- From: Waddell, Cynthia <cynthia.waddell@ci.sj.ca.us>
- Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 11:32:30 -0700
- To: "'W3C interest group'" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Hello- Today I received the enclosed press release on the settlement of the Americans with Disabilities lawsuit against AOL case concerning their inaccessible browser and website. Cynthia D. Waddell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: NFB: Curtis Chong 410-659-9314, ext. 349 Daniel Goldstein, Esq. 410-659-0717 Joseph Davis, Esq. 617-482-0600 Stanton Communications 410-727-6855 AOL: Rich D'Amato 703-265-1746 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND AND AMERICA ONLINE REACH AGREEMENT ON ACCESSIBILITY AOL 6.0 To Work with Screen Reader Interface Enabling Easier Navigation for the Blind NFB withdraws lawsuit against America Online, Inc. BALTIMORE, MD (7/26/00) --- On the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and America Online, Inc. (AOL) announced today that, working together, they have made "real progress in achieving their mutual goal of making the AOL service accessible to the blind." NFB also announced that it has withdrawn its complaint against the company. NFB had filed suit against AOL late last year, charging that AOL's Internet service is inaccessible to the blind, thereby violating the ADA. According to the agreement announced today, AOL will continue its existing efforts to ensure that the next version of AOL's software (AOL 6.0) is compatible with screen reader assistive technology which makes it accessible to blind users. AOL plans to release the new AOL 6.0 software this fall. Today's agreement also specifies that AOL will undertake steps to assure that the existing and future content of AOL-developed areas of the AOL service will be largely accessible to the blind. Under the Agreement, the NFB retains the right to renew its claims after a period of one year. NFB and AOL will work closely together to ensure continued progress on accessibility. In addition, AOL has underscored this commitment to accessibility by posting an accessibility policy on its Web site. In announcing the agreement, NFB President Marc Maurer stated, "The willingness of AOL to cooperate with us is a clear indication that this company values equality of opportunity for all. Their reputation for first-class interactive service is well known. Their (more) NFB Withdraws Suit/Page Two plans to ensure quality of opportunity for the blind and other people with disabilities, and their clear statement of an accessibility policy, demonstrate a first-class regard for all communities that should help to ensure that AOL remains accessible, even as its technology continues to change and improve." Barry Schuler, President, AOL Interactive Services Group, said: "We are committed to meeting the specialized needs of AOL's increasingly diverse membership. Executing our existing plans for integrating screen reader and other technologies for our disabled members is a part of that commitment. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to detail our accessibility plans to the NFB and appreciate the insight and support we received from them, and other organizations, in crafting our new Accessibility Policy. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the disabled community, and with anyone else who is dedicated to making this new medium accessible to all consumers." NFB commended AOL for its progress toward enabling popular screen reader software with the next version of its software so that the blind community can take full advantage of the many features and functions that have made the service so valuable and useful to its members. NFB's lawsuit had charged that the AOL service "is incompatible with screen access software programs for the blind." As a result, blind people did not have access to the nation's largest Internet service provider and its nearly 22 million subscribers worldwide. "We know that Internet service providers and Web site publishers were well aware of this suit. We hope they will take note of, and be guided by, this agreement and AOL's leadership on these issues," Dr. Maurer noted. He continued, "Blind people have the same need for information that sighted people have. We have enough talent and willingness to work. But we need access and opportunity." The National Federation of the Blind, headquartered in Baltimore, MD, is a 50,000-member organization of people with over 700 chapters nationwide. Established in 1940, NFB is the voice of the nation's blind, bringing together blind people from all professions and parts of the country. NFB operates the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind, which incorporates all access technology for new products that provide information to the blind. # # # --------------------------------------------------- Cynthia D. Waddell ADA Coordinator City Manager Department City of San Jose, CA USA 801 North First Street, Room 460 San Jose, CA 95110-1704 (408)277-4034 (408)971-0134 TTY (408)277-3885 FAX http://www.icdri.org/cynthia_waddell.htm
Received on Wednesday, 26 July 2000 14:33:20 UTC