 2008, National Federation of the Blind and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Announce Agreement with Apple to Make iTunes Fully Accessible

Target

• August 27, 2008, National Federation of the Blind and Target Agree to Class Action Settlement
• January 2, 2008, National Federation of the Blind Lawsuit Addressing Web Accessibility Will Proceed
• October 3, 2007, Court Ruling Says California Disabled Rights Law Applies to the Web
• September 7, 2006, Legal Precedent Set For Web Accessibility

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Blind Parents

Missouri’s Department of Social Services

• July 22, 2010, National Federation of the Blind Successful in Returning Infant to Her Parents

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Higher Education

ACS Exams

• December 12, 2018, Letter to Chemistry Department Directors and Chairs

Southern Oregon University

• March 15, 2017, Resolution Agreement

Miami University

• October 17, 2016, Blind Student Aleeha Dudley and US Department of Justice Resolve Miami University of Ohio Discrimination Case
• January 13, 2014, Blind Student Files Discrimination Suit against Miami University

Wichita State University

• August 16, 2016, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Student Reach Agreement with Wichita State University

Atlantic Cape Community College

• June 1, 2015, National Federation of the Blind and Two Blind Students Resolve Complaint against Atlantic Cape Community College
• April 15, 2014, National Federation of the Blind: Atlantic Cape Community College Discriminates against Blind Student, Bans Him from Freely Accessing Campus

edX

• April 2, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds DOJ Settlement with edX

Maricopa Community College District

• October 23, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Maricopa Community College District Resolve Litigation
• May 22, 2012, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Student File Suit against Maricopa Community College District

Palmer College of Chiropractic

• June 27, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Historic Iowa Supreme Court Decision
• November 4, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Iowa Supreme Court Case Regarding Blind People Entering the Chiropractic Medicine Field

University of Montana

• March 19, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Groundbreaking Agreement on Equal Access in Higher Education

Louisiana Tech

• July 24, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Praises DOJ Settlement with Louisiana Tech

Florida State University

• March 6, 2012, Florida State University Resolves Litigation with Students
• June 29, 2011, Blind Students Sue Florida State University for Discrimination

Penn State

• October 11, 2011, National Federation of the Blind and Penn State Resolve Accessibility Complaint
• November 12, 2010, Penn State Discriminates against Blind Students and Faculty

California Law Schools

• June 9, 2010, Law Schools Discriminate against Blind Applicants

Nine Prominent Law Schools

• May 5, 2010, Law Schools Discriminate against Blind Applicants

Arizona State University

• January 11, 2010, Blindness Organizations and Arizona State University Resolve Litigation over Kindle
• June 25, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit against Arizona State University

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K-12 Education

US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

• May 31, 2018, Disturbing Developments at the Department of Education

Douglas County School District

• March 23, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Comments on United States Supreme Court Decision Regarding Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Seattle Public Schools

• September 24, 2015, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Landmark Agreement with Seattle Public Schools
• August 21, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Supports Blind Mother’s Suit against Seattle Public Schools

Oceanport Board of Education

• May 7, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Applauds New Jersey Ruling on Braille Instruction for Blind Child

Baltimore City Public Schools

• January 4, 2012, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint against Baltimore City Public Schools

Maryland Department of Education

• July 29, 2009, National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with Maryland Department of Education

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Employment

AbilityOne

• September 26, 2018, National Federation of the Blind Sues US AbilityOne Commission

Mercy Medical Center

• July 26, 2018, Blind Woman Sues California Hospital for Employment Discrimination

Epic Systems Corporation

• July 18, 2018, National Federation of the Blind Files Discrimination Complaint with MCAD

Express Employment Professionals

• July 11, 2018, Express Employment Professionals Makes Testing Accessible to Blind Job Seekers

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

• April 23, 2018, Equal Treatment in the Workplace Means Equal Access to Technology

UCO Industries and Honda of America

• December 15, 2017, Sheltered Workshop and Honda of America Manufacturing Sued for Disability Discrimination

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services

• February 29, 2016, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Jury Verdict for Montgomery County Woman
• April 13, 2011, Montgomery County Discriminates against Blind Employee

Seneca Re-Ad

• November 19, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio and Other Advocates File Complaint on Behalf of Sheltered Workshop Employees

