[Flagdu] Blind Students Sue Florida State University for Discrimination

[Sherri]

Got a message on Twitter about this. Very interesting.

Sherri

Blind Students Sue Florida State University for Discrimination
6/29/2011


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

Blind Students Sue Florida State University for Discrimination
National Federation of the Blind Outraged at University's Actions
Baltimore, Maryland (June 29, 2011): With the assistance of the National 
Federation of the Blind, two blind students-Christopher Shane Toth and Jamie 
Ann Principato-filed suit today against Florida State University (FSU) and 
its board of trustees.  The suit alleges that FSU's Department of 
Mathematics discriminated against Mr. Toth and Ms. Principato by failing to 
provide them with proper accommodations so that they could successfully 
complete required math courses for their respective degree programs.  The 
violations include requiring the students to use an inaccessible Web-based 
application to complete homework assignments, tests, and quizzes; requiring 
the use of clickers that cannot be used by a blind person to respond to 
in-class questions and obtain bonus credit; failing to provide Braille 
versions of the required textbooks in violation of agreed-upon accommodation 
plans; and engaging in retaliatory actions when the students complained of 
these violations.  In all cases, faculty members in the Department of 
Mathematics were generally uncooperative, unhelpful, and even hostile, and 
did not provide meaningful alternative methods for Mr. Toth and Ms. 
Principato to successfully complete the required courses.  As a result, both 
students are currently unable to continue their degree programs and find 
their careers indefinitely on hold.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: 
"Discrimination against blind students is all too common, but it rarely 
stems from actual animus towards the students.  This case, however, involves 
the repeated, deliberate, and intentional disregard of the rights of these 
two students, whose academic records have now suffered irreparable damage 
and who have suffered lost opportunities, emotional distress, embarrassment, 
humiliation, and retaliation by university officials.  The National 
Federation of the Blind will not stand for this outrageous treatment of 
blind students and we will continue to support this lawsuit as fully as 
necessary in order to ensure that these young people are compensated for the 
egregious conduct of faculty and staff in FSU's Department of Mathematics."

The plaintiffs are represented in this matter by Daniel F. Goldstein, Sharon 
Krevor-Weisbaum, and Brooke E. Lierman of the Baltimore firm Brown, 
Goldstein, and Levy; and Matthew Dietz of the Miami firm Law Offices of 
Matthew W. Dietz, P.L.


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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the 
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the 
United States.   The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, 
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and 
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and 
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.






©2011 All Rights Reserved - Copyright 2011 NFB
Sherri Brun
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