[Iabs-talk] FW: Greyhound Website and Mobile App to Become More Accessible to Blind Users

Wed Jul 18 00:15:33 UTC 2018

Denise R. Avant, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

(773)-991-8050

Live the life you want.

For more information about NFBI,

go to www.nfbofillinois.org.

From: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 2:20 PM
To: NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>; State Presidents <StatePresidents at nfb.org>
Subject: Greyhound Website and Mobile App to Become More Accessible to Blind Users

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Category: National

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 

National Federation of the Blind Reaches Comprehensive Agreement with Greyhound

San Francisco (July 17, 2018): Greyhound has committed to make its website (www.greyhound.com/ <https://www.greyhound.com/> ) and mobile apps more accessible to blind passengers who use screen-reader software to access these services. An agreement with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) resolves a lawsuit filed by the NFB <https://nfb.org/blind-californians-and-advocates-sue-greyhound>  and five blind California residents who had trouble using the website.

Under the agreement, Greyhound will ensure that greyhound.com and the mobile apps allow blind users to gain the same information and engage in the same transactions with an ease of use substantially equivalent to that of a sighted person using the same browser or operating system without screen-reader software. Changes needed to accomplish this goal will be made in less than a year. Until then, Greyhound will inform blind passengers of alternative methods for purchasing bus tickets on the website and mobile apps. The website and mobile apps will also clearly state Greyhound's longstanding policy that blind passengers who self-identify to customer service representatives and state that they have had difficulty using the website or mobile apps will not be charged any call center booking fee or other additional charge solely because they have used the Call Center under these circumstances. The National Federation of the Blind will conduct a "secret shopper" program to report to Greyhound whether the operators at its call centers are following this policy.

"We commend Greyhound for agreeing to remove access barriers on its website and mobile apps on a robust timeline," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "We further commend the company for its commitment to treat blind passengers fairly when we are unable to complete transactions through its website or apps, and urge other transportation providers to follow Greyhound's example in both respects. The National Federation of the Blind will work closely with Greyhound to help ensure that booking passage on its bus service is a fully accessible experience for current and future blind passengers."

"As we complete our work on our new websites and mobile apps, we are grateful to have the assistance of the capable and committed members of the leadership of the National Federation of the Blind in ensuring that these websites and apps are easy to use and fully and equally accessible to all of our customers," said Todd Koch, Vice President of strategy and business development, Greyhound Lines, Inc.

The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy Elder and Anna Levine of the TRE Legal Practice, www.trelegal.com <http://www.trelegal.com> , and by Lisa Ells and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP, www.rbgg.com <http://www.rbgg.com> .

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About the National Federation of the Blind 

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages, and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org.

About Greyhound 

Greyhound, a FirstGroup plc company, is the only national provider of scheduled intercity coach services in the U.S. and Canada. Based in Dallas, Greyhound provides scheduled passenger services to 3,200 destinations carrying approximately 18 million passengers a year. The company’s point-to-point service, Greyhound Express, serves more than 135 markets and also operates brands for local markets including BoltBus, Lucky Streak casino service and Greyhound Connect. Greyhound is the first U.S.-based intercity bus company to operate domestic service within Mexico as well as international connections to Texas. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets, call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com <http://www.greyhound.com> . For the latest news and travel deals, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GreyhoundBus <http://www.twitter.com/GreyhoundBus> . Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus <http://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus> , follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/greyhoundlines <http://www.instagram.com/greyhoundlines> , download a high resolution photo at www.bit.ly/GreyhoundBusPhotos <http://www.bit.ly/GreyhoundBusPhotos> , or follow our award winning blog, The Hound, at www.bloggreyhound.com <http://www.bloggreyhound.com> .