Social Security Administration

• November 11, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Praises Social Security Class Action Settlement
• August 24, 2009, National Federation of the Blind and Blind Social Security Beneficiary File Complaint with Social Security Administration

Henry’s Turkey Service

• May 2, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Comments on Verdict against Henry’s Turkey Service
• April 2, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Applauds DOJ Motion to Intervene in Sheltered Workshop Case

Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection

• March 27, 2013, National Federation of the Blind Assists Federal Employee Experiencing Discrimination

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway

• July 25, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Supports Blind Machinist in Employment Discrimination Suit against Railroad

New Jersey State Agencies

• May 31, 2011, National Federation of the Blind: New Jersey State Agencies Discriminate against Blind Employees

New York State Crime Victims Board

• November 13, 2008, Blind New York State Employee Unable to Perform Job Due to Inaccessible Software

Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System

• August 11, 2008, National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas Agrees to Settlement of Lawsuit over Accessibility of Software to Blind State Employees

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High-Stakes Testing

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

• February 28, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Assists Blind Woman in Litigation against Massage and Body Work Licensing Authority

PARCC, Inc.

• February 24, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Settlement with PARCC, Inc.
• January 24, 2014, National Federation of the Blind and Parents of Blind Child File Suit to Make K-12 Assessments Accessible

National Conference of Bar Examiners

• October 26, 2011, Federal Judge Issues Permanent Legal Resolution for Blind Law School Graduate Who Paved the Way for Blind Test Takers
• July 5, 2011, National Federation of the Blind Supports Lawsuit against National Conference of Bar Examiners
• January 5, 2011, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Blind Woman’s Right to Use Technology to Take Professional Examinations
• June 2, 2010, National Conference of Bar Examiners Discriminates against Blind Law School Graduates
• February 5, 2010, Federal Judge Orders the National Conference of Bar Examiners to Provide Individualized Testing Accommodations to Blind Law School Graduate

Law School Admissions Council

• April 26, 2011, National Federation of the Blind and Law School Admissions Council Agree to Settlement
• February 19, 2009, LSAC Discriminates against Blind Law School Applicants

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Travel

Greyhound

• July 17, 2018, Greyhound Website and Mobile App to Become More Accessible to Blind Users
• July 9, 2018, Explanation of Terms Regarding the Accessibility of Greyhound’s Website and Online Technology
• June 12, 2017, Blind Californians and Advocates Sue Greyhound

Lyft

• April 3, 2017, Lyft and the National Federation of the Blind Announce Comprehensive Accessibility Improvements for Lyft Riders Who Travel with Service Animals
• May 8, 2017, National Federation of the Blind Launches Ridesharing Testing Program: Organization to Monitor Uber, Lyft Efforts to Accommodate Service Animals
• January 13, 2017, NFB-Lyft Settlement Agreement and Addendum

Uber

• April 30, 2016, Groundbreaking Settlement to End Discrimination against Blind Uber Riders Who Use Guide Dogs
• April 20, 2016, NFB-Uber Settlement Agreement

United Airlines

• October 25, 2010, United Airlines Discriminates against Blind Passengers

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Voting

Alameda County

• November 2, 2018, Alameda County Will Make Voting More Accessible to the Blind
• November 1, 2018, Alameda County Settlement Agreement

New York State Board of Elections

• June 9, 2016, National Federation of the Blind and Others Sue New York over Inaccessible Online Voter Registration for People with Disabilities

Ohio Secretary of State

• January 19, 2018, Ohio Requires Accessible Absentee Ballots for the Blind
• December 8, 2015, Disability Rights Ohio Lawsuit Claims Ohio Secretary of State’s Voting Services Violate the ADA

Maryland State Board of Elections

• September 4, 2014, National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling on Access to Absentee Ballots

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Stay Connected

The NFB provides updates on legal investigations, filings, decisions, and settlements in the NFB Press Room, and by email, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Don’t miss out on critical updates; join our communication network through one or more of the following links:

The news doesn’t stop there. Read in-depth articles about the NFB’s ongoing legal and advocacy work by subscribing to our publications and blog:

Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog
Braille Monitor magazine
Future Reflections magazine for parents and educators

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Contact Us

For more information, to provide feedback regarding this webpage, or to discuss a legal concern, please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at 410-659-9314, extension 2440, or [email protected].

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